Moore could fall to Pittsburgh at #17 overall. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Damontre Moore, Defensive End/Outside Linebacker, Texas A&M

Moore has fallen casuality [sic] due to a terrible combine. He was atrocious in the drills he ran in comparison to how much he’d been talked up leading to the combine.  But unlike Star Lotulelei who was a top 3 pick in some mocks, Moore’s bad combine is a fixable project and one that the Steelers would love to be in charge of.  They’re agin [sic] up front and having Moore, a guy they could even slide to Outside Linebacker, on their team is not the worst idea in the world.

From a “talented player falling” standpoint, I would do cartwheels in my living room if Damontre Moore fell all the way down to the Steelers at #17 overall.  I mean, what is there not to like about Moore if you are the G.M. of a team in need of a pass-rushing threat?  The former Aggie has a terrific OLB/DE “Tweener” build at 6’4” 250 lbs., he possesses both speed and power pass-rushing moves which he put on display in college, and he proved time and again over his career at Texas A&M that he could rush the opposing Quarterback with success.  I should also add that Moore found success as a pass-rusher in one of college football’s most “Pass Happy” Conferences in the Big XII back in 2011, and again this past year in college football’s most “Talented” Conference in the form of the S.E.C..

Over the last two years, Moore emerged as one of College Football’s best Pass-Rushers after he replaced Von Miller at the “Joker” position in the Aggies’ Defensive front.  As a Sophomore in 2011, Moore racked up 72 Tackles, 8.5 Sacks, and a team-leading 17.5 Tackles for Loss (TFL’s) during his first year as a starter.  Moore transitioned to a full-time Defensive End this past year, and he proved to be even more productive as a pass-rusher when he registered 85 Tackles, and led Texas A&M in Sacks (12.5) and TFL’s (21.5)!

Many, including myself, believe that Moore has Top 10 talent as a pass-rushing prospect.  Unfortunately for Moore, his stock is plummeting right now due to a piss-poor showing at The Combine as Hill alluded to earlier.  But how bad was Damontre’s performance in Indianapolis exactly?  Well, let’s just say that his poor workout could very well drive him down to the middle of Round 1 come Draft Weekend.

Moore’s 40 Yard Dash was downright ridiculous for a player who was billed as possibly the #1 Pass-Rusher in this year’s Class.  With a time of 4.95 seconds, Damontre looked more like the fictional Rudy Zoltek of “Little Giants” fame running the 40 than his predecessor at Texas A&M.  Back in February of 2011, it was Miller who ran under a 4.5 when he went to Indianapolis and used that stage to solidify his place as a Top 3 pick.  Moore also failed miserably in his Bench Press workout, and only lifted 225 lbs. a whopping 12 Times!  To be fair, the former Aggie did complain about a hamstring injury being the key to his sub-par performances.  Yet one has to question why Moore would do so miserably during those drills, but performed ridiculously well in his Broad Jump (122.0″) and Vertical Jump (35.5″) workouts?

But not only did Moore do poorly in some of The Combine’s most important drills for Pass-Rushers, he apparently interviewed poorly too.  If the bad interview rumors hold any weight, questions will be abound about his character over the next two months also.  The former Aggie Defensive End was arrested in 2011 for Marijuana possession, and one N.F.L. scout even said in Pro Football Weekly’s “2013 Draft Guide” that the Junior pass-rusher is “a mess off the field” (via Akron Beacon Journal).

With all of these recent negatives working against him, Moore will need to put on a show at his Pro Day this Friday, March 8th.  As long as he proves that his Combine numbers are a fluke, and that he can be a good citizen off the field, I see no reason why his stock should not rise significantly over the next two months.

But G.M.’s and scouts must be vigilant and keen to assess if Moore is in fact an immature and lazy player whose productivity will plummet once his talent begins to fade in his mid-20’s and he has to actually put forth effort and work (cough*LaMarr Woodley*cough).  If Moore is unable convince N.F.L. personnel people that he is not that type of player and person, I can totally understand him being a risk not work taking a chance on in the Top 20 of the Draft.

Pittsburgh’s Outside Linebackers only recorded a whopping 15.0 Sacks combined during the 2012 regular season.  Thus, some changes need to be made, and some talent needs to be added at the positional unit.  In the event that Moore, or another highly touted Pass-Rusher, falls to the Steelers in the middle of Round 1, it will definitely be interesting to see whether or not Pittsburgh’s brass decides to upgrade their anemic pass-rush with a talented player who has multiple questions surrounding them like the former Aggie.

Readers: Should the Steelers take a chance on Moore if he falls to them?  Will they wait until later to select a Pass-Rusher?

Stats Provided by: Florida State, Georgia, L.S.U., Texas A&M, and ESPN.com

Heights & Weights Courtesy of: NFL.com Scouting Combine Page

Feb 25, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Brigham Young Cougars defensive lineman Ziggy Ansah runs the 40 yard dash during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Ezekiel “Ziggy” Ansah, Defensive End/Outside Linebacker, Brigham Young University

Pittsburgh is reportedly in love with Ansah and they hope he will be available when they are on the clock in April. Ansah would fit in perfectly at outside linebacker in the Steelers 3-4 defense and would bring some much needed youth and speed to the aging unit.

As one of this year’s most captivating yet tremendously athletic players, it would not shock me in the least to see the former Cougar going as high as #5 to Detroit in this April’s Draft.  If Ansah somehow falls to the supposedly interested Steelers at #17, I will be even more intrigued to see whether or not Pittsburgh’s brass make the developmental Outside Linebacker their 1st Round selection.

What to Like About Ansah…

From what I watched of Ezekiel Ansah, I would have to say that the potential is there for him to be a terrific pro player.  For a guy his size (6’5″ 271 lbs.), “Ziggy” possesses a ridiculous amount of strength, speed (4.63, 40 Yard Dash), and agility.  Do not get me wrong, Ansah is a extremely as a pass-rusher, and his technique and hand-placement could use some work when he gets locked in with Offensive Linemen.  Yet ”Ziggy’s” athleticism bodes well for him to learn an array of moves and counter-moves as a pass-rushing Outside Linebacker at the pro level.

Ansah’s versatility is what also should help to drive him up draft boards around the League.  Not only did he line up at his Defensive End position in B.Y.U.’s 3-4 Defense, but he also line up along the Interior of their Defensive Line, and even as an outside pass-rusher when the situations called for him to do so.  During his Senior season, Ansah emerged as arguably the Cougars’ best Defensive player and registered 62 Tackles, 13.0 TFL’s, 4.5 Sacks, 1 Forced Fumble, and 1 Interception.  Amazingly, the B.Y.U. Defensive End recorded 9 Pass Breakups as well last year, and showed off his J.J. Watt-like skills when he swatted passes down near the line of scrimmage.

As we are heading towards March, even if James Harrison’s contract is restructured, the Steelers will still have a need for depth and future starters at Outside Linebacker.  So if Ansah does fall to them, the idea of the pick itself would make sense.  Yet as effective as Ansah was last year for the Cougars, and as incredible as his talent-ceiling is down the road, I nevertheless have some skepticism regarding how well he will ultimately translate to the N.F.L., especially early in his career.

Why Ansah Is Not a Good Fit, and Why I Hope the Steelers Look Elsewhere…

At least to me, Ansah is not the type of “plug & play” player who the Steelers need at the moment, and has too many questions surrounding him for the Steelers to consider taking a gamble on a player like him.  The raw athleticism and skill-set are there to develop, there is no denying that.

Yet Ansah is just an incredibly inexperienced player at this stage of his life.  In fact, “Ziggy” has only played THREE YEARS of organized football, EVER!  And regardless of what his most ardent supporters believe, a significant amount of time will to be taken for Ziggy to hone his skill-set, develop pass-rushing moves, work on his leverage, and eventually develop into an every-down player at the professional level.

For example, Ansah will have to deal with the incredible athleticism and discipline of some of the N.F.L.’s best Offensive Tackles when he finally arrives at the professional level.  No offense to B.Y.U.’s competition last year, but I would say that guys like the Browns Joe Thomas and the Bengals Andrew Whitworth are much more capable of handling what Ansah throws at them from a pass-rushing perspective than an Offensive Tackle from Utah State, San Diego State, or Hawai’i could ever do against him back in 2012.  What happens when the Tackles are not only more athletic than him, but also more aggressive than him?  What happens when Marshall Yanda pulls on a play and absolutely flattens him?

Then again, Ansah will likely have to learn the Steelers’ apparently “complex” and “difficult” Defensive scheme to even see the field under Dick LeBeau’s regime, and we have seen multiple Draft Picks rot on the bench for extended periods in recent memory.  If in fact LeBeau gets his way in that scenario, the Steelers might not receive a large amount of production from the already 23 year-old player until possibly his 3rd or 4th year in the League!

While giving Ansah time to develop would be the right call, I still must ask the following questions…

• What is the point of drafting a player so high, for likely zero productivity in the short term?
• Will Ansah be capable of developing adequate moves and counter-moves against N.F.L. caliber Tackles?
• How many years can Ansah start before he reaches UFA status?
  
• Will he get frustrated and discouraged if he doesn’t play regularly, or cannot contribute right away? 
• What will happen to his confidence if fails miserably at the beginning of his career due to his inexperience? 
• How will he respond to criticism if he doesn’t produce after a substantial investment is made in him?
• Of his teammates on the Defensive side of the ball, whom can Ansah turn to in the locker room for help as he adjusts?

Final Thoughts

If we revved up the DeLorean to 88 MPH and went back to say 2008, 2009, 2010, or even 2011, I would be totally excited with the thought of the Steelers selecting Ansah with their 1st Round pick.  In fact, I would be a strong proponent of the Steelers trading into the Top 10 to select him. But you know what readers?  It’s not 2008!  Back in those days, the Steelers were a stacked and contending team with legitimate Super Bowl hopes.  In those days, they possessed the luxury of taking chances on raw athletes like Ansah because they had the roster depth and the cap space to support it.  Heck, they even did something similar when they thought that they could successfully turn 2009 1st Round pick Evander Hood into an effective 2-Gap Defensive End almost four years ago.

Like it or not readers, but the Steelers will need all the draft selections they can get over the next few years just to get back to a competitive level within their own Division, and yes I’m even including the Browns.  Thus, for Colbert & Co. to go “all in” on a player who started only one season of major college football, while possibly even trading some valuable picks in the process to obtain him would be a somewhat asinine and misguided decision.

Who knows though? Maybe the franchise’s supposed “love” for Ansah is simply a “smoke-screen” meant to force other teams in front and behind them to show their proverbial “hands’” and over-draft the former Cougar?

What I do know is that I am definitely not on the “Draft Ansah No Matter the Cost” Bandwagon.

Player Stats & Measurements Courtesy of: B.Y.U. and NFL.com Scouting Combine Page

So why exactly is what I stated above relevant to today’s discussion?

Jones was one of Georgia’s best Defensive players over the last two years. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports

Well, it’s relevant because the possibility might just exist for one of the 2013 Draft Class’ top-tier pass-rushers to fall to the pass-rush-needy Steelers who currently sit at #17 overall in Round 1.

But players like Bjoern Werner, Damontre Moore, Jarvis Jones, and Barkevious Mingo can’t fall to Pittsburgh all the way in the middle of the 1st Round, can they?

Jarvis Jones

As I pointed out in a previous post, Jones’ stock on draft day could potentially go into a free-fall due to concerns over his “spinal stenosis.”  The condition, which is a narrowing of the spinal column, happened when Jones sustained a neck injury when he was a Freshman back in 2009 when he was at Southern Cal.  The Trojans would not let him back on the field after his injury, so Jones transferred to the University of Georgia after they cleared him medically to play back in 2010.  Over the last two years, Jones has emerged as one of college football’s most incredible pass-rushers as he has logged a combined 155 Tackles, 28.0 Sacks, and an incredible 45.0 Tackles For Loss.

As far as scheme versatility goes however, Jones has enough athleticism and positional versatility to play at Outside Linebacker in a 4-3 and a 3-4 Defensive scheme.  Furthermore, like Denver’s Von Miller, Jones also has the ability to pass-rush, and pass-rush effectively from all sorts of different spots on the field.  So while Jarvis’ medical issue could hurt him, I still believe that the former Bulldog defender will be high on the Jets’ board.  Why exactly?  Well, not only do the Jets need an Outside Linebacker, but Jone is a similar player to Bruce Irvin, a pass-rusher who the franchise wanted to select in Round 1 of last year’s Draft.

If Jones falls past the Jets though, then things will get interesting.  In fact, Jones could very well be “in play” for the Steelers to select at #17 overall as only the Chargers at #11 and the Saints at #15 have large needs at Outside Linebacker in front of them in Round 1.

Barkevious Mingo

As far as Barkevious Mingo is concerned, his draft stock could slip in large part due to issues surrounding his scheme versatility.  By “scheme versatility” I mean that teams who employ Base 4-3 Defensive schemes with high selections could shy away from Mingo as a Defensive End prospect due to his current lack of bulk and weight (6’4″ 241 lbs.).  Granted, Mingo definitely has the frame to add another 25-30 lbs., but it could take upwards of two years before the former Tiger pass-rusher can grow big enough to develop into an “Every-Down” 4-3 Defensive End.  Thus, some teams in the Top 5 and Top 10 who are unwilling to wait and want productivity and an “Every-Down” Defensive End early, could inevitably shy away from the ridiculously athletic Louisiana State player.

I should also point out that Mingo’s productivity as a Senior was not exactly awe-inspiring for scouts either.  Although the former Bayou Bengal made some highlight-reel plays and flashed athleticism all over the field, he only logged 38 Tackles, 8.5 Tackles For Loss, and 4.5 Sacks on the entire season.

On a side-note, I for one would much rather see the Steelers draft Barkevious than take a gamble on Ezekiel Ansah of B.Y.U..  Not only does Mingo have more than three years of organized football experience, he also played at bar-none the best level of collegiate football in the S.E.C..  Sure, Ansah might have scouts drooling over his height, speed, and weight ratio, but I would rather take the raw prospect with more experience and just as much upside.  I should also add that of all the players I list, Mingo might not last all the way until the 17th overall selection.  In spite of his minimal production last year, his athleticism at The Combine showed through when he ran a 4.58 40 Yard Dash and managed to record a Vertical Jump of 37 Inches.

At least to me, Mingo would be a perfect addition to the Steelers’ roster as he could contribute right away in pass-rushing and sub-package situations.  During his developmental period, Barkevious could concurrently add bulk and fine tune the rest of his game as an Outside Linebacker to emerge as a solid compliment to LaMarr Woodley (if he loses weight) and Jason Worilds.

Werner enjoyed a terrific career with the Seminoles. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

Bjoern Werner

What could likely hurt Bjoern Werner’s stock the most on Draft Weekend is his lack of experience playing football.  The former German exchange student had only played two years of flag football and one year of tackle football in his homeland before he moved to America during his Junior year of High School and then at Florida State.  While he definitely is not as raw as Ziggy Ansah, scouts could inevitably question his experience.  Furthermore, Werner also failed to “wow” at The Combine like Dion Jordan or Ansah.  Overall, Werner posted only pedestrian numbers in the 40 Yard-Dash (4.83) and the Bench Press (25 reps of 225 lbs.).

To his credit though, Werner, who measured in at 6’3″ 266 lbs. at The Combine, was consistent and productive as a Defensive End for the Seminoles this past year, and logged 13.0 Sacks and 18.0 Tackles For Loss.  Some scouts and Draft pundits (including Mike Mayock) recently have been more than willing though to ignore Werner’s productivity and have instead focused on his apparent lack of athleticism and ability to be a “dynamic pass rusher.”  I understand that Werner does not possess the type of agility and quickness of a Mingo, Ansah, or a Jordan.  Yet the former Seminole Defensive End has a terrific combination of speed and power for a guy his size, and possesses a great amount of discipline to play against the run as well.

I understand that there are some who might believe that Werner is a “4-3 Defensive End-Only” at the professional level.  Granted, Bjoern was a down-Lineman during his entire collegiate career, and was definitely guy who was not asked to play very much in pass coverage.  Yet for those of you Steeler fans who do not believe he can help the team, let me say this: There is a certain $61.5 Million Dollar Man on the Steelers roster who actually weighed in at the same amount as Werner at his own Pro Day in 2007 (266 lbs.), and possessed a similar frame and positional skill-set coming out of college.

Remember, Woodley was a down-Lineman at the University of Michigan, and could have been considered “too big” to become an Outside Linebacker at his frame.  I even remember thinking the Steelers would move to a 4-3 Defense when they used their first two selections on a 4-3 Outside Linebacker like Lawrence Timmons, and a Defensive End like Woodley.

Anyways, while the Steelers have usually developed college Defensive Ends who are 245 lbs. and under into Outside Linebackers (Joey Porter and Clark Haggans), they have also found success with bigger players (250 lbs.+) like Woodley and Jason Gildon, and are now attempting to do the same with Jason Worilds and Adrian Robinson.  Whether or not Pittsburgh’s brass believe that Werner has the ability to play in space against the pass, or can make the transition to a stand-up player is solely up to them.  But if the pass-rushing German is there for Colbert & Co. to take, do not be shocked if he is their 1^st Round selection.

Damontre Moore

Once thought to be a Top 10 lock, Damontre Moore could be in danger of falling into the middle of the 1st Round.  Moore’s recent stock drop is a bit of a surprise considering how well Moore replaced Von Miller at Texas A&M over the last two years.  Overall, Damontre recorded 21.0 Sacks and 39.0 Tackles For Loss for the Aggies during the 2011 and 2012 seasons, and was arguably the S.E.C.’s best pass-rusher this past season not named Jarvis Jones.

Unfortunately, Moore’s Combine performance left much to be desired, and it along with many other things could cause him to free-fall in the 1st Round.  Overall, the former Aggie ran a slow 40 (4.95), and posted a paltry 12 reps during his bench press session.  Damontre blamed his poor showing on a bad hamstring, especially when it came to his 40 time, so it will be interesting to see what transpires between now and Moore’s Pro Day before the Draft.  Much like Mingo, Moore could also fall if 4-3 teams in need of Defensive Ends do not consider a player with his “Tweener” frame, 6’4″ 250 lbs., to be a good fit at the position, especially if questions about his overall strength to be a down-Lineman persist past his underwhelming Combine.

Damonte’s stock could also fall victim to specific character concerns centered around past off-field issues.  During the Summer of 2011, Moore was arrested for marijuana possession when he was in College Station.  In addition to his arrest, the pass-rusher apparently did not draw rave reviews from scouts as one said in Pro Football Weekly’s “2013 Draft Guide” that the Junior pass-rusher is “a mess off the field” (via Akron Beacon Journal).

While Moore showed contrition for his actions (also in the article), it might not be enough for him to regain his Top 10 status unless he absolutely blows people away at his Pro Day workout and in his interviews.  Future Pro Day performance aside, I will definitely be interested to see what Pittsburgh’s strategy is regarding Moore if he falls to them.  6’4″ 250 lb. Defensive Ends who illustrated an effective combination of speed, strength, and relentlessness during their collegiate career as a pass-rusher are not always available for pass-rusher-needy teams picking 17th overall in Round 1 of a Draft.  The Steelers have taken chances on players with “character-issues” before (Mike Adams, Alameda Ta’amu, and Chris Rainey most recently), so Moore could be a possibility at #17 overall if a B.P.A. scenario occurs.

Final Thoughts

First of all, let me state again that I do not believe that all of these players will be sitting there for the Steelers to select with the 17th overall pick.  In fact, that would be downright ludicrous, and I would question the sense of some specific franchises picking in front of Pittsburgh with pass-rushing needs.  Yet each of these players face issues surrounding scheme-versatility, past injuries, and inexperience which could plummet them down draft boards around the League.

What could also cause some of these players I mentioned to fall is the idea that Pass-Rusher-needy teams in front of Pittsburgh are going to become more and more enamored with the overall potential and raw athleticism of guys like Dion Jordan of Oregon and Ezekiel Ansah of B.Y.U..  Jordan has drawn just comparisons to Aldon Smith of the 49ers, and regardless of the former Cougar’s lack of experience, I am positive that some team in the Top 12 will be enamored with Ansah and what he could turn into at the pro level.

And don’t forget readers, teams in the Top 10-15 are always liable to reach for Quarterbacks, especially with the Rookie wage-scale in place.  Thus, signal-callers like Geno Smith, Mike Glennon, and Matt Barkley could all be taken in the first half of the 1st Round if teams like Kansas City, Jacksonville, Arizona, Buffalo, or even the New York Jets decide to roll the dice on one of them, or another team trades up to acquire one.

Regardless of what transpires over the next two months though, the Steelers might be able to stand pat at #17 and find themselves in a prime spot to select a talented pass-rusher who falls to them.  While I can guarantee that not all four players I discussed above will be available to Pittsburgh in the middle of Round 1, one or possibly two could be.  If those events inevitably happen, the pass-rush-needy Steelers will definitely have themselves an interesting choice to make at #17 overall, as well as some interesting risks to ponder.

Readers:  Do you believe that any of these prospects I listed above will fall to the Steelers?  If you answered “yes,” should Pittsburgh’s brass select them if they are able to do so?  Which Round 1 pass-rusher would you most like to see Colbert & Co. take?

Stats Provided by: Florida State, Georgia, L.S.U., Texas A&M, and ESPN.com

Heights & Weights Courtesy of: NFL.com Scouting Combine Page

Don’t worry everybody, I’ll add trades and move prospects up and down the draft board once The Scouting Combine, Pro Days, and Free Agency periods begin.  But for now, let’s get started on this fourth installment:

Round 1

1. Kansas City Chiefs: Geno Smith QB (West Virginia)

This pick will gain much more clarity once we see what the Chiefs do during the Free Agency period.  If Left Tackle Branden Albert leaves as a UFA, and the Chiefs trade for/sign a Quarterback (Nick Foles), then Luke Joeckel will be an obvious choice at #1 overall.  If Kansas City is unable to trade for a Quarterback, and do hold onto Albert long-term, new Head Coach Andy Reid could try to work his QB magic with Geno Smith.  The accurate former Mountaineer (2012: 369 for 518 (71.2%), 4,205 Yards, 42 TD’s, and 6 INT’s) would be a solid fit as the Chiefs begin the long process of rebuilding.

2. Jacksonville Jaguars: Bjoern Werner DE (Florida State)

Although the Jason Babin signing helped, Jacksonville would be wise to bolster their pass-rush early in this year’s Draft.  The Jaguars ranked last in the League with a total of 20.0 Sacks last year, and had their fair share of issues putting consistent pressure on opposing Quarterbacks.  Jacksonville’s pass-rush was so anemic that Defensive Tackle Tyson Alualu led the team with a measly 3.5 Sacks.  Although the German-born Werner (6’4″ 256 lbs.) is relatively new to the game football, he continued to improve his pass-rushing skills as he logged 18.0 Tackles For Loss (TFL’s) and 13.0 Sacks from his Defensive End position.

3. Oakland Raiders: Star Lotulelei DT (Utah)

Without Al Davis running things, General Manager Reggie McKenzie will be able to upgrade the interior of Oakland’s Defensive Line with the best Defensive Tackle in this year’s class.  Tommy Kelly has proved to be an absolute disaster since he signed his 7-year $50.125 million dollar contract, and the Raiders could also lose Desmond Bryant to Free Agency this offseason as well.  Despite being double-teamed and keyed on for much of the season,  Lotulelei was a 1st Team All-Pac-12 performer in 2012 as he amassed 42 Tackles, 5.0 Sacks, 11.0 TFL’s, Forced 3 Fumbles, and Recovered 4.  McKenzie used a Top 10 selection on B.J. Raji when he was in Green Bay, and if Lotulelei falls to Oakland, I could see him going in that direction once again this April.

4. Philadelphia Eagles: Luke Joeckel OT (Texas A&M)

The Eagles’ Offensive Line was an injury-plagued “dumpster fire” last year, and help is needed at multiple positions including Left and Right Tackle.  Demetress Bell and King Dunlap played horribly, and Jason Peters suffered another season-ending injury.   Joeckel falling would be a dream scenario for the Eagles, and the team would definitely benefit from the addition of the Aggies’ blind-side protector over the last three years (39 Games, 39 Starts).  The 6’6″ 310 lb. Joeckel was the 2012 Outland Award winner, a 2012 consensus All-American, and a solid fit in an Offensive system which values athleticism from the Offensive Linemen.

5. Detroit Lions: DeMarcus Milliner CB (Alabama)

Detroit’s Defense is in need of some play-makers at the Cornerback position.  If the Lions, who had the 4th fewest Interceptions in 2012 are not interested in any of the pass-rushers who fall to them in Round 1, DeMarcus Milliner would be an appropriate and heady choice.  The 6’1 198 lb. Milliner had a terrific 2012 season with the Crimson Tide as he put up an incredible 22 Passes Defended over the team’s 14 games, and added 54 Tackles and 2 Interceptions to his statline as well.  Milliner fits well in man and zone schemes, and should be a solid N.F.L. Cornerback.

6. Cleveland Browns: Ezekiel Ansah DE/OLB (Brigham Young)

New Defensive Coordinator Ray Horton will probably want to improve the Browns’ pass-rush as the team transitions to a 3-4 scheme.  Luckily for Horton, he will likely get to choose from Ezekiel Ansah, Barkevious Mingo, and Jarvis Jones once Cleveland is on the clock.  Jabaal Sheard (7.0 Sacks) and Juqua Parker (6.0) could use some help attacking the passer, and the Browns need a more formidable pass-rush when they face Ben Roethlisberger, Joe Flacco, and Ginger Spice six times per season.  Although he is newer to the game of football, Ansah had a fine 2012 season as he made 62 Tackles, 13.0 TFL’s, 4.5 Sacks during his first year as a starter.

7. Arizona Cardinals: Mike Glennon QB (North Carolina State)

If the Cardinals do not elect to take Eric Fisher at #7, or he does not fall to them there, then I can see the franchise going in the direction of a Quarterback with their 1st Round selection.  Because the Quarterback cupboard is basically bare for new Head Coach Bruce Arians, Arizona could take a chance on the massive Mike Glennon (6’7″ 220 lbs.).  The tall yet surprisingly athletic North Carolina State prospect did a fine job during his two years as a starter (4,031 Yards Passing and 31 TD’s in 2012) after he took over for Russell Wilson in 2011.  Although Glennon’s Completion Percentage from last season (58.4%) might be a cause for concern, Glennon’s rifle-arm is sure to drive him up draft boards around the League.

8. Buffalo Bills: Damontre Moore DE (Texas A&M)

If both Glennon and Smith are gone by the 8th overall pick, the Bills might be enticed to bolster their ailing Defense early, then either trade up to grab a signal-caller or wait until Day 2.  Buffalo could select Kenny Vaccaro at #8 if Jairus Byrd leaves, but it wouldn’t hurt the Bills to amp up their pass-rush (2012: 36.0 Sacks ranked 18th) if a player like Damontre Moore falls to them.  At 6’4″ 250 lbs., Moore led the Aggies last year in Tackles (85), TFL’s 21.0, Sacks (12.5), and even blocked 2 Kicks as he emerged as one of the S.E.C.’s best pass-rushers.

9. New York Jets: Jarvis Jones OLB (Georgia)

2013 could be Rex Ryan’s “Last Stand” in New York, and I believe that if Jarvis Jones falls to him and the pass-rushing-needy Jets, he will be more than willing to take a chance on the former Georgia Bulldog whose “spinal stenosis” could scare teams away early.  2012 1st Round pick Quinton Coples (5.5 Sacks) and 2011 1st Round pick Muhammad Wilkerson (5.0 Sacks) were very productive last season as they supplied heat from their 5-Technique Defensive End spots, positions I might add which are not supposed to generate many Sacks.  Thus, the Jets might benefit from a player like Jones (6’4″ 242 lbs.) who racked up 24.5 TFL’s and 14.5 Sacks during his Senior season.

10. Tennessee Titans: Shariff Floyd DT (Florida)

Sen’Derrick Marks is an impending UFA and Tennessee could stand to use another stout Defensive Tackle to add to the mix with Jurrell Casey and Mike Martin if Marks indeed leaves.  Floyd (6’3″ 303 lbs.) played both Defensive End and Defensive Tackle at Florida, although he probably played his best football last season on the interior as he displayed a surprising combination of agility, power, and quickness for a man his size.  Overall, Floyd notched 46 Tackles, 3.0 Sacks, and a team-leading 13.0 TFL’s during his Junior season, and could garner interest from teams who employ 3-4 and 4-3 Defensive schemes this offseason.

11. San Diego Chargers: Eric Fisher OT (Central Michigan)

San Diego gave up 49.0 Sacks last year (4th most in the League), and could definitely use as many talented Offensive Linemen as they can get as Rivers enters his 10th season in the N.F.L..  The 6’7″ 305 lbs. Fisher was a 1st Team All-MAC performer last year, and also possesses some versatility to his game.  Although he played most of his collegiate career at Left Tackle, he did start games earlier during his time with the Chippewas at Right Tackle and Right Guard, so the Chargers could find another place for him if the blind-side is not a great fit.  If Fisher falls to San Diego at #11, I cannot see them selecting any other player.

12. Miami Dolphins: Cordarrelle Patterson WR (Tennessee)

Do not get me wrong, Davonne Bess is a fine slot Wide Receiver, and Brian Hartline is a solid #2 target.  But if the Dolphins are serous about taking Ryan Tannehill’s game to the next level, they could stand to draft their franchise Quarterback an explosive and play-making #1 pass-catcher.  The 6’3″ 205 lb. Junior was a phenomenal Kick Returner and Wide Receiver at the Junior College level before he came to Knoxville this past year, and boy did he make a splash in 2012.  Over 11 Games, Patterson caught 42 passes for 690 Yards and 4 TD’s, he rushed for 270 Yards and 3 TD’s, and returned 1 Kickoff and 1 Punt for TD’s.  Although his skill-set is still very raw, Patterson just makes plays when he has the football in his hands, and teams must respect his speed.

13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Kenny Vaccaro FS (Texas)

If the Buccaneers look to draft another Safety early, they might be wise to target the talented Kenny Vaccaro (6’1″ 218 lbs.) to begin the rebuilding process in their Secondary.  Vaccaro was the Longhorns’ leading Tackler last year (104) and added 4.0 TFL’s, 2 Forced Fumbles, and made 2 INT’s last year.  A two-and-a-half year starter at Texas (31 Starts, 50 Games), the physical Vaccaro played both Free and Strong Safety during his collegiate career, and can help out with coverage in the slot too.  Pairing Vaccaro with Mark Barron would give the Buccaneers two of the game’s best young Safeties.

14. Carolina Panthers: Sheldon Richardson DT (Missouri)

Although the Panther’s Defense improved this past year, issues still exist along the interior of their Defensive Line.  Carolina’s Run Defense could be helped by an impact player like 3-Technique prospect Sheldon Richardson from Missouri.  After two years at the Junior College level, and one year in a non-starter role with the Tigers, Richardson (6’3″ 295 lbs.) burst on the scene in 2012 when he racked up 75 Tackles, 10.5 TFL’s, and 4.0 Sacks over Missouri’s 11 Games.   Drafting a player like Richardson would be a solid move for Carolina as Dwan Edwards will be a UFA after the 2013 season, while Sione Fua and Frank Kearse could be pushed for playing time as well.

15. New Orleans Saints: Barkevious Mingo OLB (Louisiana State)

The Saints will be employing a 3-4 Defense this year, and the biggest task for them to accomplish this offseason will be acquiring players who can fit the system.  New Orleans’ Defense tied for 25th in the League in Sacks last year with 30.0, and they might target a pass-rusher with their 1st Round pick.  Barkevious Mingo (6’4″240 lbs) could be just the player that the Saints need to make the 3-4 transition, and could develop into one of the most electrifying pass-rushers in the League three years from now.  Although his stats last season were not “eye-popping,” 4.5 Sacks, 8.5 TFL’s, Mingo has the athletic ability to turn into a terror off of the edge.

16. St. Louis Rams: Lane Johnson OT (Oklahoma)

Lane Johnson of Oklahoma could be the Left Tackle prospect the Rams are looking for to protect Bradford’s blind-side.  Johnson’s selection would allow the Rams’ current Left Tackle, Roger Saffold, to take the place of soon-to-be UFA Right Tackle Barry Richardson, or kick in to Left Guard to replace the soon-to-be UFA Robert Turner.  The former Sooner (6’6″ 303 lbs.) is an intriguing prospect who played Quarterback in High School and at Junior College, and spent time at Tight End and Defensive End in Norman as well.  For the last two years though Johnson has manned both the Right (12 Starts) and Left (11 Starts) Tackle spots, and has the potential to be a fantastic pass-protector down the road.

Pittsburgh’s Outside Linebackers combined to register 15.0 Sacks over the course of the 2012 regular season.

LET ME REPEAT, the players who manned the premier pass-rushing spots in Dick LeBeau’s Defense combined to average LESS THAN 1.0 SACK PER GAME for the Steelers last year.

I know that I cannot speak for every member of “Steeler Nation.”  Yet if some of you fans do not believe that it would be in Pittsburgh’s best interests to find a play-making pass-rusher early on in the 2013 Draft, then I would have to question if you watched any of the Steelers’ games over the course of the 2012 campaign.

Unfortunately for Pittsburgh’s brass, they must address multiple pressing needs on both sides of the ball during Draft Weekend.  Thus, positions like Inside Linebacker, Free Safety, Strong Safety, Cornerback, Wide Receiver, and Running Back, could take precedence over Outside Linebacker when the Steelers go “on the clock” in Round 1.

In the event that G.M. Kevin Colbert and the rest of the Front Office go in one of the aforementioned directions with the franchise’s first overall selection this April, Pittsburgh will have to wait until Day 2 to fill their pass-rusher needs.  Thankfully for the Steelers, there are some talented pass-rushers who should be available to them in Rounds 2-3.

Jenkins had a productive career at Florida State. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports

Brandon Jenkins

Brandon Jenkins is a pass-rushing prospect who intrigues me, because his stock will likely drop due to the foot injury he sustained during the first game of his Senior season.  Before his Lisfranc surgery, Jenkins was probably considered one of the better Defensive Ends in college football.  In addition, Jenkins formed one-third of the tremendously athletic trio of pass-rushers for the Seminoles along with Bjoern Werner and Tank Carradine.  Sadly for the former Defensive End, his injury could drive his draft stock into the middle of Day 2 when he could have been a possible 1st Round pick had he performed well this past year.

In 27 games during his Sophomore and Junior seasons, Brandon racked up a combined 33.5 Tackles for Loss (TFL’s) and 21.5 Sacks.  From what I have watched of the Florida State Defensive End, he has a good deal of lateral quickness for a guy who is 6’3” 260 lbs. and the strength of a player that size to boot.  Furthermore, Jenkins possesses some underrated speed to make things happen off of the edge and collapse the pocket.  In the event that Jenkins can develop a more formidable bull-rush, he could be one heck of a threat at the Outside Linebacker position.

How healthy Jenkins will be by Training Camp and OTA’s is a bit of a mystery, but what the Florida State pass-rusher has working for him is the fact that he sustained his injury back in September.  By the time Week 1 rolls around Jenkins will have had a calendar year to recover from surgery.  While he likely will not be asked to start unless injuries strike, the former FSU Seminole could be a viable rotational pass-rusher by the end of the 2013 season.

Collins’ athleticism could intrigue the Steelers. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Jamie Collins

If the Steelers are interested in value and versatility, they could find themselves a mid-Round “gem” in the form of Jamie Collins.  During his collegiate career, Collins was moved all over the football field, and was able to play effectively and consistently no matter where he was positioned.  I for one am a huge fan of Collins’ versatility, and I would hope that Dick LeBeau would find all sorts of interesting ways to use the former Golden Eagle.

A “Bandit” End at Southern Mississippi during his final two years in Hattiesburg, Collins helped the Golden Eagles in a number of different ways.  Jamie not only registered a combined 190 Tackles, he also found numerous ways to get the ball back for USM’s Offense as he forced 5 Fumbles and picked off 3 passes.  Collins’ best work however came as a pass-rusher as he was able to wreak quite a bit of havoc from his Defensive End spot as he racked up 39.5 TFL’s and 16.5 Sacks (10.0 in 2012) during that span.

A “Tweener” prospect, Collins is definitely undersized to play Defensive End at the professional level (6’3″ 245 lbs.).  He will also definitely need to hold his own against the bigger and bulldozing N.F.L. Offensive Tackles and learn how to set the edge against bigger and stronger players.  Nevertheless, Collins does have good burst of speed off of the edge and a great deal of athleticism to develop into a 3-4 Outside Linebacker at the professional level.

In fact, I would be interested to see Collins work out at Inside Linebacker in addition to Outside Linebacker, and even be used as an interior blitzer in sub-packages early in his career.  Using both him and Timmons on some A-Gap blitzes would give opposing Interior Linemen a ridiculous amount to deal with, and it would also allow the Steelers to utilize multiple pass-rushers in different spots on the field.  Plus, as a former Defensive Back, Collins can hold his own in pass coverage and would definitely be better than any of the Outside Linebackers the Steelers have on their roster in that area.

Collins is one of the most intriguing Day 2, Front-7, Defensive prospects sure to be available, and he could definitely be of help at least somewhere on a Defense with so many holes to plug in the near future.  Who knows?  Maybe Keith Butler can develop him into another solid mid-Round Non-Big 6 Defensive End in the mold of a Joey Porter or a Clark Haggans?

Lemonier had a down Junior year with the Tigers. Mandatory credit: Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports

Corey Lemonier

In the event that Corey Lemonier has a good offseason workout period, his upside could have scouts excited about his potential two to three years down the road.  At 6’3″ 242 lbs., Lemonier has a good amount of experience (25 Starts), and the potential to be a stand-up pass rusher to boot.  Nevertheless, I must question exactly how productive Lemonier truly was during his career at Auburn.

Although Lemonier shined statistically as a Sophomore to the tune of 13.5 TFL’s, 9.5 Sacks, and 5 Forced Fumbles, his Junior campaign was less than stellar.  In the Clemson and L.S.U. game I watched, the Defensive End was terrific.  He was quick off the ball, flashed some speed off of the edge, and made some good stunt moves back to the interior as he recorded 4.0 Sacks in those two contests combined.  Outside of those games however, Lemonier was almost invisible for the Tigers along with the rest of the Defense last year.

After his early season tear in which he recorded 5.0 Sacks in Auburn’s first four games, Corey registered only 0.5 Sack over his final six.  In some of the games I watched, Lemonier also appeared to lose major amounts of steam as time wore on, and his anticipation was really inconsistent as he was sometimes the final guy off of the ball on Auburn’s Defensive front.  Like Collins, Lemonier must also prove that he can be strong enough to take on N.F.L. Offensive Tackles and set the edge in the running game.  And as far as the passing game goes, the former Defensive End must prove that he can hold his own in pass-coverage against athletic Backs and Tight Ends who will try to exploit the former Down-Lineman in space.

Of all the prospects I list today, Lemonier has the biggest “boom/bust” potential.  When he has looked “on” at Auburn, he has definitely looked “on” and worthy of a 2nd Round pick.  But when he looked “off,” particularly down the stretch last year, he looked “off.”  If he falls to them in Round 2 or even Round 3, the Steelers would ultimately have to decide whether or not they would be willing to gamble on a talented, yet streaky pass-rusher to help re-build their Defense.

Final Thoughts

Injuries or not, 15.0 combined Sacks is a downright embarrassing season total for what are supposed to be the two premier pass-rushing positions in the type of Defense the Steelers employ.  Things need to change in Pittsburgh at the Outside Linebacker positions, and those already in place need to be pushed by some younger, hungrier, and scheme-fit players.  James Harrison could be gone due to salary cap constraints and injuries, LaMarr Woodley appears more concerned with dressing up like a member of “Run DMC,”  and 2014 UFA Jason Worilds has been relegated to backup duty during most of his career.

No matter where they select one (or multiple ones), the Steelers must find players with skill-sets to bring the opposing Quarterback to the ground, and/or force them to make bad decisions through the air.  Whether or not those bad decisions will be caught by Pittsburgh’s Cornerbacks who have cinder-block-hands is another matter entirely, and could be explained in another post.  Thoughts on the Cornerbacks aside, I think you readers know where I’m coming from when I say that Outside Linebacker should be high on the Steelers’ “Wish List” during Draft Weekend.

Readers:  Do you think the Steelers will find a Day 2 pass-rusher?  Or do you agree with me that Round 1 would be better spent on a pass-rusher like Barkevious Mingo, Dion Jordan, Alex Okafor, or Jarvis Jones if he falls to them?  Are there other potential Day 2 pass-rushers you like?  Chase Thomas?  John Simon?

Players Stats Provided By Specific Team Pages: Florida State, Southern Mississippi, Auburn, and ESPN.com

Players Contract Info. Provided By: Spotrac.com

Players Heights/Weight Provided By: CBSSports.com