The core of a football team is built through rounds three through seven in the NFL Draft. The work of team scouts are tested during rounds three through seven as everyone is looking for the next “big star” or solid player for the next years. This year there are a few players who will be drafted late that should be drafted early. These picks could be on the Steelers’ radar.
T.J Yeldon: 6’1″ , 225 – Alabama RB
Over the past ten seasons the stock of running backs have dropped considerably. However the talent has not dropped and talent should be Yeldon’s middle name. Yeldon comes from a winning program and has the agility and quickness that many running backs only dream of. His receiving skills would also benefit the offense on screen plays red zone offense.
One of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ weaknesses was exposed in the playoffs against the Baltimore Ravens as the running game suffered without Le’Veon Bell who was out due to a knee injury. Yeldon would be an excellent change of pace running back to Bell, and if he is drafted, Yeldon would be in line to start at least the first two games with Bell possibly facing a multiple game suspension.
Wes Saxton: 6-4 , 245 – TE South Alabama
Saxon will be a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses with his ability to stretch the seams. Saxson has shown flashes the ability of a wide receiver and wins his share of jump balls. It has been a long time since the Steelers have had an explosive tight end, and Saxton could potentially bring that to Pittsburgh. Saxon needs work on his route running and dependable veteran Health Miller is just the man to mentor him.
Detrick Bonner: 6’0″, 205 – SS
Bonner has shown he can play cornerback, linebacker and safety Bonner covers ground very easily and can hammer any player regardless of size. Bonner will be a instant boost for the special teams and will challenge safety Shamarko Thomas for playing time instantly. Depth will be needed at the safey position and Bonner fills an important need and could ease the loss of Troy Polamalu, and possibly Will Allen.
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DrGeorge
March 7, 2015 at 11:36 am
Yeldon. Yeldon looked great in college, but behind that Alabama line, any college RB would look great. By pro standards, Yeldon is slow and not powerful enough, as top college defenses proved. His previous seasons were more impressive than 2014, and he is properly projected as a late round pick. Yeldon is at best an average NFL back. We can do better.
Saxton. We will need a replacement for Heath Miller one season very soon. Saxton is a development player, with good hands and more speed than most LBs can handle. But he is a poor blocker. The issue for the Steelers is whether to find another blocking tight end like Miller or to convert TE into a beefed-up receiver position, as many teams in this pass-happy era have done. Given the weakness at Right Tackle, the Steelers can’t afford to explore that option; the team needs a TE who can block as well as Miller. Saxton isn’t that guy.
Bonner. He played safety at Virginia Tech where his lack of speed and lack of discipline were only too apparent. He is slow in recognizing developing plays and tends to be overly-aggressive against the run and the pass, making him easy to out-wit with play fakes. A marginal prospect.