5 Best Options for Pittsburgh Steelers with the No. 22 Pick in 2015 Draft
The Pittsburgh Steelers have a history of building through the draft, and 2015 is no exception. In a class rich with talent at cornerback and outside linebacker, general manager Kevin Colbert has the opportunity to address the organization’s two biggest needs in the first round.
Selecting a defender in the first round would not be out of the norm for the Steelers. Over the past eight drafts, Colbert has selected five defenders—including in three of the past four drafts. A top edge defender would help round out the front seven, while a young cornerback would help rebuild a depleted secondary.
Of course, Colbert could add another weapon into the mix for Ben Roethlisberger or add yet another high pick on the offensive line. No matter what he and the rest of Pittsburgh’s front office decide to do, it is important that they find talent.
The Steelers haven’t drafted a true playmaker in the first round since Lawrence Timmons in 2007, and they cannot afford to let another year go by without finding an impact player. With the No. 22 pick overall, Colbert won’t have the opportunity for an elite prospect, but he can still find a player who could develop into a foundation for the franchise.
With the draft just two weeks away, here is a preview of the top five—ranked from the least to most upside—first-round options for the Steelers.
5. Owamagbe Odighizuwa, OLB, UCLA
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Height/Weight: 6’3”, 267 pounds
Ranking: No. 7 Edge-Rusher (No. 33 Overall)
With a front seven full of undersized, athletic linebackers, the Steelers could use a true physical presence at outside linebacker. Owamagbe Odighizuwa of UCLA fits the bill perfectly.
The 6’3” and 267-pound edge-rusher was one of the best performers among defensive linemen at the combine in the 40-yard dash (4.62 seconds), vertical jump (39.0 inches), broad jump (127.0 inches), 20-yard shuttle (4.19 seconds) and 60-yard shuttle (11.75 seconds).
Of all of the edge-defenders in the draft, Odighizuwa ranked fourth in the SPARQ metric, which is a formula that “measures player athleticism by outputting a single composite score,” according to 3SigmaAthlete.com.
In further data analysis by BloggingtheBoys.com's, this qualifies Odighizuwa as a “superior athlete whose college production has been below-average.” This is a valid question, as a player with the talent of Odighizuwa should have produced more than six sacks last season.
Despite his lack of production in college, Dan Hope of Bleacher Report believes that Odighizuwa can develop into a top pass-rusher:
“Odighizuwa has the physical traits of a top pass-rusher, but where he really shines is defending the run,” Hope wrote. “In fact, Odighizuwa might end up being the best run-stopping edge defender in this year’s class.”
Lance Zierlein of NFL.com highlights some of these traits in his scouting report of Odighizuwa:
"Absolute Greek God with the pads off. Shredded physique with very little body fat. Strong at the point of attack. Plays with desired anchor and strong lower body. Run defender who can close down creases. Gets off ball with good pad level and has potential to convert speed to power.
Hands are violent and active. Relentless and competitive. Never gives up on a pass rush. Expected to be a core special-teams talent. Can play 4-3 defensive end or 3-4 outside linebacker.
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The ability to set the edge against the run with one hand in the dirt or from a stand-up position is the type of versatility that Mike Tomlin likes from his players. Combined with his upside as a pass-rusher, Odighizuwa is the type of player who can help reinvigorate a defense in need of some toughness.
4. Kevin Johnson, CB, Wake Forest
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Height/Weight: 6’0”, 188 pounds
Ranking: No. 8 Cornerback (No. 58 Overall)
When it comes to cornerbacks in the draft, Kevin Johnson has the potential to be one of the best in the class, as noted by NFL Philosophy:
"I really like this class of CBs. I think there are about 10 CBs that could be good players in NFL. I have Kevin Johnson & Trae Waynes 1a-1b.
— NFL Philosophy (@NFLosophy) April 11, 2015"
Johnson doesn’t have the speed of Trae Waynes or the star power of Marcus Peters, but he does many things very well, which has caught the eye of the Steelers. According to Jonathan Jones of the The Charlotte Observer, the Steelers spent some extra time with Johnson at his pro day:
“Steelers representatives spent nearly 15 minutes talking with Johnson’s parents on the sideline, and they also spoke at length with [Wake Forest head coach Dave] Clawson before he addressed the media.”
Johnson earned second-team All-ACC honors after allowing only 24 receptions last season. Besides locking down opposing receivers, he finished the year with 15 passes defended and three interceptions. Beyond his statistics, his overall play improved with experience, per Lance Zierlein of NFL.com:
"Johnson is a three-year starting cornerback who showed great improvement in man coverage from 2013 to 2014. While he lacks desired weight at the position, his cover skills, athleticism and competitiveness give him a shot to come in and start right away. Johnson can play gunner on special teams.
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Given the lack of young talent on the roster, Johnson would have a chance to earn a starting spot as a rookie. At worst, he could step in as the nickelback where he can learn how to play in the NFL and eventually earn his way into the starting lineup.
3. Danny Shelton, NT, Washington
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Height/Weight: 6’2”, 339 pounds
Ranking: No. 2 Defensive Tackle (No. 10 Overall)
The last time the Steelers had a defense this poor they were in the midst of missing the playoffs for three consecutive years—the longest stretch of Bill Cowher’s career. However, during this time, the foundation was being set for the second-greatest era in Steelers’ history.
One of the key pieces, though, wasn’t drafted until 2001 when the Steelers selected Casey Hampton in the first round to become the foundation of their defense. For the next decade, he was the rock in the defensive line and one of the major reasons Pittsburgh consistently had one of the best units in the league.
Although the nose tackle position has been de-emphasized in recent years, a dominant player at the position could have the same type of impact that Hampton once did. The one player who qualifies in this year’s draft is Danny Shelton.
While Hampton was a two-down player, Shelton has the opportunity to develop into a quality three-down player. At 6’2” and 339 pounds, he is stout enough to be a space-eater to help shut down the run game, can occupy double-teams to help free up the players around him and can even get to the quarterback.
Even with offenses throwing the ball all over the field, the game is still won in the trenches. With Cameron Heyward and Stephon Tuitt already in the mix, the addition of Shelton could transform a solid defensive line into a very good one.
As one NFC scout told Lance Zierlein of NFL.com, he needs to see Shelton develop into a more consistent player:
"Shelton is a bully. If you let him walk all over you early in the game, he's going to keep doing it. But watch how he kind of fades into the background when he goes up against guys who stand up to him. I want to see him show up all the time."
Shelton may not solve the problem at outside linebacker or cornerback, but he is the type of guy who can make the players around him better. Pittsburgh’s defense needs impact players, and few could make the type of impact that Shelton can.
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2. Marcus Peters, CB, Washington
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Height/Weight: 6’0”, 197 pounds
Ranking: No. 1 Cornerback (No. 12 Overall)
Does talent trump character?
That is a decision that Colbert, Tomlin and the rest of the Steelers organization must make if Marcus Peters is available when the Steelers draft at No. 22 overall.
Peters is one of the most talented defenders in this year’s draft, yet he may fall late into the first round—or even the second—due to his character concerns. Washington dismissed him from the team back in November, and he has since spent his time reflecting on his mistakes and trying to rehabilitate his image.
Was it enough to convince the Steelers that he is worth their investment? Maybe. They have taken risks on players with character issues in the past—see Mike Adams—and may do so once again given Peters’ talent and upside to develop into a good quarterback, as noted by Lance Zierlein of NFL.com:
“Talented cover cornerback with size, ball skills and the confidence NFL teams are looking for but lacks the necessary discipline and maturity on the field and in practice. Peters has raw talent but is far from a polished cornerback, and that is without taking the character concerns into consideration.”
Many will keep coming back to those character concerns, to him being kicked off his college team. It is easy to understand why some would be concerned over these issues, but Neal Coolong of Steelers Wire expressed some valid reasons why the Steelers should not pass on Peters:
"Peters isn’t accused of aggravated assault, and he hasn’t failed multiple drug tests (that have been made public, at least). His problem is he was tossed from his college team, one that had a new coaching staff on board.
Peters is passionate, perhaps in an immature way. He may not have handled the situation the best, but that shouldn’t trump the amount of talented receivers he handled through an excellent collegiate career.
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Sometimes young players need to face adversity before they mature, and Peters has done just that. His dismissal gave him some perspective on what life without football would be like, and he realized his mistakes.
At this point, Peters’ talent does begin to take over. He has the ability to cover No. 1 receivers and be a playmaker in the secondary—evident by his 11 interceptions in three seasons. The Steelers could pass on that type of talent, but it would be a move that they would eventually regret.
1. Alvin “Bud” Dupree, OLB, Kentucky
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Height/Weight: 6’4”, 269 pounds
Ranking: No. 4 Edge-Rusher (No. 19 Overall)
Pittsburgh’s secondary is in a bit of disarray with the Troy Polamalu and Ike Taylor retirements as well as the loss of Brice McCain to free agency, but it still isn’t the top need for the organization to address in the draft.
Getting to the quarterback is priority No. 1 for the Steelers, and they do not have the horses in the lineup to get the job one. That is why they need to prioritize an outside linebacker in the first round.
The talent will quickly dwindle as Dante Fowler, Vic Beasley, Randy Gregory and Shane Ray figure to be gone early in the draft. Colbert could wait and try to draft Danielle Hunter or Nate Orchard in the second, but that is risky. Instead, they should hope for—or go up and get—Alvin “Bud” Dupree of Kentucky.
Dupree had the third-highest SPARQ score relatively to the other edge defenders in this draft and is one of the best athletes in the entire draft. At 6’4” and 269 pounds, he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.56 seconds at the combine and continued to display his skills with an impressive showing at his pro day, according to ESPN Cincinnati Bengals reporter Coley Harvey.
The Steelers got an up-close look at Dupree as Tomlin, Keith Butler and Joey Porter were all in attendance to watch him run through position drills.
Dupree is one of the more interesting prospects because his athleticism would indicate that he was dominant as a college player, but his production did not match—he had 7.5 sacks last season. Dane Brugler of NFLDraftScout.com took note of this disparity:
"Lacks functional football strength. Struggles to rip free once engaged. Relies on his agility and savvy to slip by would-be blockers. Rarely physically breaks the grasp of blockers once engaged. Rarely gets his hands up to cloud the vision of quarterbacks. Sometimes takes wide angles in pursuit, giving up extra yardage.
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A player with Dupree’s size, strength and speed who is unable to produce should raise some flags, but the chance to mold him into a dominant pass-rusher has to be a tantalizing option for the Steelers.
According to Lance Zierlein of NFL.com, coaching will be an important part of Dupree’s development:
“Dupree is an explosive, powerful athlete with a background in basketball. While he's been productive at Kentucky, his tape doesn't always do his potential justice. He must continue to improve as a pass rusher, but his traits are undeniable. Difference between being good and great might be his coordinator.”
Dupree would not have to start as a rookie, but rather sit behind Arthur Moats and work his way into the lineup as a situational pass-rusher. After a year in the system, the Steelers could once again have one of the best young outside linebackers wreaking havoc on opposing offenses.
Note: Unless otherwise noted, all stats are courtesy of Sports-Reference.com, all combine results are courtesy of the NFL.com Draft Tracker, all draft rankings are courtesy of Matt Miller of Bleacher Report and all roster information is courtesy of Steelers.com.
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