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May 4th, 2015
IMO, the Steelers organization, performed well in this year's draft, having selected six defensive players, three of which are in the secondary, where the Steelers performed so poorly last year. Mel Kiper, Jr. gave the Pittsburgh Steelers an "A-,” one of only four teams to receive an "A."
At No. 22, the Steelers got a steal in Bud Dupree, who some believed was a top ten prospect. He has been described as an awesome package of size, speed, explosion and smarts. He is 6’4, 269 pounds with 14 percent body fat. At the NFL combine, he ran a 4.56 in the 40 (second fastest among all linebackers), posting a 42-inch vertical jump (second best by any linebacker since 2006) and 11.5 feet in the standing long jump. The Steelers are impressed with Dupree's size and athleticism, but according to former coaches and associates, the Steelers also selected a person whose character, commitment and sincerity is every bit the equal of his football talents.
Senquez Golsonan "INT machine" at Ole Miss who, according to Mr. Kiper, plays bigger than his size and has the hands of a solid wide receiver. At 5’9 and 176 pounds, Golson was the smallest defensive back invited to the NFL Scouting Combine. Elsewhere in the secondary, the Steelers added a steady college performer in Doran Grant out of Ohio State. Grant is 5’10, 200 pounds and was timed at 4.4 in the 40. He is strong with good speed, a good tackler and cover man. In the seventh round, the Steeler's selected last year's NCAA interception leader, safety Gerod Holliman of Louisville.
The Steelers went outside the Big Ten and SEC for the first time when they drafted defensive lineman L.T. Walton of Central Michigan with their first of two picks in the sixth round. Walton is 6’5, 319 pound and played in the interior at CMU but will be used at defensive end where the Steelers are thin after their two starters, Cam Heyward and Stephon Tuitt. With its compensatory sixth round pick, the Steeler's drafted Miami’s Anthony Chickillo, a defensive end for the Hurricanes, will be put at outside linebacker with the Steelers. Chickillo is 6’3, 267 pounds.
There were only two offensive players selected by the Steelers in the 2015 draft. Sammie Coats, allegedly one of the better big-play receivers in Auburn's history, was the Steelers’ third round pick. Coats stands at 6'1 and weighs 212 pounds. His vertical jump was 41 inches, and he jumped between 10 and 11 feet on the broad jump. That shows his athleticism and explosion that he has. He will block and he will dig out safeties. He has been noted to drop some balls, however, the Steelers are optimistic that he will improve with drills.
The Steelers chose Penn State tight end Jesse James, who played at South Allegheny High School in Glassport, in the fifth round. James stands 6’7 and weighs 261 pounds. He is the first Nittany Lions player drafted by the Steelers in six years. He started every game the past two seasons and leaves Penn State with a year of eligibility left.
If our newly acquired defensive personnel can contribute in a meaningful way, and if our offense can stay healthy, the Steelers may be a serious playoff contender. Go Steelers!
