What Steelers Will Reveal Today About the Draft

Good morning,

Some stuff:

--- ESPN had an interesting “head-to-head” mock draft with Mel Kiper and Todd McShay taking turns picking for each team through three rounds. McShay went first. What I really found most interesting is that Kiper picked for the Steelers at No. 22 and selected cornerback Byron Jones of Connecticut.

OK, Jones has been flying up draft boards because of his post-season workouts for the teams, starting with the combine in Indianapolis, and he is not out of the question. But in his own mock draft, Mock 4.0 it is called, Kiper selected cornerback Kevin Johnson for the Steelers at No. 22.

In his head-to-head with McShay, Kiper bypassed Johnson to take Jones. In his 4.0, Kiper bypassed Jones to take Johnson.

So, which is it?

--- NFLDraftScout’s Rob Rang, whom I have referenced many times through the years for his rankings and his comments in my draft stories, became the first of the better known draft experts that I know of to select Utah cornerback Eric Rowe for the Steelers at No. 22 on Sunday in his mock draft for CBSSports. That shows good insight.

--- Kevin Colbert and Mike Tomlin will hold their annual pre-draft press conference today. Neither will comment on any of the prospects. In fact, neither will offer much information whatsoever on the upcoming draft. Colbert has some stock answers that he has delivered since 2000. Among them:

“There is a lot of quality in this draft and we should come away with some good players who can help us. We are excited about it.”

“We always talk about trading, moving up or down.’’

“You never pass up a quality player hoping to get one later in the draft.’’

“If we are not comfortable with a player’s character or medical, we will take him off our board.’’

“We are confident there will be three or four really good players available to us when it comes our turn to pick in the first round.’’

“Coach, we don’t talk about individual prospects here.’’ Actually, he does not have to say that to Mike Tomlin anymore. Once was enough, in 2007.

Today’s press conference provides footage for the local television stations and little else. But you can read what they say here.

--- Onto your Ask Ed questions:

--- YOU: I saw your beat writers mock draft, & your pick R.Gregory, I can't see him going to the Steelers, not ideal 3-4 OLB weight, & his failed drug test.

I've been reading, ppl want to trade down, but I think this is a year where the Steelers should maybe trade up, & that is for CB M.Peters. I'm not sure he is going to make it to 22, & if not & they don't trade up, I see them going w/ OLB Eli Harold. As for CBs, after Peters, I like S.Nelson from Ore. ST. in the 3rd or 4th RD.

ED: Do not take seriously the players I choose in other mock drafts, because I don’t. He called and I provided him a name without even studying what others drafted. I only knew he was available. My mock draft will take place on Thursday and that is the one in which I put much time and consideration into.

--- YOU: Hope you are well. I was just wondering who/what position you think The Steelers may pick in the first round of the upcoming draft? I don't know too much about individual players, but I'm thinking it will be either CB, S, DL, or LB. What's your take based on what you've seen/heard? Thanks again.

ED: I believe it will be a linebacker or cornerback, but it would never surprise me if they chose a guard or tackle on offense if the value for one of those is so much higher when it comes their turn. Offensive linemen are always needed.

--- YOU: I expect you guys don't' attend voluntary team sessions, but--if anyone wanders near the workouts--I would love to hear if anyone looking at Jarvis Jones sees anything to suggest he's been pumpibng iron or working on his speed, two deficiencies he promised both last year and this to attend to in the off season???

ED: We can’t watch until they hit the field at the end of May. Darn.

--- YOU: Hello from the great white north (it’s snowing in upstate NY today…)! Question is regarding Bryce McCain. The word is the Steelers could have afforded to keep him; could it be they

Did not see him fitting particularly well in Coach Butler’s defense and decided not to pursue him?

ED: The Steelers could have afforded to re-sign Brice McCain, who signed a two-year contract for $5.5 million with the Miami Dolphins. They chose not to, obviously believing he was not worth that kind of money. Were they right? I thought they should have kept him because they are so thin at the position. Perhaps they will draft two cornerbacks in the first three rounds this week.