What makes the NFL draft so compelling is its potential impact. For a variety of reasons, teams can go from worst to first very quickly in the NFL. Of course, as the playoff-less 2012 and 2013 Pittsburgh Steelers can attest, the opposite is also true.
The Steelers got a steal when they selected former Kentucky University’s outside linebacker Bud Dupree with the 22nd pick in round one. Dupree, 6’4 270, was a top-10 talent. He runs the forty in 4.5 and has an NBA-like vertical jump of 42 inches!
Dupree has a good chance filling the opening at left outside linebacker, a void created by Jason Worilds unexpected retirement at age 27.
“I played the left side most of the time in college. So being on the left side is very comfortable for me. It’s a great opportunity,’ said Dupree. “I know Pittsburgh relies on their defensive line, and all the outside linebackers have been pretty good on this team. I will impress the coaches with my knowledge of football, and wanting to know all the details. I am looking forward to learning from James Harrison and coach Joey Porter.”
All four of the Steelers starting linebackers are former first round draft picks.
The most demanding position to learn from college to the pros is quarterback, but the second most difficult can be cornerback. The Steelers selected a player who is extremely undersize by professional football standards.
In the second round, they selected Senquez Golson, 5’8, 176, a cornerback from Mississippi. Golson is a tough, undersized corner whose competitiveness will add some energy to the cornerback group. He lacks the typical size the Steelers like, but the starting nickel back position is up for grabs.
Golson was a unanimous first team All-American and was second in the nation with 10 interceptions in 2014. Great athlete. He was drafted by the Boston Red Sox.
“The hardest thing I ever did was looking down at the paper, and there was a million dollars on it. I was only a 17-year old kid. It was hard to turn down, but football is what I love to do,” said Golson. “My mentor is former NFL star Terrell Buckley. We come from the same hometown.”
Sammie Coates, 6’1 210, had to wait his turn, but the former Auburn receiver found his new home Friday night.
The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Coates in the third round with the 87th overall pick of the NFL Draft. Coates was the 12th receiver to be selected. The explosive and speedy receiver averaged over 21-yards per catch during his career and led the country in this category.
In the fourth round Pittsburgh was able to draft Ohio State national champion and team captain Duran Grant. Grant is a 5’10 200 pound cornerback who is known for his physicality.
He won the Mickey Marotti Iron Buckeye Award given to the Buckeye exemplifies toughness and leadership in the weight room. He was the strongest defensive back at the combine and put up 225 pounds for 21 reps.
Fast. Runs the forty in 4.4 and is a former high school Ohio State champion in the 100-meter hurdles and 60-meter hurdles. He’s a former hockey player who played right wing for the Tri-C Cyclones in Kent, Ohio. He also played rugby.
In the fifth round, they selected Jesse James, a 6’7, 260 pound, tight end who played a Penn State. James is a prototype and record setting tight end. He recorded 78 receptions for over 1,000 yards and 11 touchdowns, breaking the school record held by another former WPIAL star, Ted Kwalick.
James played high school football at South Allegheny and is the son of Rick and Susan James. He has four brothers: William, Keith, Rick and Brady, and two sisters, Carly and Isabella.
Central Michigan’s defensive end Leterrius “L.T.” Walton, 6’5 320, is not a consistent player and could use more upper body strength. He gets blown out on trap blocks when teams pull offensive line on power schemes. Has a history of coming in over weight. He lost 30 pounds and then re-gained the weight in recent months.
“It’s a little different. Not taking anything away from L.T. but when you play for Central Michigan, the competition you’re playing, is a lot different than playing against Baltimore or Cleveland and New England,” said coach John Mitchell. “So when he comes in here, what I’m looking for in a draft choice, at this particular stage, I want a guy that has some tools. We’re not asking a guy to come in and be a starter.”
Walton played the shade nose in college and the shade nose is a three technique in their defense.
Walton’s problem is he’s a shade biscuit away from being obese.
Miami Hurricanes outside linebacker Anthony Chickillo, 6’3 270, started 47-of-50 games and recorded 170 tackles and 15 sacks.
He is a hyper-active player who plays through the whistle. Aggressive approach with a fiery, and comes angry out of his stance. He never missed a game over his four-year career. Comes from a football family.
His father and grandfather played in the NFL. —Nick Chickillo played for the Cardinals for one season in 1953 and the Steelers; Tony Chickillo played for the Chargers from 1984-85 and for the Jets in 1987.
“It’s just a blessing. I am just real excited that the Steelers took a chance on me, and I am not going to let them down,” said Chickillo. “My dad told me to just cherish every day and get better every day. I love football. I love studying the game. I am just so happy I get to be with an organization like Pittsburgh.”
Louisville’s sophomore Gerod “The Ball Hawk” Holliman, 6’0 218, is regarded as one of the finest free safeties to have ever played the college game. He was a 2014 first-team All-American and a Walter Camp selection. He won the Jim Thorpe Award as the top defensive back in the country and tied an NCAA record with 14 interceptions. Holliman shows good anticipation with good reactions to the ball in the air. Has good foot quickness to transition out of his backpedal to all route angles. Good stop-and-go quickness and has a burst to the ball. Holliman could be the steal of the draft.
The Steelers added 12 undrafted free agents. They are:
Texas A&M tight end Cameron Clear, Saint Augustine defensive tackle Nigel Crawford-Kinney, Liberty defensive end Dominique Davis, Penn State guard Miles Dieffenbach, Auburn guard Reese Dismukes, Kansas State center B.J. Finney, Boston College wide receiver Tyler Murphy, Illnois State defensive end Bradon Prate, Indiana guard Collin Rahrig, Louisville wide receiver Eli Rogers, Lafayette running back Ross Scheuerman, and Utah State tackle Kevin Whimpey.
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