Remember that time that the Texans' defense dominated the Steelers and won the game, even though two defensive TDs were nullified (the latter coming on a completely farcical call)? I do. That was fun. I like fun things. And when the doctor said I didn't have worms anymore, that was the happiest day of my life.
Sorry, writing about the Steelers always makes me think of Ralph Wiggum. I assume it has something to do with Ben Roethlisberger.
Anyway, who will the Steelers select in this mockathon? After the jump, Super Nintendo Chalmers (a/k/a texanphil) tells us.
Jonathan Martin (OT--Stanford)
Quality youth on the OL is vital to the Steelers, this year in particular. Big Ben holds the ball so long, the heavies assigned the unenviable task of protecting him need to stay engaged for what seems like years. Our extensive tape evaluation of all of Martin's snaps since he was in pee-wee football in North Hollywood, CA, revealed excellent run-blocking capabilities along with solid pass protection. Our first round grade on him is based on the ability to step in and start from day one and protect our most valuable asset, along with improving our run game.
Marcus Gilbert would most likely move to LT if Martin wasn't available with this pick. Our top priority is the OL, and the prospect of moving a young tackle to a new position while hoping Willie Colon can come back from his injury problems enough to handle the right side is too troublesome to wait for a fix later. Martin and Gilbert will provide solid bookends for protecting Ben for years to come.
There was a little pressure from Nick Saban to take Dont'a Hightower with this pick. Nick texted us with Petrino-like efficiency trying to sell us on his linebacker, but our evaulation resulted in a grade lower than the 24th overall pick. There were several times during his Sophomore year at Marshall County High School that he was out of position, and he just didn't seem like the impact player we needed to select in the first round.
So close to falling to the Houston Juggernaut, but alas.
Up next, the Denver Broncos qua Riott & La Voz, with unavoidable input from the strong psychic waves of Mike Clark. Please have that pick emailed to both Tim and me by 7 p.m. CST.
UPDATED LIST:
1. Indianapolis Colts--Andrew Luck (QB--Stanford)
2. Washington Redskins (from St. Louis)--Robert Griffin III (QB--Baylor)
3. Minnesota Vikings--Matt Kalil (OT--USC)
4. Cleveland Browns--Trent Richardson (RB--Alabama)
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers--Dontari Poe (DT--Memphis)
6. St. Louis Rams (from Washington)--Justin Blackmon (WR--Oklahoma State)
7. Jacksonville Jaguars--Morris Claiborne (CB--LSU)
8. Miami Dolphins--Ryan Tannehill (QB--Texas A&M)
9. Carolina Panthers--Quinton Coples (DE--North Carolina)
10. Buffalo Bills--Luke Kuechly (LB--Boston College)
11. Kansas City Chiefs--David DeCastro (OG--Stanford)
12. Seattle Seahawks--Courtney Upshaw (LB--Alabama)
13. Arizona Cardinals--Michael Floyd (WR--Notre Dame)
14. Dallas Cowboys--Fletcher Cox (DE/DT--Mississippi State)
15. Philadelphia Eagles--Riley Reiff (OT--Iowa)
16. New York Jets--Melvin Ingram (LB-South Carolina)
17. Cincinnati Bengals (from Oakland)--Dre Kirkpatrick (CB-Alabama)
18. San Diego Chargers--Shea McClellin (LB-Boise State)
19. Chicago Bears--Cordy Glenn (OG/OT--Georgia)
20. Tennessee Titans--Stephen Hill (WR--Georgia Tech)
21. Cincinnati Bengals--Mark Barron (SS--Alabama)
22. Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta)--Mohamed Sanu (WR--Rutgers)
23. Detroit Lions--Stephon Gilmore (CB--South Carolina)
24. Pittsburgh Steelers--Jonathan Martin (OT--Stanford)
25. Denver Broncos--Riott, La Voz
26. Houston Texans--BRB Staff
27. New England Patriots (from New Orleans)--NoSafetiesNeeded
28. Green Bay Packers--HabitualHoustonFan
29. Baltimore Ravens--MD.Texan
30. San Francisco 49ers--TexansDC
31. New England Patriots--NoSafetiesNeeded
32. New York Giants--DaGoaT