Detroit & Pittsburgh's picks
NFL Draft Mailbag
February 12, 2004
Lou Pickney, DraftKing.com
Reader feedback is always welcomed here at DraftKing.com. Sent your thoughts to me at LouPickney@gmail.com.
From: Martincic3@******.net
Sent: Wednesday, February 11, 2004 7:25 PM
To: Lou Pickney
Subject: Steelers Question
Hey lou, I have a comment on the Steelers picking a DE. I think that is a very bad pick. If they drafted a DE it would be to replace Kimo, but he had the best year out of the three DL. I think Kevin Jones or Philip Rivers would be better picks at #11.
Lou: It's entirely possible that the Steelers could take Jones (or possibly Steven Jackson, if he's there) at #11. If Rivers is who they have in mind, I would be more inclined to think that the team would trade down into the teens, where they could likely still snag Rivers (#11 seems like a high spot for him to go, unless he has a jaw-dropping performance at the combines). Plus, keep in mind that Pittsburgh has not picked a QB in the first round of the draft in more than 20 years (and only one, Kordell Stewart, in the first two rounds since 1982).
Pittsburgh needs to improve its pass rush, and it seems to me that it would be most difficult to pass on Kenechi Udeze or Will Smith. If they did, I think it would be to take a RB. The Steelers need to do something to improve their pass rush in 2004.
From: Mikehey@***.com
Sent: Thursday, February 12, 2004 2:50 AM
To: Lou Pickney
Subject: browns
DO YOU THINK THE BROWNS WILL GO OFFENSIVE LINE THE FIRST THREE PICKS OR THE FIRST TWO?
Lou: I'm not sure what to make of the question... If the Browns get Arkansas OT Shawn Andrews or Iowa OT Robert Gallery in Round 1, then I'd suggest that they would look for other holes to fill in subsequent rounds. The Browns need offensive line help, but not by drafting an entirely new line.
You might see the Browns take an o-lineman in a later round (think Round 4 or beyond). A blue chip tackle like Andrews is just what the doctor ordered for Cleveland, but the defense (and I'm thinking the linebacking corps in particular) could use some help in Rounds 2 or 3.
From: Adam Steinebach
Sent: Thursday, February 12, 2004 10:20 AM
To: Lou Pickney
Subject: I have to disagree
Sorry Lou, I was just checking out your mailbag (nice site) and I came across Jackson vs. Taylor. I happen to be an avid follower of the Lions and I'm quite certain that Jackson will not be taken @ six. Although I definately think that he is worth it. But a talent such as Sean Taylor cannot be passed on. We will try for Perry or G.Jones in the second.
Lou: Adam, you bring a strong argument about Taylor. As I addressed in the
2/10/2004 mailbag, Taylor is an amazing athlete who is moving up many scouts' boards. What it may come down to is this: does Detroit believe that RB "X" in the second round plus Taylor is a better combo than Steven Jackson (or Kevin Jones) and whomever the Lions might pick up at R2P6 (like Oklahoma safety Brandom Everage, Purdue safety Stuart Schweigert, Texas cornerback Nathan Vasher, etc.) Though as I re-read that last sentence, and also contemplate a draft combo of Sean Taylor and Chris Perry or Greg Jones or Michael Turner... it is quite intriguing. I will give this a great deal of thought before I post my next Mock Draft revision next week.
From: Timothy Gerbig
Sent: Thursday, February 12, 2004 1:54 PM
To: Lou Pickney
Subject: Randy Starks
Hey, I was just looking over your last mock, and
something jumped out to me. What happened to Randy
Starks? He's been moving up most draft boards, and
was in a decent spot on your last mock, but he dropped
off completely on this one. Did I miss something? I
know he's somewhat raw, but he's probably the most
powerful player in the entire draft. Did he suddenly
decide to go back to school?
Lou: Starks is in the 2004 Draft Pool. He's a 6'4" 305 pound monster gap-filler who can lay some hits down with the best of them. He's a two-time All-ACC performer, and he will be a good NFL run stuffer.
Starks improved his pass rushing skills in 2003, though the main knock on him is that his technical skills still need time to develop (one of the downsides to coming out as a junior). I had anticipated him slipping to the top of the second round, but his stock is on the rise and I suggest that you'll see him listed in the next DraftKing.com Mock Draft.
