Mock 7.0: Dimitroff ramps up for NFL draft
BIRDLAND – Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff took a break last week to give us an update on the ramp
090426 FLOWERY BRANCH Atlanta Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff and head coach Mike Smith introduce their NFL draft pick, Peria Jerry, Ole Miss defensive tackle, during a press conference at their facility in Flowery Branch Sunday morning. KENT D. JOHNSON / kdjohnson@AJC.COM
up to the draft.
The Falcons are set to have a “Locals” day on Monday for some structured workouts.
“We are encouraged and we know that there are going to be some very fine opportunities in this draft to acquire more players that are going to continue to help us in our quest to be perennial playoff contender,” Dimitroff said.
The Falcons are one of the busier teams in bringing in players and putting the finishing touches on their draft board. The idea is to get a consensus in the room with regards to the system-specific players.
“I’m definitely a believer in collaboration,” Dimitroff said. “We take all of the information that we have from what I consider one of the most adept scouting staffs in the country.
“With Les Snead helping to lead us with the personnel department, I think that we have solid people in place that will provide us with information that will let Mike Smith and myself continue to take it to the final decision making point. Again, we have a great deal of discussion, not only with our scouting staff, but with the coaching staff about the respective players in this year’s draft.”
Smitty is expected a big bounce-back year from John Abraham (Curtis Compton/compton@ajc.com)
The Falcons have scouted just about every linebacker and center in the draft. So it’s reasonable to conclude that a linebacker and center/guard are coming off the board at some point. Several pundits, ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN/Scout Inc.’s Todd McShay and SI.com’s Don Banks, all have the Falcons taking Michigan defensive end Brandon Graham.
That’s the wrong pick.
They are ignoring what Smith has said about John Abraham having a bounce-back year while at the owner’s meeting and that he feels that with a better push up the middle from a healthy Peria Jerry could help Abraham return to form. Also, the Falcons have drafted defensive end in each of the last two drafts in Kroy Biermann and Lawrence Sidbury.
However, Abraham will turn 32 in May.
Also, the Falcons, under Dimitroff, have not taken one player from the Big 10 conference. A remarkable 16 of the 19 players drafted under the Dimitroff-Smith regime have played in an NFL game.
“(We have) a system-specific scouting system,” Dimitroff said. “We need to make sure not only that we’ve gotten all of the information in the evaluation from the scouting department, but also that these players fit our scheme. That has a lot to do with our evaluations and our discussions with our coaching staff.”
AT THE POLLS: Last week we asked “Who will select Florida quarterback Tim Tebow?” Here are the results:
- Buffalo in the first round, 9th overall (28%, 643 Votes)
- Cleveland in the second round, 38th overall (26%, 599 Votes)
- New England in the first round, 22nd overall (24%, 549 Votes)
- Washington in the second round, 37th overall (22%, 485 Votes)
Total Voters: 2,276
FALCONS DRAFT ORDER
1st round – 19th overall
2nd round – No pick
3rd round – 83rd overall
3rd round – 98th overall, compensatory
4th round – 117
5th round – 149
5th round – 165th overall, compensatory
6th round – 171
6th round – 189
NFL DRAFT TIMES
Rd. 1: Thurs., April 22, 7:30 p.m.
Rds. 2-3: Fri., April 23, 6
Rds. 4-7: Sat., April 24, 10 a.m.
AJC’s 2010 MOCK DRAFT 7.0
Staff writer D. Orlando Ledbetter projects the first round:
Missouri linebacker Sean Weatherspoon celebrates after making a tackle against Bowling Green during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 12, 2009, in Columbia, Mo. (Associated Press)
There are a couple of things about this upcoming draft that are going against historical trends.
- Teams appear set not to draft and overpay at the quarterback position. There are rumblings that St. Louis will not take Sam Bradford, even though they released their former starter. Also, Notre Dame’s Jimmy Clausen doesn’t appear to have a first round draft home. “There is a lot of disagreement and mixed opinions on when Jimmy should come off the board,” Kiper Jr. said.
- The traditional notion about not drafting a safety too high is being tested. Tennessee’s Eric Berry, of Creekside High, Texas’ Earl Watson and Southern Cal’s Taylor Mays could all go in the first round.
- Also, the traditional valuation at the center position is being tested by Florida’s LaShawn Maurkice Pouncey. Denver and Pittsburgh will have shots at him before the Falcons pick.
In our latest mock draft, Florida center Pouncey is climbing.
The Denver Broncos, in need a center, secure the position by taking Pouncey.
With the 19th pick in the draft, the Falcons will select Missouri linebacker Sean Weatherspoon.
Pouncey has been the Falcons pick in five of the seven mocks. This is Weatherspoon’s second selection.
He visited the Falcons on Wednesday and Thursday.
Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford is headed for St. Louis in the Mock Draft 3.0.
1. St. Louis Rams: Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma. Not buying the talk out of the Rams camp that they don’t necessarily have to take Bradford after releasing Marc Bulger. In the negotiating game, that’s called posturing.
2. Detroit Lions: Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma.
4. Washington Redskins: Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma. Word out of Washington is that new coach Mike Shanahan is comparing him to Ryan Clady.
5. Kansas City Chiefs: Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State. He only slips one spot.
6. Seattle Seahawks: Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech. The Seahawks traded defensive end Darryl Tapp and are not certain about Patrick Kerney’s return.
7. Cleveland Browns: Eric Berry, DB, Tennessee. The Browns get Berry to fill one of their holes on defense.
8. Oakland Raiders: Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers. The Raiders get an anchor for their run game.
9. Buffalo Bills: Brian Bulaga, OT, Iowa. The Bills go for value.
10. Jacksonville Jaguars: Rolando McClain, LB, Alabama. McClain in a run stuffer, but also has speed.
Will Alabama linebacker Rolando McClain (25) be clapping it up in the Falcons huddle next season? (Associated Press)
11. Denver Broncos: Maurkice Pouncey, C/G, Florida. His versatility gives him extra value. Pouncey can play right away at guard or take over at center.
12. Miami Dolphins: Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State. The Dolphins go for a potential game-breaker.
13. San Francisco 49ers: Joe Haden, CB, Florida. The 49ers look for a potential replacement for Nate Clements.
14. Seattle Seahawks: C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson. The Seahawks try to spruce up the offense.
15. New York Giants: Sergio Kindle, LB, Texas. The Giants go for some help on defense.
16. Tennessee Titans: Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, South Florida. The Titans are in the defensive end market after losing Kyle Vanden Bosch in free agency.
17. San Francisco 49ers: Brandon Graham, DE, Michigan. The 49ers stay with the defensive theme.
18. Pittsburgh Steelers: Michael Iupati, G, Idaho. The Steelers have to like his upside.
19. Atlanta Falcons: Sean Weatherspoon, LB, Missouri. With Pouncey and Brandon Graham off the board, the Falcons go with Weatherspoon.
20. Houston Texans: Kyle Wilson, CB, Boise State. The Texans have to get a prospect to replace Dunta Robinson, who signed with the Falcons in free agency.
21. Cincinnati Bengals: Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma. The Bengals look to add a weapon for quarterback Carson Palmer after revamping the receiving corps.
22. New England Patriots: Everson Griffen, DE, USC. The Patriots continue the reconstruction of their defense.
Everson Griffen could be flexing for the Falcons in 2010. (Associated Press)
23. Green Bay Packers: Charles Brown, OT, USC. The Packers have to add some offensive line help, but could trade down and add picks.
24. Philadelphia Eagles: Taylor Mays, S, USC. The Eagles have to rebuild their defense.
25. Baltimore Ravens: Demaryius Thomas, WR, Georgia Tech. Perfect spot for Thomas, who can learn from veterans Anquan Boldin and Derrick Mason.
26. Arizona Cardinals: Brandon Spikes, LB, Florida. He will fit well inside of the Cardinals’ 3-4. Cards not worried about his lack of foot speed and like his football instincts. He will replace Karlos Dansby at inside linebacker.
27. Dallas Cowboys: Earl Thomas, S, Texas. The Cowboys get some help for their secondary. Some believe that Thomas can play cornerback and safety.
28. San Diego Chargers: Ryan Matthews, RB, Fresno State. The Chargers have to re-discover the running game and get more balance in their offseason.
29. New York Jets: Dan Williams, DT, Tennessee. He could be a force inside for the Jets.
30. Minnesota Vikings: Kareem Jackson, CB, Alabama. The Macon native has moved up to the front of the cornerback class.
31. Indianapolis Colts: Jerry Hughes, DE, Texas Christian. Hughes reminds some of a young Dwight Freeney.
32. New Orleans Saints: Daryl Washington, LB, Texas Christian. The Saints have to address the position with the loss of Scott Fujita.
ON THE FRINGE
UCLA's Brian Price is one mean and nasty defensive tackle. He's set to visit the Falcons on Saturday. (Jeff Lewis / Associated Press)
Jim Clausen, QB, Notre Dame
Tim Tebow, QB, Florida
Colt McCoy, QB, Texas
Arrelious Benn, WR, Illinois
Chad Jones, S, LSU
Jahvid Best, RB, California
Nate Allen, S, South Florida
Jonathan Dwyer, RB, Georgia Tech
Jared Odrick, DT, Penn State
Brian Price, NT, UCLA
Perrish Cox, CB, Oklahoma State
Corey Wootton, DE, Northwestern
Golden Tate, WR, Notre Dame
Terrence Cody, DT, Alabama
Devin McCourty, CB, Rutgers
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148 comments Add your comment
Mike Hughes
April 9th, 2010
1:59 pm
Given the niners are dangerously shallow at RB and DT and need a return man, they should take Spiller with their first draft choice. Then, they should trade down to the end of the first round and take Cody or Troup. They will still be able to pick up a good offensive lineman (John Jerry or Mitch Petrus) and a solid defensive back (Rolle, Thomas, Cook, Wilson) in the second and third rounds.
The Real Falcon
April 9th, 2010
2:05 pm
You like Pouncey so much you see him going ahead of Spiller and D. Bryant? That is some koolaid!
Sly Ty
April 9th, 2010
2:07 pm
I will be happy with Spoon, or whoever so long as it is not TE Jermaine Gresham. TD and Smitty have done a great job setting us up for success. We will challenge for the NFC South again. As falcon fans, WE are much better than say the IDIOT PHILLY FANS, who have helped run McNabb out of town, which helps us gain a playoff spot. TD and Smitty will continue to lead us in the right direction.
Sorry, DLed...
April 9th, 2010
2:27 pm
…But you are CRAZY if you think anyone is going to take a center with the 11th pick in the draft. I’m seriously beginning to question your credentials by pushing this Pouncey kid so hard. Also, the Falcon’s aren’t going to take him. They still need a pass rush and that is WAY more important to them (and any other NFL team for that matter) than and interior offensive lineman. Personally, I think the team would be blessed if they have the chance to draft Brandon Graham. The guy’s college stats speak for themselves and Dimitroff has always used actual performance on the field over combine/workout performance to judge prospects.
kelvin davis
April 9th, 2010
2:29 pm
Atlanta Falcons first 5 picks.. Trade down with the patriots to get a 2nd round pick
1st Round-Jerry Hughes
2nd Round-Best DE available at the time
3rd Round-Matt Tennant
4th Round- Riley Cooper or Dezmon Briscoe
5th Round-Brandon James
As much as I like Eric Weems and thought he did a good job Brandon James would be a steal for us if he is there in the 5th Round.. Somebody agree with me on this draft cause it looks very realistic to me
D. Orlando Bedwetter
April 9th, 2010
2:37 pm
Are you Puncey’s agent? If not, you have to be Spikes agent, right? I haven’t seen him even sniff the first round. Do you know something everyone else doesn’t?
Roadhog10
April 9th, 2010
3:13 pm
Why do football player alway say”Ye Baby”? I hate it ,hate it!
Brian Hunt
April 9th, 2010
4:04 pm
I’d be happy with either Pouncey or Spoon. Spoon would seem to be the bigger need, but Pouncey is a safer pick. Todd has been fine at center, but he does get out muscled often by the leagues 3-4 NTs and he’s on the downside of his career. Pouncey would solidify the position for another decade. That’s huge.
Mr. Phil
April 9th, 2010
4:14 pm
ATTENTION PEOPLE: Pouncey WILL NOT be available at 19 ( he won’t go 11) but he will, i repeat will, i repeat will be gone BEFORE 19. So can we put this discussion to rest. IT AIN’T GONNA HAPPEN CLOSE THE BOOK!
truth
April 9th, 2010
5:02 pm
ATTENTION Mr. Phil……………..SHUT UP!!!
truth
April 9th, 2010
5:03 pm
The Falcons should use their first three picks on the O-LINE.
Fred Sandord III
April 9th, 2010
5:15 pm
DLed, was your great aunt a Pouncey? Also, all Clausens of the football inclination were born stupid. Not NFL material.
MariettaFalcon
April 9th, 2010
8:08 pm
If Graham is not available, then I will be happy with SPOOOOOOOON!!!! (That would sound nice in the Georgia Dome).
Cowboy
April 9th, 2010
8:40 pm
Kindle at 15 to the Giants is from Texas not Missouri
chris taylor
April 9th, 2010
8:58 pm
Yes, i’d like Spoon Too, if Graham was gone. Spoon will be a great player. I just don’t see how a WLB used mostly in coverage is supposed to generate more pass rush than a DE like Graham, especially in BVG’s system. Who knows, maybe he goes blitz crazy this year if he can get some players to actually make it to the QB. Maybe they believe the coverage Spoon and Dunta can provide added with our D-line getting healthier will provide the pass rush we need.
Jeff
April 9th, 2010
9:37 pm
The AJC development team needs to revoke your styling controls.
Glitchy
April 9th, 2010
9:50 pm
Well, at least you got off Pouncey, D-Led……..I know you were just doing that to jerk our chains, right? You don;t use your Number 1 (when you don;t have a number 2) to make a position pick that is not a weakness – you get the BC center or somebody like that in 3rd or 4th.
Glitchy
April 9th, 2010
9:54 pm
DOL is a Pouncey on his mother’s side!!
Hamad Meander
April 9th, 2010
10:04 pm
Yes please. A starter from day one, will play more downs than Graham would and is a better fit for our 4-3 defense
S.E.A.N. W.E.A.T.H.E.R.S.P.O.O.N
waynester
April 9th, 2010
10:15 pm
kelvin davis
You stated earlier that we’d be “stupid” not to take Spiller if he falls to us, as then we’d have “no problem” getting a 2nd for Norwood. If that was true we’d have taken that deal already. It seems there are no takers for Jerious…. as for the “stupidity” assertion, if the Chargers or another RB-needy team is willing to move up to 19 for Spiller, and we didn’t take it, THAT would be “stupid” as change of pace backs are fairly plentiful in this draft and we’re well stacked at the position. I don’t believe in blowing up your draft for one particular guy–no matter how well he did against collegiate competition. Our needs on defense are approaching “dire”. We’ve got to find an OLB and a penetrating DT bare minimum (I think we need another DE, CB and SS). That overwhelms the need for a part-time RB bigtime, no matter who it is.
On the positive side, I like your trade-down scenario with NE, and, yes, I do believe it’s realistic. The difference between 9 picks and 10-11 could be huge– so if the opportunity is there, get more picks!
Big Ray
April 9th, 2010
10:24 pm
I’d be pleased as punch with Sean Weatherspoon.
I’d be happy with Brandon Graham, and I think it bears mentioning that all the serious draft pundits are listing him as a DE/OLB hybrid, so just STOP with all of the talk about him being just a DE.
The Falcons are still trying to get into the second round, meaning that they may have to give up their first round pick (and get 2 second rounders, or a lower 1st rounder and a decent 2nd rounder, who knows).
So Spoon is not automatically a guaranteed pick for us. But I’d be damn glad to have him.
I don’t have anything more to say about the idea of picking Pouncey, than I’ve already said. Don’t have a thing against him, but I wouldn’t be pleased with that as our #1 pick unless we got some truly awesome picks elsewhere in the draft (like, in the 2nd and third rounds). Don’t know about that scenario.
I know it must have pained D-Led to have Weatherspoon as the Falcons pick in this mock draft.
Big Ray
April 9th, 2010
10:26 pm
Waynester ,
I agree with you. If we can trade and get more high value picks, then by all means do it.
We don’t need Spiller nearly that badly. But somebody might need who could be available at #19, very badly.
For more trade back scenarios, review D3’s blog, called The Bird Cage. You’ll love it.
Hamad Meander
April 9th, 2010
10:59 pm
Big Ray – as I stated in the Bird Cage, when they list Graham as a “Hybrid”, what they are saying is that he isn’t the typical size to play end in a 3-4, so he would be a OLB in that system. In a 4-3, he would play end. The Falcons will be drafting Graham to play defensive end period, because we run and have personnel for the 4-3 system.
Trading current players do not yield draft picks traditionally. To get in the second round, we would most likely have to surrender our first round pick. Unless Graham and Weatherspoon are both gone, I’m not interested.
Monger
April 9th, 2010
11:31 pm
So No Carlos Dunlap in the first round?? and he’s not even a fringe player either? Last I checked he was a the best pass rusher in the SEC for its 2nd best team….thats a little odd mr. bed wetter…
Im guessing he must have poured his beer on your head and pantsed you at one of those wild gainesville parties, and Maurkice Pouncey was the one who comforted you outside…(your love infatuation with Pouncey all makes sense now!!!)
ICDogg
April 10th, 2010
1:16 am
I am pretty sure the Eagles would take Earl Thomas over Taylor Mays if they were drafting a safety in that spot.
As far as Pouncey, I think it’s silly that anyone would even think of drafting him before, say, pick 28 or so. And even that is a bit of a reach.
Doug
April 10th, 2010
1:29 am
First you leave him out of the first round, then you list him as “Jim” Clausen. It’s surprising to me how many sportswriters let their prejudices influence their writings. Tell us DOL, hand on the Bible, what do you think about Notre Dame?
Kwijibo
April 10th, 2010
2:29 am
If we got Pouncey, couldn’t he make a run at a starting position at G? Truth’s post about using our first 3 picks on offensive linemen made me think.. I wish we could get a stud OLT so that Sam “T-Rex Arms” Baker could go play right tackle.
Need an outside linebacker, but Sidbury should get a look if he shows it on the field over the summer.
Falcons reportedly were rejected by the Oakland Raiders in their attempt to offload Jamal Anderson for the rights to Bo Jackson. Is he terrible? Nope, but shouldn’t he be doing more for us?
LMAO
April 10th, 2010
3:01 am
Well,well,well D.Orlando Bedwetter–u finally get off Pouncey but u move him up eight spots?! Really? Dude please loosen that bowtie!!!! We need help on defense and at wide reciever, do u even watch the Falcons? Im starting to think u wish u were Tim Tebow so Maurice L. Pouncey can put his hands up your butt.
kelvin davis
April 10th, 2010
4:39 am
1st-Brandon Graham-He will take over the right end position and help out Abraham. Plays hard every play and will eat up alot of the offensive linemen he goes against just because of his explosive first step.. And thats not even mentioning his strength
3rd-Brandon Spikes-Has the talent to play outside and will be the replacement for Peterson.. Has good coverage skills in open space and has great hands for a linebacker. Has good leadership abilities as well and isn’t afraid to get in someones face
3rd-Matt Tennant-Already has played with Matt Ryan and will take over for McClure in a year. Michael Turner struggled a bit trying to run up the middle because McClure doesn’t have that edge anymore
4th-Riley Cooper-Tall and great hands and actually has the speed that we need in a number 2 receiver. No disrespect to Jenkins but we all know you need 2 very good receivers on the outside to be good.. He reminds me of a better Kevin Walter and he destroyed alot of good corners in the SEC last year and the year before.. Might not block as good as Jenkins but thats what practice is for.. To get better at something
5th-Brandon James-Has the ability to score any time on kickoff and punt returns
5th-Colin Peek-Great blocking tight end that helped open holes for the Heisman trophy winner and good hand.. Replacement for Gonzalez in 2 years.. Made alot of tough catches for Alabama when Julio Jones was getting double teamed
6th-Cord Howard-Played well for Georgia Tech helping them be one of the great running teams and opening up holes for Dwyer to run through. Yes they were an option team but he still had to block somebody.. We got Garret Renolds in this round last year and he played pretty good
6th-Leigh Tiffin-Has a big time leg and saved Alabama in a couple of big games last year by knocking down long kicks… Falcon Fans if the draft happened this way would you be happy with the outcome or no?? Let me know cause we are all in this together to help bring a Lombardi Trophy to Atlanta.. Personally I think this would be a great draft for us if it worked out this way.. We definitely get better from last year with these pickups and we pickup 4 starters in Graham, Spikes, Tennant, and Cooper
ThisMocksAJoke
April 10th, 2010
4:45 am
Spikes won’t even be taken in the 2nd round, Due to his 5 sec 40. Earl Thomas won’t make it past the Steelers. Dan Williams won’t get by the Chargers. Jimmy Clausen wont make it out of the top 10 lol
willieg hates bill shanks
April 10th, 2010
6:53 am
hey ORLANDO what about the falcons giving trading this years one # 1 for marshall in denver ,i mean with white, and marshall, and tony wow who could stop that all day long NO-ONE !!!!!!
willieg hates bill shanks
April 10th, 2010
6:55 am
ALSO atlanta get gerhart from stanford and have a good running back for a long time.
NFL News and Notes – April 10, 2010 | The Other 31
April 10th, 2010
8:56 am
[...] D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution has the Atlanta Falcons taking Missouri linebacker Sean Weatherspoon in the 7th version of his mock draft. [...]
Morrus
April 10th, 2010
9:34 am
Vote out the incumbents and start over
chris taylor
April 10th, 2010
9:56 am
Kevin Davis: I really like your mock posted earlier this morning with the exception of switching Tennant to the comp. pick and possibly taking Mitchell over Cooper.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
April 10th, 2010
10:16 am
I wasn’t able to get on much yesterday. Got ordered into some Family time over last weekend of spring break.
You all seem to be doing fine on your own.
Bradley went for the Graham bait.
http://blogs.ajc.com/mark-bradley-blog/2010/04/08/6-out-of-7-draftniks-agree-the-falcons-will-take-de-graham/
D. Orlando Ledbetter
April 10th, 2010
10:20 am
willieg — Don’t hate on Bill Shanks. He’s a nice guy. I wouldn’t do the Marshall deal. Boy, he can play, but he keeps up a lot of mess. Hard to please. Gerhart would have to be a lead blocker here.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
April 10th, 2010
10:51 am
THE STEELERS ANNOUNCE THEIR VISITORS:
http://www.steelers.com/news/article-1/List-of-pre-draft-player-visits—4-9/573a6101-67ec-4fe8-815c-4936378b3c55
List of pre-draft player visits – 4-9
Bob Labriola – Steelers.com
Posted Apr 9, 2010
Each NFL team is allowed to bring 30 prospects in for visits in advance of the 2010 Draft, which is scheduled for April 22-23-24.
The passing attack has become a big part of winning and losing in the NFL, and on Friday, April 9 the Steelers visited with three players who will be involved in that aspect of the game.
One day after hosting six players for their pre-draft visits, the Steelers closed out the week by bringing in three more – two wide receivers and a safety.
The wide receivers were Emmanuel Sanders, 5-foot-11, 186-pounds from SMU, and Rejus Benn, 6-1, 219, from Illinois. The safety was Earl Thomas, 5-10, 208, from Texas.
Sanders, a team captain, led SMU in receiving in 2009 with 98 catches that were good for a 13.7 average, and he also returned 20 punts and finished with a 13.8 average. Benn is another team captain who led the Illini in receiving in each of the past three seasons, and he also eats no red meat or fried foods.
Thomas broke up 17 passes as a redshirt freshman in 2008 to set a school record in that category, and then in 2009 as a redshirt sophomore he had eight interceptions, two of which he returned for touchdowns.
On April 8, the Steelers visited with guard Mike Iupati, 6-5, 331, from Idaho; and center Maurkice Pouncey, 6-4, 301, from Florida. The defensive linemen were Clifton Geathers, 6-7, 299, from South Carolina and Linval Joseph, 6-4, 328, from East Carolina. Also making a visit was wide receiver Carlton Mitchell, 6-3, 215, from South Florida; and tight end Rob Gronkowski, 6-6, 264, from Arizona.
So far, the Steelers have had 28 players in for visits – six offensive linemen, six wide receivers, five linebackers, three cornerbacks, three defensive lineman, three safeties, one running back and one tight end.
On April 7, the team visited with wide receivers were Dez Bryant, 6-2, 225, from Oklahoma State, and Golden Tate, 5-10, 199, from Notre Dame; running back LeGarrette Blount, 6-0, 241, from Oregon; and linebackers Koa Misi, 6-3, 251, from
Utah, and Adrian Tracy, 6-3, 248, from William & Mary.
On April 6, the Steelers entertained offensive lineman Bryan Bulaga, 6-5, 315, from Iowa. Bulaga is considered a first-round talent in the upcoming draft.
The Steelers ended their first week of pre-draft visits on Thursday, April 1 by meeting with defensive back Brandon Ghee, 6-0, 192, from Wake Forest; and linebacker Eric Norwood, 6-1, 245, from South Carolina.
On March 31, the Steelers brought in cornerback Nolan Carroll, 6-0, 200, from Maryland; cornerback Kareem Jackson, 5-11, 190, from Alabama; cornerback Kyle Wilson, 5-10, 190, from Boise State; wide receiver Joe Webb, 6-3, 223, from Alabama-Birmingham; and linebacker Albert McClellan, 6-1, 247, from Marshall.
On March 30, it was guard Jacques McClendon, 6-3, 324, from Tennessee; and tackle Rodger Saffold, 6-5, 315, from Indiana.
On March 29, the Steelers visited with defensive lineman Michael Neal, 6-3, 294, from Purdue; guard Chris DeGeare, 6-4, 325, from Wake Forest; safety Darrell Stuckey, 6-0, 205, from Kansas; and linebacker Navorro Bowman, 6-2, 242, from Penn State
D. Orlando Ledbetter
April 10th, 2010
11:02 am
FALCONS VISITS OR WORKOUT — Unlike the Steelers, the Falcons don’t announce their visits. Sometimes agent will tell if they have a player that is visiting, but they don’t like to go on the record. I’ve been keeping track of visits, planned visits, workouts and planned workouts. If I missed any send, them along.
Matt Tennant, C, Boston College
J.D. Walton, C, Baylor – according Scout.com, Chris Steuber
Rolando McClain, LB, Alabama
Sean Weatherspoon, LB, Missouri
Everson Griffen, DE, USC – Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Brian Price, DT, UCLA – Gil Brandt
Daryl Washington, LB, TCU
Jerry Hughes, LB, TCU
Damian Williams, WR, USC – Aaron Wilson, citing league source
Sean Lee, LB, Penn State — Aaron Wilson, citing league source
Traye Simmons, CB, Minnesota — Scout.com – Chris Steuber unamed source
Mike Iupati is supposed to visit the Falcons
Brandon Graham, LB, Michigan
Maurkice Pouncey, C/G, Florida
waynester
April 10th, 2010
11:07 am
DLed
Gerhardt is a great guy and RB but given the current makeup of the backfield there’s not really a spot for him. Ovie is the man! No way on Marshall–WAY too much trouble for his worth. Enjoy that family time–it’s what makes life worth living–a job is just a job,after all, and life is too short not to spend it with people who actually love you…..have a great weekend!
waynester
April 10th, 2010
11:14 am
DLed
Great info! What about the LB from Miami(Cunningham?) and the LB with the hard-to-pronounce name (Vuva-something)?
waynester
April 10th, 2010
11:22 am
DLed
Sorry– it was Sharpton from UM and Vuna Tuihalamaka from AZ. Big DT/DE Alualu was another one I seem to remember–thanks….
waynester
April 10th, 2010
11:38 am
Sporting News had a great interview with B Graham a couple of days ago that I highly reccomend. Asked about his goals on the field he says he wants to be the “ultimate team player” and above all “wants to be feared” that’s the missing ingredient on our defense–nobody is afraid of us right now but they will be..they will be…..
Charles J.
April 10th, 2010
11:44 am
Hey, WHBS here’s the way that goes because you have too give to get so check this out. We give 1, 4 and 6 to Denverfor Marshall and their 2 what you think wikk it work.
Bangkapi Ajarn
April 10th, 2010
12:27 pm
D-Led, the Falcons visit list looks a bit different from the list I posted on your blog Wednesday before your TD meeting, but still nice (Eric Cook for example, just pulling from unsubstantiated internet postings – all I have).
I see you list Graham as a LB now. earlier, you mentioned that the Falcons had him as a DE on their board. Has that changed:?
Bangkapi Ajarn
April 10th, 2010
12:31 pm
Jordan Shipley was another I saw talked to the Falcons.
I asked a few days ago if private visits during school pro days could as one of the 30 official visits? One of the potential questions for TD I posted, I believe.
chris taylor
April 10th, 2010
12:39 pm
Atlanta probably just don’t want Marshall here. Dude was a 4th rd pick so a chip on the shoulder is to be expected but this is something else. He is just too difficult. That LB Koa Misi that Pittsburgh brought in is gonna be good, i’ve heard/seen some good things on him. That being said, just get Graham in the first and move into 2nd for an LB. Draft a WR and Tennant in the 3rd. Pick up another OL in the 4th and then BPA at positions of need from there on.
waynester
April 10th, 2010
12:56 pm
chris taylor
If we take Graham in the 1st, how do we get back into the 2nd? That’s the dilemma. As far as we know, no team has wanted any of our FA eligible players at the price we’re asking. Unless we can move a player for picks, the math just doesn’t work for us to move UP–that only leaves moving down. It’s possible Graham could still be there later in the 1st if we can come up with a trading partner in the mid-20’s, but it’s a real stretch….
kelvin davis
April 10th, 2010
2:16 pm
my draft from earlier was pretty legit.. everything that could happen for us is in my draft that i put up
Hamad Meander
April 10th, 2010
4:33 pm
If # 19 is Pouncey – then he starts. There is no way in the world you pick a center in the first round if he doesn’t start day one. That would mean moving McClure out of course.
I’m still sold on sticking at # 19 and picking Weatherspoon or Graham. If they pick Graham, I hope their next pick is an OLB, because we need help there worse than @ defensive end. Also, if Graham is the pick, I would assume that Jamal Anderson would move to defensive tackle, or be moved to another team. I doubt we could generate enough interest to trade Anderson for a draft pick, but I’d take a 4th rounder if offered.