5:58 PM :: I’m a huge Penguins fan so I won’t lie, my TV just now found its way to the NFL draft after watching a great game six against the Flyers. Good thing the Steelers didn’t pick earlier. I’ll provide some commentary and what not for the rest of the first round here.
6:05 PM :: Doesn’t look like anything too crazy has happened so far. This draft class is lacking all the glitz and glamour of some past classes, which is probably a good thing for the Steelers who are pretty set at the skill positions. Cincinatti has picked big Andre Smith, the troubled offensive tackle from Alabama. Interesting to see them select another supposedly “questionable” character guy.
6:08 PM :: Browns on the clock now.
6:11 PM :: Well, that didn’t last long. Cleveland has traded the pick to Philadelphia (suck it). The Browns have a lot of needs to fill so trading down a few spots for more picks makes some sense, but I’m sure some fans aren’t happy.
6:12 PM :: Looks like WR Jeremy Maclin is on his way to the Eagles. Him and Desean Jackson will make a scary duo. Throw in Westbrook, McNabb, and new tackle Jason Peters and the Eagles have to be the early favorites in the NFC.
6:25 PM :: BIGTIME developments here for both the Steelers and Browns. With their newly acquired pick, the Browns took Cal center Alex Mack, who was tied to the Steelers in a TON of drafts. Will this start a run of centers (as improbable as that sounds)? We will see.
6:32 PM :: Other names of interest still available as the Patriots pick at 23: Eric Wood, center from Louisville, Michael Oher, tackle from Mississippi. I’m already on the record as saying I’d be happy if the Steelers drafted a CB or DL in the first round and just made sure to get a guy like Penn State’s AQ Shipley in later rounds.
6:35 PM :: Another trade involving the AFC North — the Ravens have traded up to take the Patriots spot at 23.
6:36 PM:: Ouch. The Ravens take the consensus best lineman on the board in Oher. No way he falls to the Steelers at 32, but you’d rather see him go out of the division. As an aside, you’ve got to think that the Steelers will not draft a center at 1.32 with Mack going. I’m guessing defensive line.
7:00 PM :: Slowly getting closer and closert to the Steelers’ pick. Colts are up at 27. Great ovation by the crowd for some serviceman and women.
7:01 PM :: Colts select RB Donald Brown. Good for the Steelers to see positions like RB being taken since they are already strong there.
7:04 PM :: More names of interest who are still around: Everette Brown, defensive end from Florida State, Wood, center from Louisville is still untaken, and Max Unger, center from Oregon. Still a few tackles around as well.
7:05 PM :: Another blow has been dealt to the Steelers’ pursuit of a center – The Buffalo Bills just picked him at 28. It will be interesting to see if the Steeler have Unger, the 3rd center, rated higher than some guys at other positions.
7:09 PM :: New York Giants select WR Hakeen Nicks at 29. Nicks is a total beast, I got a chance to watch a few of his games this year. Tennessee is on the clock…getting very close to Pittsburgh’s turn. DE Everette Brown is listed as Kiper’s third-best available player and could still be around come the 32nd pick. However, the Steelers have historically been able to plug in late-round picks at DE like Brett Keisel and Aaron Smith.
7:14 PM :: Looking at the board here after Tennessee has picked Kenny Britt from Rutgers at 30, no one player really stand out as a “must draft” for the Steelers. Could they trade down? Do they have a surprise in store? Just a few minutes left until we find out…
7:27 PM :: Cards pick is in and it’s RB Beanie Wells from Ohio State. Again, this doesn’t hurt the Steelers at all. Everybody was expecting Wells to go here so the Steelers have probably been working out their exact pick for a while.
7:28 PM :: Stees on the clock. Kiper’s best available is LB Rey Maulauga and then Everette Brown at DE. William Beatty, OT from UConn is also still available. Not really interested in Maulauga. We’re stocked well at LB and he’s got a bit of an attitude.
The good news here is that most of the “best available” players left fall into areas of need for Pittsburgh – CB, DE, OL.
7:31 PM :: Pick is in! DT Ziggy Hood from Missouri! Too bad ESPN is on commercial and we see no announcement. Ouch.
7:34 PM :: Hood is 6′ 2” and 300 pounds and pretty mobile for a big defensive tackle. He runs a 4.8 forty, which is nothing to sneeze at for a big lineman.
7:35 PM :: Not a flashy pick by any means from the Steelers, but it addresses a well-known need. Here’s some more information on Evander “Ziggy” Hood (what a name!):
Here‘s the NFL’s profile on Hood.
Check out this clip of some highlights. Gotta love that speed.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=
1fiWgAZf0v4[/youtube]
7:40 PM :: Alright, that’s all from me for now. Early reaction to the pick? I like it. The centers that the Steelers had seemingly focused on were taken early, but they didn’t panic and went after a guy who can help bring some youth to an aging defensive line unit. Now please go out and draft AQ Shipley tomorrow! 🙂
Here’s our updated post on Hood with some new thoughts and a experts’s perspective.
