Pittsburgh and San Diego
National Football League
Draft King Mailbag
February 7, 2005
Lou Pickney, DraftKing.com
Reader feedback is always welcomed here at DraftKing.com. Send your thoughts to me at LouPickney@gmail.com.
From: Chris Roessler
Sent: Sunday, February 6, 2005 4:41 PM
To: Lou Pickney
Subject: Steelers' draft
Lou-> I’m never convinced the Steelers use sound logic, but assuming they will, I think they will let Plaxico Burress walk. He drops too many balls and isn’t committed enough to running the ball. That said, I think they’ll try to plug that hole by drafting a solid receiver with a good attitude. I think that leads them to Mark Clayton. He doesn’t have Burress’ height or deep threat, but I think they try to learn from teams like the Pats and they get it done without a tall receiver. If not Clayton, then I think they go for a receiver (Vincent Jackson) in round 2. The other alternative is a DT who can play DE in the 3-4. Antajj Hawthorne may be the call in that case. Your thoughts?
Lou: I could see Pittsburgh going with a guy like Clayton or perhaps a talent like UAB's Roddy White. There will be skilled WRs there at the end of the first round (in all likelihood), and particularly if Plaxico Burress departs it would make sense to draft a WR in that spot.
As for DTs who can play DE, it would be a new role for Anttaj Hawthorne. He does have good quickness to pursue the QB, but I'm not sure how he'd do in that role trying to contain a scrambling QB to the outside (Hawthorne runs only a 4.9 40). As it is, I project that a team will draft Hawthorne for his natural position of DT before Pittsburgh has a chance to take him.
Either DE or WR makes sense to me at that spot. David Pollack would be a steal there (as I currently project), but if Pollack goes earlier I could see Pittsburgh instead taking Roddy White and going the WR route.
From: Tracey Wells
Sent: Monday, February 7, 2005 10:40 PM
To: Lou Pickney
Subject: Chargers
I know the Chargers surprised everyone including me, a Chargers fan from the early days of Dan Fouts. With two picks in the 1st Round, would it be wise for them to select a wide receiver and a defensive end? I feel with a receiver who can stretch the field like Braylon Edwards or Troy Williamson would make the Chargers offense very potent. I like Mike Williams also because he can cause match up problems and free up Antonio Gates or Kennan McCardell. I think people criticize him unfairly for his speed. I think any of those three would be suitable for the Chargers.
I feel they need a stud defensive end to pressure the quarterback. They relied too heavily on blitzing linebackers and never had much pressure from the front three. It exposed the corners and safeties. Who do you think would fit the Chargers defensive scheme the best?
Lou: I think WR and DE is definitely the way to go. San Diego's picks are aligned in such a way where they can go WR if either Mike Williams or Braylon Edwards are on the board at #12 (or maybe also Troy Williamson if they think he's worth taking that high). If not, then there should be some DE talent on the board, perhaps the likes of Dan Cody or Erasmus James.
With the #28 pick, San Diego will also have its choice of either DE (with guys like Matt Roth, David Pollack, etc.) or WR (Roddy White, Mark Clayton, etc.) This all makes logical sense, but with the NFL Draft you must remember that teams sometimes go for the "best player available", tossing logic to the wind as far as need goes. But for San Diego, it sure looks like it can fill both need and quality with its two first rounders.
