Pancake Blocks Mock Draft: Pick No. 23
Pittsburgh up, with Matt G. making the pick. Matt took some heat for his comments about the Jonathan Stewart pick, although most of those comments came off looking worse than anything he wrote. At least people are passionate about the first annual Pancake Blocks Mock!
The facts everyone keys on:
- The Steelers gave up 47 sacks last year
- Their O-line is now sans Alan Faneca, a perennial pro bowler
The facts no one else really discusses:
- Willie Parker was the rushing leader before he broke his leg late in the season
- Big Ben put up career and franchise bests in passing and had a QB rating of 104.1
- Many of those sacks were simply a result of Ben holding onto the ball too long.
The offensive line is the area that all the media pundits are saying is the #1 priority for the Steelers. In some regards they are right.
If Brandon Albert were somehow on the board at 23, which 2 weeks ago seemed quite likely, you could bet the Steelers wouldn't waste a second thought on pulling the trigger. If Albert is still on the board at 18 when Houston is up the Steelers might ship their first (23) and third (88) to pick him up. Under the old and new draft trade charts this value is close even without Houstons 7th rounder (223).
That said; Albert is off the board. Pittsburgh's hoggies are still solid overall and depth can be addressed later in the draft. What you wont find later in the draft is an RB that runs a 4.44 40 at 235 pounds. Oh, and he can catch the ball. And run between the tackles.
Two things FWP (Fast Willie Parker) cant.
In the end Jonathan Stewart and perhaps a Sam Baker (OT) or Chilo Rachal (G) seems better than Gosder Cherilus (OT) and perhaps Terrell Thomas (CB)
However, it appears Marv took Stewart one spot ahead of this one so…
With the 23rd pick in the 2008 NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers should select Gosder Cherilus from Boston College.
2008 Pancake Blocks Mock Draft
1. Miami Dolphins (Scott L.) - Chris Long
2. St. Louis Rams (Evan Silva) - Glenn Dorsey
3. Atlanta Falcons (Troy Hill) - Matt Ryan
4. Oakland Raiders (Stephen G.) - Jake Long
5. Kansas City Chiefs (Jeremy S.) - Darren McFadden
6. New York Jets (John B.) - Vernon Gholston
7. New England Patriots (Gregg R.) - Sedrick Ellis
8. Baltimore Ravens (Ryan F.) - Leodis McKelvin
9. Cincinnati Bengals (Jacob C.) - Ryan Clady
10. New Orleans Saints (Scott K.) - Keith Rivers
11. Buffalo Bills (James N.) - Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
12. Denver Broncos (Taylor C.) - Chris Williams
13. Carolina Panthers (Matthew W.) - Derrick Harvey
14. Chicago Bears (Zone) - Branden Albert
15. Detroit Lions (Adam P.) - Rashard Mendenhall
16. Arizona Cardinals (Scott C.) - Aquib Talib
17. Minnesota Vikings (Tim L.) - Jeff Otah
18. Houston Texans (Jimmy) - Mike Jenkins
19. Philadelphia Eagles (Andy G.) - Devin Thomas
20. Tampa Bay Bucs (Robert O.) - Antoine Cason
21. Washington Redskins (James M.) - Philip Merling
22. Dallas Cowboys (Marv) - Jonathan Stewart
23. Pittsburgh Steelers (Matt G.) - Gosder Cherilus
Comments
- Many of those sacks were simply a result of Ben holding onto the ball too long.
Holy cow! You are only the 2nd person I've ever heard say this. (The first was me in the middle of the season).
Seriously, the O-line is not the problem so much as Big Ben windshield-scrambled brains.
Posted by: Dennis | April 18, 2008 02:48 PM
I think it has to do with Ben's ability to shed tacklers. He knows he can do it so he tries to make the big play after shedding the tackle rather than get rid of the ball in pressure.
I think in time he will get the balance between risk and reward right.
Posted by: Matt | April 18, 2008 04:14 PM
Hmmm right after the pick this clip goes up on PFT?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iCHi5O1KvQ
I feel validated
Posted by: Matt | April 19, 2008 12:41 AM
Dan,
Ummmm perhaps the 85 Bears.
Posted by: b roo | April 19, 2008 01:08 AM