The NFL Draft is only hours away, and everyone is weighing in with their opinions. The folks at NFL Network held their NFL Draft luncheon in Chicago on Wednesday, and some of the analysts gave their take on the Steelers as the draft closes in.
Here is a look at what they had to say.
- Ike Taylor, former Steelers cornerback and NFL Now analyst:
On what the Steelers need to get to the Super Bowl:
"Just stay healthy. The last couple of years that's has been the only issue, not being able to stay healthy. You get three of your superstar guys, Antonio Brown, Le'Veon Bell and Le'Veon Bell out of a playoff game and still have a chance to win. They still need to do some work on defense, everybody is going to say the secondary which they could use some help there. Ben (Roethlisberger) has all of the weapons he needs on offense. This is the second year with Keith Butler as defensive coordinator. Right now Pittsburgh has good problems. Going to the Super Bowl and winning; that is what Pittsburgh is used to. We have to get back to that."
On the Steelers 'team' philosophy when drafting:
"Hands down that's a key. Just understanding usually general managers and head coaches don't see eye to eye. Mike Tomlin and Kevin Colbert, they have a good marriage and that is usual. Kevin has been doing it for a while, and Coach T gets it. He understands the draft process. He knows what he is looking for. I was fortunate to be there for training camp in the scouting and coaches meetings and saw the best of both worlds. It's tough for them to be on the same page, that's where you usually see the turmoil in the front office. The head coach and general manager normally aren't. But Coach T and Kevin are on the same page which is good for the whole organization."
Curtis Conway, NFL Network analyst and former NFL wide receiver:
On what the Steelers need to get to the Super Bowl:
"When I look at the Steelers, health is number one. I don't think one player is going to come in and change what they do. Can they add help, every team can. Look how far they went last year. They aren't that far off. I don't think a guy in the draft is going to help, I think they are solid enough. I think it's about staying healthy for the Steelers. I like what they have. If you have Le'Veon Bell all year, if you have Ben Roethlisberger all year, those are two really important pieces. Then continue to build the defense. The Steelers were hot when the defense was hot. You can go back to the Terry Bradshaw days with the Steel Curtain and Mel Blount. If they build on the defensive side of the ball and get depth, you can make the postseason and have a chance to make it to the Super Bowl."
On the Steelers 'team' philosophy when drafting:
"I think it's a real key. The Steelers organization is one of the most respected in the NFL just because of the way they do business. You have to respect the way they do business, win or lose. I love it. I would have loved to have played for an organization like the Steelers because you know what they do in house. You have to be on the same page and understand your mission. You can have division in those war rooms. You see the Steelers being the type of organization being on the same page. It helps you as a team and the players respect it because they know you are drafting for need. Players want to know that you are doing what is best for the guys in the locker room."
On why the Steelers approach works:
"I think it starts from the top. There is a certain culture in Pittsburgh that you buy into as a player. When you know you have the support from the owners, and they are around, and it trickles down to the coaches, you want to play for the organization, you want to buy into it. When you get that support, players respect it. When you respect it, you can go out and give your all because you know where you stand, where the team stands."
Bucky Brooks, NFL Network analyst who played five seasons in the NFL and worked in several pro personnel and scouting departments in the league.
On the Steelers approach to the NFL Draft:
"The big thing for them is looking to find guys that can affect the game by creating turnovers. In the secondary, it's those guys that have a resume of turnovers, knock-aways, forced fumbles, creating game changing plays. Up front inside is being able to stop the run early. They need to have guys on the interior that can occupy gaps and make sure guys can run and chase behind them and have pass rushers that can pass rush without blitzing. When you are able to get the rush with the coverage, that's where you are able to get the turnovers."
On the Steelers 'team' philosophy when drafting:
"It's always a key. You have to have tremendous communication and trust between the general manager and the head coach. The general manager's job is to pick the players, but he needs to be in lock step with the head coach in terms of what kind of players fit the scheme they are running. With Kevin Colbert and Mike Tomlin, the numerous conversations, they should be able to see the game out of the same eye and make sure they are bringing the kind of players that fit what Mike Tomlin envisions on offense and defense."
