1 00:00:03,760 --> 00:00:07,080 Speaker 1: Please. He's the Drive with Dale Lolly and Matt Williamson, 2 00:00:08,920 --> 00:00:22,800 Speaker 1: home of the Black and Gold Steelers Nation Radio. Welcome 3 00:00:22,840 --> 00:00:25,600 Speaker 1: to the Drive. I'm Dale Allily here with Matt Williamson 4 00:00:25,600 --> 00:00:29,560 Speaker 1: and we apologize. Yeah, Jacob, we gotta get that answer 5 00:00:29,640 --> 00:00:32,520 Speaker 1: Marjory's garbage out of the rotation. And really we should 6 00:00:32,520 --> 00:00:34,559 Speaker 1: have had some Zeppelin. We should have had some Zeppelin 7 00:00:34,600 --> 00:00:39,120 Speaker 1: for Tony. Our guest, Tony Pauline of the Pro Football Network. Uh. 8 00:00:39,159 --> 00:00:41,840 Speaker 1: Tony joined us last year at the Combine. I've talked 9 00:00:41,840 --> 00:00:43,920 Speaker 1: to Tony over the years, back going back to our 10 00:00:44,000 --> 00:00:48,720 Speaker 1: days with Scout and Uh, Tony, how you doing. I'm okay. 11 00:00:48,760 --> 00:00:51,600 Speaker 1: I missed seeing you guys the Combine and I missed 12 00:00:51,640 --> 00:00:55,560 Speaker 1: my zeppelin conversations with Matt. They're always interesting, no question, 13 00:00:55,600 --> 00:00:58,400 Speaker 1: but this is a an interesting time of the year, 14 00:00:58,480 --> 00:01:01,360 Speaker 1: especially for people like you're elf who were focused in 15 00:01:01,840 --> 00:01:05,720 Speaker 1: on the draft and Tony. I've got your your big 16 00:01:05,760 --> 00:01:08,160 Speaker 1: board up here in front of me, and of course, 17 00:01:08,200 --> 00:01:11,000 Speaker 1: like everybody else, you have Trevor Lawrence number one on 18 00:01:11,080 --> 00:01:15,039 Speaker 1: your on your big board. But you have some interesting 19 00:01:15,080 --> 00:01:18,720 Speaker 1: guys after that, and this is that everybody has for 20 00:01:18,760 --> 00:01:21,440 Speaker 1: the most part, has Trevor Lawrence number one. I've seen 21 00:01:21,560 --> 00:01:24,240 Speaker 1: a couple of guys, Chris Simms I think had had 22 00:01:24,360 --> 00:01:28,839 Speaker 1: Wilson Zach Wilson ahead of him. Uh, but that order 23 00:01:29,040 --> 00:01:32,479 Speaker 1: of those other guys in the top ten um kind 24 00:01:32,480 --> 00:01:36,679 Speaker 1: of depends on who's who's ranking them, I would say, so. Plus, 25 00:01:36,840 --> 00:01:38,520 Speaker 1: you know, I mean a lot of these guys we 26 00:01:38,600 --> 00:01:40,760 Speaker 1: did not have to combine this year, so these guys 27 00:01:40,760 --> 00:01:42,920 Speaker 1: didn't get to work out, whether it be the testing, 28 00:01:42,959 --> 00:01:47,080 Speaker 1: whether it be the positional drills. We're basically so solely 29 00:01:47,200 --> 00:01:50,520 Speaker 1: lying relying, i should say, on the pro day workouts. 30 00:01:50,560 --> 00:01:53,840 Speaker 1: And you know, most of those guys except for really 31 00:01:53,880 --> 00:01:57,800 Speaker 1: Devanta Smith in my top ten or or all underclassman. 32 00:01:58,280 --> 00:02:00,800 Speaker 1: And when you have underclassman, it means you have a 33 00:02:00,920 --> 00:02:05,400 Speaker 1: lack of really concrete information on many of these guys, 34 00:02:05,400 --> 00:02:07,080 Speaker 1: so you rank them the way you see him, and 35 00:02:07,120 --> 00:02:10,880 Speaker 1: then you've got to adjust as those true measurables the 36 00:02:10,960 --> 00:02:14,160 Speaker 1: two forty times things like that start to pour in. Well, 37 00:02:14,200 --> 00:02:17,440 Speaker 1: not only that, but I'm looking here and the guys 38 00:02:17,480 --> 00:02:20,280 Speaker 1: you have ranked right after Trevor Lawrence, Jamar Chas and 39 00:02:20,400 --> 00:02:25,560 Speaker 1: Piney Sewell also opted out absolutely, so you're relying on 40 00:02:25,600 --> 00:02:30,000 Speaker 1: two thousand nineteen film. I think it's the opt out 41 00:02:30,040 --> 00:02:34,080 Speaker 1: really isn't gonna hurt those guys that much, because literally 42 00:02:34,120 --> 00:02:36,200 Speaker 1: from the time both of those players Chase the su 43 00:02:36,280 --> 00:02:39,200 Speaker 1: will step down the field as freshman. You knew they 44 00:02:39,200 --> 00:02:41,919 Speaker 1: were big time prospects because of the way they played, 45 00:02:41,960 --> 00:02:44,560 Speaker 1: so you would have preferred that they played in two 46 00:02:44,600 --> 00:02:47,640 Speaker 1: thousand twenty. I think there were other players who opted 47 00:02:47,680 --> 00:02:50,000 Speaker 1: out who kind of hurt themselves, and we'll find out 48 00:02:50,000 --> 00:02:52,560 Speaker 1: on draft day. But yeah, I mean you you make 49 00:02:52,600 --> 00:02:56,400 Speaker 1: a good point for whether it's Jamorrow, Chase or Penney Sewell, 50 00:02:56,800 --> 00:03:00,120 Speaker 1: select Farley down further down the line, and some the 51 00:03:00,160 --> 00:03:03,119 Speaker 1: other guys that opted out, you're basically that you're going 52 00:03:03,200 --> 00:03:05,239 Speaker 1: to have to rely on old information or at least 53 00:03:05,280 --> 00:03:07,720 Speaker 1: old film to come to your grade and come to 54 00:03:07,760 --> 00:03:11,720 Speaker 1: your opinion on the player. Tony and I want to 55 00:03:11,760 --> 00:03:13,280 Speaker 1: have I have all kinds of draft stuff I want 56 00:03:13,280 --> 00:03:16,200 Speaker 1: to bounce off you, But Tony's also really doubt in 57 00:03:16,280 --> 00:03:19,160 Speaker 1: with the league and rumors and stuff going on behind 58 00:03:19,200 --> 00:03:22,120 Speaker 1: the scenes. I know you have a Deshaun Watson take 59 00:03:22,320 --> 00:03:25,520 Speaker 1: or possible destination or what's your thoughts on that situation 60 00:03:25,639 --> 00:03:31,040 Speaker 1: right now? When the whole situation broke and Deshaun Watson 61 00:03:31,280 --> 00:03:33,639 Speaker 1: said he wanted to be trade and there were inklings 62 00:03:33,680 --> 00:03:36,880 Speaker 1: that he wanted out of Houston. Everybody was pointing the 63 00:03:36,920 --> 00:03:38,880 Speaker 1: finger or figuring he was on his way to the 64 00:03:38,920 --> 00:03:42,400 Speaker 1: New York Jets, who probably need a quarterback, have a 65 00:03:42,440 --> 00:03:47,840 Speaker 1: ton of draft capital to move, and really with Joe Douglas, 66 00:03:48,560 --> 00:03:51,800 Speaker 1: it'll be it would be Joe Douglass's quarterback. Uh and 67 00:03:51,920 --> 00:03:54,200 Speaker 1: Jet fans here in New York wanted that trade to 68 00:03:54,200 --> 00:03:59,120 Speaker 1: happen a month ago. That's very unlikely to happen. People 69 00:03:59,120 --> 00:04:02,600 Speaker 1: in the media believe that he's gonna end up when Miami. 70 00:04:02,800 --> 00:04:05,520 Speaker 1: Miami also has some draft capital. They got the third 71 00:04:05,520 --> 00:04:08,720 Speaker 1: pick of this year's draft, They've got the TA who 72 00:04:08,760 --> 00:04:11,840 Speaker 1: if they trade for DeShawn Watson, obviously it's very likely 73 00:04:11,880 --> 00:04:14,240 Speaker 1: to it will be in that including the package. So 74 00:04:14,280 --> 00:04:16,839 Speaker 1: you're looking at, you know, a pair of top five 75 00:04:16,920 --> 00:04:22,200 Speaker 1: picks plus additional draft selections being moved to Houston. But 76 00:04:22,279 --> 00:04:25,120 Speaker 1: the more and more I talked to people inside the league, 77 00:04:25,480 --> 00:04:28,239 Speaker 1: the more and more they say, if he gets moved, 78 00:04:28,520 --> 00:04:31,599 Speaker 1: he's gonna end up in Carolina because the Carolina owner, 79 00:04:31,680 --> 00:04:34,920 Speaker 1: David Tepper, is hell bent I'm bringing to Shawn Watson 80 00:04:35,240 --> 00:04:38,760 Speaker 1: to Carolina. And this was the same guy who I 81 00:04:38,800 --> 00:04:42,599 Speaker 1: think surprised everybody and wouldn't let Matt Rule out of 82 00:04:42,640 --> 00:04:45,640 Speaker 1: the building a year ago before signing him, signing into 83 00:04:45,680 --> 00:04:49,400 Speaker 1: a huge contract and giving him almost an abundant amount 84 00:04:49,440 --> 00:04:53,400 Speaker 1: of powers. So, uh, everybody, it's not just the owner though, 85 00:04:53,440 --> 00:04:57,200 Speaker 1: everyone else, the new general manager, Scott Fritterer, the head coach, 86 00:04:57,240 --> 00:04:59,960 Speaker 1: They're all seemed to be in line with bringing Deshaun 87 00:05:00,160 --> 00:05:04,240 Speaker 1: Watson to Carolina. So league insiders tell me they've told 88 00:05:04,279 --> 00:05:06,920 Speaker 1: me for a couple of weeks now that Carolina they 89 00:05:06,960 --> 00:05:10,880 Speaker 1: feel Carolina is probably a slight favorite right now if 90 00:05:10,920 --> 00:05:14,000 Speaker 1: a trade happens for Deshaun Watson, but nothing is imminent. 91 00:05:14,080 --> 00:05:15,560 Speaker 1: It's not like it's going to happen in a week 92 00:05:15,680 --> 00:05:18,960 Speaker 1: or so. Obviously, you know Deshaun Watson in the in 93 00:05:19,040 --> 00:05:21,680 Speaker 1: the headlines these days. You'll have to wait and see 94 00:05:21,680 --> 00:05:24,000 Speaker 1: what happens with that. I think it will be if 95 00:05:24,000 --> 00:05:28,080 Speaker 1: he's moved, it will be much closer to to draft weekends. 96 00:05:28,279 --> 00:05:30,960 Speaker 1: Our guest is Tony Pauline and the Pro Football Network, 97 00:05:31,000 --> 00:05:33,800 Speaker 1: And to your point with that, Tony, I think right 98 00:05:33,800 --> 00:05:37,320 Speaker 1: now he's untreatable as good as he is he could 99 00:05:37,360 --> 00:05:41,640 Speaker 1: be looking at a very long suspension here potentially. You know, 100 00:05:41,960 --> 00:05:44,760 Speaker 1: these are allegations and they're just that, and there's no 101 00:05:44,839 --> 00:05:49,800 Speaker 1: criminal investigation as of yet. So uh, you know, hey, 102 00:05:49,839 --> 00:05:52,480 Speaker 1: we're we're in Pittsburgh, Tony. We saw Ben Roethlisberger get 103 00:05:52,520 --> 00:05:56,200 Speaker 1: suspended for six games for for with no criminal charges following. Yeah, 104 00:05:56,200 --> 00:05:59,440 Speaker 1: I understand that, and again, these are allegations. At this 105 00:05:59,480 --> 00:06:01,560 Speaker 1: point in time, it would just leave it at that. 106 00:06:01,800 --> 00:06:05,200 Speaker 1: I mean, I still don't know that he's undraftable because 107 00:06:05,279 --> 00:06:09,080 Speaker 1: even if he's suspended, there's gonna be a team that says, Okay, listen, 108 00:06:09,120 --> 00:06:11,479 Speaker 1: you know, we saw what happened with Kareem Hunts. We'll we'll, 109 00:06:11,560 --> 00:06:15,039 Speaker 1: we'll wait out that suspension and bring the guy in 110 00:06:15,279 --> 00:06:19,920 Speaker 1: if in fact that happens. Tony. People can find your 111 00:06:20,040 --> 00:06:24,880 Speaker 1: quarterback rankings in this draft. But your hunch, what order 112 00:06:24,960 --> 00:06:27,080 Speaker 1: do you think they'll end up falling? You know, whether 113 00:06:27,120 --> 00:06:29,960 Speaker 1: you agree with it or not. I think it's gonna 114 00:06:29,960 --> 00:06:32,839 Speaker 1: be Trevor Lawrence number one. I think that's really part 115 00:06:32,839 --> 00:06:35,680 Speaker 1: of the reason why urban Meyer took that job in Jacksonville. 116 00:06:36,120 --> 00:06:38,640 Speaker 1: I think Zack Wilson is going to go number two 117 00:06:39,400 --> 00:06:42,640 Speaker 1: to the new York Jets. It gets a little hazy 118 00:06:42,839 --> 00:06:46,599 Speaker 1: after that. I think trade lance could be selected before 119 00:06:46,680 --> 00:06:50,480 Speaker 1: justin fields. Then it will be Mac Jones. The sleeper 120 00:06:50,600 --> 00:06:53,960 Speaker 1: right now, when I say sleeper, the guy who can 121 00:06:54,000 --> 00:06:56,720 Speaker 1: make a big move and maybe peek into the late 122 00:06:56,839 --> 00:07:00,599 Speaker 1: part of the first round is Kellen mund of temptas 123 00:07:00,720 --> 00:07:02,839 Speaker 1: A and m who's been gaining a lot of traction 124 00:07:03,240 --> 00:07:06,760 Speaker 1: at a lot of momentum the past couple of weeks. Interesting, Yeah, 125 00:07:06,839 --> 00:07:09,840 Speaker 1: he was my sleeper, Matt and I do uh a 126 00:07:09,840 --> 00:07:14,640 Speaker 1: triple take with another another uh guy that in the 127 00:07:14,640 --> 00:07:17,400 Speaker 1: media here in Pittsburgh for the Steelers dot Com, and 128 00:07:17,440 --> 00:07:20,320 Speaker 1: he was my sleeper quarterback. Really liked what I mean. 129 00:07:20,600 --> 00:07:23,200 Speaker 1: He didn't have a great week of Senior Bowl practices, 130 00:07:23,800 --> 00:07:25,360 Speaker 1: but I thought he played well in the game. And 131 00:07:25,400 --> 00:07:28,040 Speaker 1: that's to me. I put more weight on on what 132 00:07:28,080 --> 00:07:30,440 Speaker 1: they do. You know, you have after having all a 133 00:07:30,560 --> 00:07:32,920 Speaker 1: lot of stuff thrown at them over the course of 134 00:07:32,960 --> 00:07:34,280 Speaker 1: the Senior Bowl week. If he can go out there 135 00:07:34,320 --> 00:07:36,040 Speaker 1: and play in the game, that that means a little 136 00:07:36,040 --> 00:07:39,400 Speaker 1: bit more than me. But Tony, the Steelers sitting at 137 00:07:39,400 --> 00:07:42,240 Speaker 1: twenty four, and they just of course brought back Jujie 138 00:07:42,240 --> 00:07:45,160 Speaker 1: Smith Schuster, but also said that, uh, hey, we're gonna 139 00:07:45,200 --> 00:07:48,320 Speaker 1: We're gonna allow Stephen Nelson to explore a trade. Does 140 00:07:48,400 --> 00:07:52,440 Speaker 1: that move cornerback into the into the equation for them 141 00:07:52,480 --> 00:07:57,360 Speaker 1: at twenty four? It may, although I think, you know, 142 00:07:58,040 --> 00:08:00,560 Speaker 1: one of the top cornerbacks like a j See Horn 143 00:08:00,640 --> 00:08:03,400 Speaker 1: or somebody would have to fall to them, uh in 144 00:08:03,520 --> 00:08:07,680 Speaker 1: order uh four cornerback to be selected. There maybe a 145 00:08:07,800 --> 00:08:11,000 Speaker 1: Kelvin Joseph of Kentucky. He if he runs well, he 146 00:08:11,040 --> 00:08:14,880 Speaker 1: fits that system. But with the holes on the offensive line, 147 00:08:15,000 --> 00:08:17,480 Speaker 1: I think that's an area that you're really going to 148 00:08:17,560 --> 00:08:21,080 Speaker 1: have to address. And the fact is very likely when 149 00:08:21,120 --> 00:08:24,680 Speaker 1: they are called to the clock, you know, whatever offensive 150 00:08:24,680 --> 00:08:27,120 Speaker 1: tackle is still on the board is going to be 151 00:08:27,400 --> 00:08:32,120 Speaker 1: rated significantly higher than any other cornerback that would be 152 00:08:32,160 --> 00:08:34,800 Speaker 1: on the board at that time. Tony, we often use 153 00:08:34,920 --> 00:08:39,560 Speaker 1: the exceptional Pro Football Network mock draft simulator here on 154 00:08:39,640 --> 00:08:41,920 Speaker 1: this show, and I know you've got some things to 155 00:08:41,960 --> 00:08:46,439 Speaker 1: do with that. Often we end up with Javonte Williams 156 00:08:46,559 --> 00:08:50,680 Speaker 1: or Nause Harris, mostly because we feel like there's a 157 00:08:50,679 --> 00:08:53,720 Speaker 1: big drop off to the other Bell Cow type backs. 158 00:08:54,800 --> 00:08:57,480 Speaker 1: Tackle makes suns of sense. Do you have a preference 159 00:08:57,480 --> 00:08:59,880 Speaker 1: between Williams and Harris, and is it distinctive to you 160 00:09:00,040 --> 00:09:03,560 Speaker 1: at this point. It's Najia Harris all along, and it 161 00:09:03,559 --> 00:09:05,840 Speaker 1: always has been. I feel he's the number one back 162 00:09:06,040 --> 00:09:08,560 Speaker 1: in this draft. As I said, all along, He's a 163 00:09:08,600 --> 00:09:11,640 Speaker 1: mid first round talent who I think plays a Day 164 00:09:11,640 --> 00:09:15,720 Speaker 1: two position. He's much more complete than Javantay Williams. I 165 00:09:15,800 --> 00:09:20,040 Speaker 1: like Javontay Williams. I love Najay Harris. He's pretty's bigger 166 00:09:20,080 --> 00:09:24,080 Speaker 1: than Javonte Williams. He's probably he's definitely better around the 167 00:09:24,160 --> 00:09:28,360 Speaker 1: corner than Javonte Williams, better pass pass catcher, really a 168 00:09:28,480 --> 00:09:32,000 Speaker 1: three down back. And you know why I like Javonte Williams. 169 00:09:32,400 --> 00:09:34,640 Speaker 1: Could be for the better, it could not be maybe 170 00:09:34,640 --> 00:09:36,960 Speaker 1: for the worst. Remember he shared the ball in North 171 00:09:37,000 --> 00:09:41,280 Speaker 1: Carolina with Michael Carter, where Najay Harris was feed back 172 00:09:41,480 --> 00:09:45,440 Speaker 1: the number one ball carrier at Alabama for four years, 173 00:09:45,559 --> 00:09:47,720 Speaker 1: and he knows what it means to be a feature 174 00:09:47,760 --> 00:09:50,960 Speaker 1: runner at the next level. I think both players are good, 175 00:09:51,120 --> 00:09:53,760 Speaker 1: you know, would be terrific fits, uh for the for 176 00:09:53,800 --> 00:09:58,520 Speaker 1: the Steeler system. But I like Najia Harris better. Tony 177 00:09:59,000 --> 00:10:03,280 Speaker 1: One thing that that we've looked at recently, um, it's 178 00:10:03,320 --> 00:10:06,679 Speaker 1: just inside linebacker position, uh in this year's draft, and 179 00:10:06,760 --> 00:10:08,920 Speaker 1: I think it's I think it's kind of the most 180 00:10:09,000 --> 00:10:12,320 Speaker 1: more underrated position in this year's draft. I when we 181 00:10:12,320 --> 00:10:16,280 Speaker 1: were studying these guys, I was coming up with with ten, eleven, 182 00:10:16,320 --> 00:10:18,640 Speaker 1: twelve guys that I looked at. That guy would look good. 183 00:10:19,000 --> 00:10:20,800 Speaker 1: That guy looks I like it when he moves in space. There. 184 00:10:21,040 --> 00:10:23,080 Speaker 1: It's just a lot of depth at that position this year, 185 00:10:23,120 --> 00:10:25,720 Speaker 1: and I don't think anybody's really talking about it. And 186 00:10:25,760 --> 00:10:27,600 Speaker 1: there's a lot of versatility. I mean there's a lot 187 00:10:27,600 --> 00:10:32,360 Speaker 1: of three down defenders. You know. You you look at Jeremiah. 188 00:10:32,679 --> 00:10:34,600 Speaker 1: I'm not even gonna try and pronounce his le well 189 00:10:34,679 --> 00:10:38,640 Speaker 1: sue Corey Moura, thank you from not your dame. I mean, 190 00:10:39,040 --> 00:10:43,000 Speaker 1: he's obviously at the top. I like Dylan Moses of 191 00:10:43,040 --> 00:10:45,520 Speaker 1: Alabama a lot. I know he didn't play or he 192 00:10:45,520 --> 00:10:48,560 Speaker 1: didn't have the great stats this year, uh coming off 193 00:10:48,600 --> 00:10:50,640 Speaker 1: the knee injury, but he was more he was asked 194 00:10:50,679 --> 00:10:54,720 Speaker 1: more to stay with responsibility, stay with more you know, 195 00:10:54,880 --> 00:10:56,960 Speaker 1: gap assignments and that sort of thing is rather than 196 00:10:57,000 --> 00:11:00,720 Speaker 1: making plays on the ball. Daron Browning of Hile State 197 00:11:01,120 --> 00:11:05,120 Speaker 1: great athlete developing into a football player Jabril Cox to 198 00:11:05,320 --> 00:11:07,520 Speaker 1: L s u by Way of North Dakota State, another 199 00:11:07,559 --> 00:11:11,120 Speaker 1: three down defender, and then even later on you've got sleepers. 200 00:11:11,720 --> 00:11:15,400 Speaker 1: Make sure you watch Derek Barnes of Perdue, UH slightly 201 00:11:15,480 --> 00:11:19,400 Speaker 1: under six ft one pounds. He runs well, He's a 202 00:11:19,440 --> 00:11:23,160 Speaker 1: heavy hitter, He's instinctive stack swell against the run, can 203 00:11:23,240 --> 00:11:26,199 Speaker 1: drop in the coverage. You know that his paper Perdue 204 00:11:26,200 --> 00:11:28,199 Speaker 1: was outstanding. When I was sitting with scouts at the 205 00:11:28,240 --> 00:11:31,280 Speaker 1: Senior Bowl, they were amazed how easily he was able 206 00:11:31,320 --> 00:11:34,000 Speaker 1: to stick with running backs and tight ends downfield and 207 00:11:34,040 --> 00:11:36,959 Speaker 1: coverage drill. So I would agree with you. I mean, 208 00:11:37,000 --> 00:11:39,400 Speaker 1: some of these guys Ernest Jones and South Carolina guy 209 00:11:39,440 --> 00:11:42,200 Speaker 1: who's more of a you know, two down run defender, 210 00:11:42,240 --> 00:11:44,800 Speaker 1: but he's very good at that. You'll be able to get, 211 00:11:44,960 --> 00:11:47,840 Speaker 1: I believe, inside linebackers through Day three of the draft. 212 00:11:47,920 --> 00:11:51,440 Speaker 1: Justin Hilliard of Ohio State, a guy who wasn't even 213 00:11:51,520 --> 00:11:55,040 Speaker 1: mentioned coming into the season, had a knockout campaign in 214 00:11:55,080 --> 00:11:58,240 Speaker 1: two thousands twenty. Now he looks like a mid Day 215 00:11:58,280 --> 00:12:02,400 Speaker 1: three selection. The opposite seems to be true at defensive tackle. 216 00:12:02,480 --> 00:12:04,839 Speaker 1: No matter what size and shape you're after, I mean, 217 00:12:04,840 --> 00:12:08,480 Speaker 1: whether it's a a longer Cam Hayward stuff on two 218 00:12:08,480 --> 00:12:11,440 Speaker 1: A type or a nose or somewhere in between. Those 219 00:12:11,480 --> 00:12:14,880 Speaker 1: lines are blurrier than ever. I mean, I certainly don't 220 00:12:14,880 --> 00:12:17,000 Speaker 1: think the Steelers are go in that direction super early 221 00:12:17,000 --> 00:12:19,240 Speaker 1: in the draft. But is there two or three guys 222 00:12:19,280 --> 00:12:22,240 Speaker 1: that you know, maybe it would be some value. It's 223 00:12:22,240 --> 00:12:25,160 Speaker 1: a it's a rough group. Yeah, No, first round there's 224 00:12:25,200 --> 00:12:27,640 Speaker 1: I mean, some people have Christian bar More going in 225 00:12:27,679 --> 00:12:30,120 Speaker 1: the first round. I still grit him as a second 226 00:12:30,200 --> 00:12:34,240 Speaker 1: round prospect. All of these guys have issues in one 227 00:12:34,240 --> 00:12:37,960 Speaker 1: way or another in their game. Bar More, he's really 228 00:12:38,000 --> 00:12:40,000 Speaker 1: not very strong at the point of attack. He's more 229 00:12:40,000 --> 00:12:43,280 Speaker 1: of a first first step lineman. The kid from Washington. 230 00:12:43,480 --> 00:12:46,800 Speaker 1: He's explosive, he's quick, but he's not a real stout 231 00:12:46,920 --> 00:12:52,000 Speaker 1: sort of defensive tackle pounds. I like Davian Nixon a lot, 232 00:12:52,480 --> 00:12:55,600 Speaker 1: but I think he's going to uh be pegged as 233 00:12:55,640 --> 00:12:59,520 Speaker 1: a two down the defensive lineman, not a good pass rusher. 234 00:12:59,559 --> 00:13:02,120 Speaker 1: I don't think that's correct. You know, if you're looking 235 00:13:02,160 --> 00:13:04,120 Speaker 1: for a guy later on in the draft, Day three, 236 00:13:04,160 --> 00:13:06,760 Speaker 1: Elle McNeil of North Carolina State is a guy to 237 00:13:06,840 --> 00:13:10,200 Speaker 1: keep an eye on. Only goes about six ft one pounds, 238 00:13:10,280 --> 00:13:13,160 Speaker 1: but he moves exceptionally well, shows the ability, you know, 239 00:13:13,240 --> 00:13:16,599 Speaker 1: to hold the point. I'm not they'll compares him to 240 00:13:16,640 --> 00:13:20,679 Speaker 1: Javon Hardrave a lot. I think that's a good comparison. Yeah, 241 00:13:20,720 --> 00:13:23,320 Speaker 1: I'm not a big fan of the way Marvin Wilson 242 00:13:23,360 --> 00:13:26,240 Speaker 1: of Florida State has played the past two years. But 243 00:13:26,280 --> 00:13:29,319 Speaker 1: if you go back to Marvin Wilson's film as a sophomore, 244 00:13:29,840 --> 00:13:31,720 Speaker 1: I mean, he looked like he was going to be 245 00:13:31,760 --> 00:13:33,760 Speaker 1: the next coming in, the next great lineman from the 246 00:13:33,760 --> 00:13:37,000 Speaker 1: Florida State program. Six three and a half, three nineteen 247 00:13:37,000 --> 00:13:39,400 Speaker 1: pounds and he's athletics. So it's just a matter of, 248 00:13:39,679 --> 00:13:42,440 Speaker 1: you know, getting in his head and figuring what's going 249 00:13:42,480 --> 00:13:44,640 Speaker 1: on and can you get him back to the level 250 00:13:44,679 --> 00:13:47,960 Speaker 1: he was in two thousand and eighteen, and even you know, 251 00:13:48,120 --> 00:13:50,320 Speaker 1: later on in the draft, guy like Nick Kwan Jones 252 00:13:50,320 --> 00:13:52,680 Speaker 1: of Michigan State, as they said to a scout yesterday, 253 00:13:52,679 --> 00:13:55,320 Speaker 1: and he grew with me. Ni Kuan Jones is a 254 00:13:55,520 --> 00:13:58,199 Speaker 1: third round talent who plays like a free agent. So 255 00:13:58,280 --> 00:14:03,200 Speaker 1: it's just getting between the ears, lighting a fire underneath 256 00:14:03,200 --> 00:14:05,120 Speaker 1: his rear end and getting him to play up to 257 00:14:05,160 --> 00:14:08,079 Speaker 1: his level of ability. If you can do that. You've 258 00:14:08,120 --> 00:14:10,280 Speaker 1: got a real good player on your hands. What about 259 00:14:10,320 --> 00:14:13,679 Speaker 1: the guy who who just worked out yesterday, Milton Williams 260 00:14:13,760 --> 00:14:17,240 Speaker 1: at a Louisian attach. Uh just put up ridiculous numbers 261 00:14:18,200 --> 00:14:22,000 Speaker 1: but has some you know, obvious drawbacks, short arms, that 262 00:14:22,080 --> 00:14:25,640 Speaker 1: kind of stuff, but obviously athletically, Um, you could be 263 00:14:25,680 --> 00:14:30,400 Speaker 1: getting a steel there on day three. Oh well maybe 264 00:14:31,080 --> 00:14:33,600 Speaker 1: not day three after after what he did yesterday. You know. 265 00:14:34,000 --> 00:14:36,080 Speaker 1: And again, if you you've been following as a profoble 266 00:14:36,120 --> 00:14:38,520 Speaker 1: on network, I've been on this guy actually this last summer. 267 00:14:38,560 --> 00:14:40,600 Speaker 1: But I talked about how he's gonna test off the 268 00:14:40,680 --> 00:14:43,080 Speaker 1: charts in December when he announced that he was going 269 00:14:43,120 --> 00:14:45,440 Speaker 1: to enter the draft. He's gonna go very I don't 270 00:14:45,480 --> 00:14:48,880 Speaker 1: think short arms the big issue for defensive linemen. Some 271 00:14:48,920 --> 00:14:51,680 Speaker 1: people like him at defensive line, some defensive ends, some 272 00:14:51,720 --> 00:14:54,520 Speaker 1: people like him at defensive tackle. You know. The thing 273 00:14:54,640 --> 00:14:58,640 Speaker 1: with uh Williams was he didn't have any Gordi stats 274 00:14:58,720 --> 00:15:01,040 Speaker 1: last year, And I wonder about that. How a guy 275 00:15:01,120 --> 00:15:04,560 Speaker 1: that's so big and so athletic and so explosive, you know, 276 00:15:04,720 --> 00:15:07,640 Speaker 1: the stat sheet wasn't that great. I was told by 277 00:15:07,720 --> 00:15:11,160 Speaker 1: people Louisiana Tech. The reason is he wasn't asked to 278 00:15:11,200 --> 00:15:14,120 Speaker 1: make place. He was asked to basically occupy the gats, 279 00:15:14,200 --> 00:15:17,000 Speaker 1: occupy the blockers, and let his teammates run to the 280 00:15:20,200 --> 00:15:22,400 Speaker 1: And the funny thing is just take let's take it 281 00:15:22,480 --> 00:15:25,320 Speaker 1: one step further. It was the same situation a year 282 00:15:25,320 --> 00:15:27,560 Speaker 1: ago with a guy by the name of Jarius Sneed, 283 00:15:27,960 --> 00:15:32,120 Speaker 1: the defensive back from Louisiana Tech, who was an knockout 284 00:15:32,200 --> 00:15:35,200 Speaker 1: corner as a sophomore in junior. Then they moved them 285 00:15:35,200 --> 00:15:37,240 Speaker 1: more to a safety position where they asked them just 286 00:15:37,320 --> 00:15:40,360 Speaker 1: to patrol center field, and he really made no plays. 287 00:15:40,360 --> 00:15:43,600 Speaker 1: In two thousand nineteen, the Kansas City Chiefs watched the 288 00:15:43,640 --> 00:15:46,200 Speaker 1: earlier film on him, took him in the fourth round, 289 00:15:46,240 --> 00:15:47,800 Speaker 1: and he turned out to you know, they used him 290 00:15:47,840 --> 00:15:50,400 Speaker 1: the way he should be used, and he was turned 291 00:15:50,440 --> 00:15:51,840 Speaker 1: out to be one of the you know, the better 292 00:15:51,880 --> 00:15:55,360 Speaker 1: defensive rookie defensive backs last year. So it's sort of 293 00:15:55,360 --> 00:15:58,080 Speaker 1: that situation. I think right now. I had a coach 294 00:15:58,120 --> 00:16:00,600 Speaker 1: called me from who was leaving the workout this morning, 295 00:16:00,600 --> 00:16:03,760 Speaker 1: who was in uh who was traveling, who was just 296 00:16:03,800 --> 00:16:06,520 Speaker 1: all excited. You know, now they're talking about him being 297 00:16:06,520 --> 00:16:09,120 Speaker 1: an early second round pick. I'm gonna take my foot 298 00:16:09,120 --> 00:16:11,240 Speaker 1: off the throttle on that. I think he's gonna be 299 00:16:11,280 --> 00:16:13,200 Speaker 1: gone though by the middle of a round the three. 300 00:16:13,680 --> 00:16:16,000 Speaker 1: It's amazing how often that happens to the scouting circles 301 00:16:16,080 --> 00:16:18,800 Speaker 1: using these guys. Right. A guy I'm not sure you 302 00:16:18,840 --> 00:16:21,520 Speaker 1: can use wrong is Kyle Pitts. I don't know that 303 00:16:21,600 --> 00:16:24,680 Speaker 1: I've ever seen a tight end like him. And I 304 00:16:24,720 --> 00:16:26,760 Speaker 1: got hired by the Browns the day after they took 305 00:16:26,840 --> 00:16:30,120 Speaker 1: Kellen Winslow and Vernon Davis and a lot of these 306 00:16:30,200 --> 00:16:33,040 Speaker 1: high picks. I don't know if everyone seen anyone like him. 307 00:16:33,760 --> 00:16:35,960 Speaker 1: And on the opposite end of the spectrum a tight end, 308 00:16:36,840 --> 00:16:38,560 Speaker 1: you happen to have a Day three guy that you 309 00:16:38,640 --> 00:16:41,800 Speaker 1: will you have a little soft spot for well, I 310 00:16:41,800 --> 00:16:43,800 Speaker 1: mean if you go back to Kyle Pits it's not 311 00:16:43,920 --> 00:16:46,640 Speaker 1: only you know, people talk about what Kyle Pitts has 312 00:16:46,760 --> 00:16:49,840 Speaker 1: done on film, and I understand that, but just watch 313 00:16:49,920 --> 00:16:52,120 Speaker 1: who he's done it against. I mean, if you go 314 00:16:52,160 --> 00:16:54,840 Speaker 1: to the SEC title game when they went Florida played 315 00:16:55,000 --> 00:16:59,880 Speaker 1: Alabama Alabama and Nick Saban lined up Patrick certain time 316 00:17:00,000 --> 00:17:03,160 Speaker 1: after time and NAN coverage against col Fits couldn't stop him. 317 00:17:03,440 --> 00:17:07,160 Speaker 1: South Carolina. South Carolina lined up J C. Horne, who's 318 00:17:07,200 --> 00:17:10,600 Speaker 1: the first round round cornerback. Anthom couldn't stop him. George 319 00:17:10,600 --> 00:17:13,320 Speaker 1: has got two terrific tight ends and Stokes in Thompson, 320 00:17:13,520 --> 00:17:17,280 Speaker 1: they're gonna be early second round choices. They couldn't stop him. 321 00:17:17,320 --> 00:17:20,280 Speaker 1: As far as a you know, a Day three sort 322 00:17:20,320 --> 00:17:24,520 Speaker 1: of tight end. John Bates out of Boise State. Not 323 00:17:24,640 --> 00:17:27,520 Speaker 1: the fastest guy in the world, but a terrific blocker 324 00:17:27,600 --> 00:17:31,159 Speaker 1: who's very efficient catching the ball. Trey McKitty out of 325 00:17:31,200 --> 00:17:34,800 Speaker 1: Georgia did not run last earlier this week at George's 326 00:17:34,840 --> 00:17:37,959 Speaker 1: pro day, is gonna run on April seven. I believe 327 00:17:38,520 --> 00:17:42,280 Speaker 1: uh he's a guy who's a terrific blocker, solid pass catcher, 328 00:17:42,640 --> 00:17:44,919 Speaker 1: day three pick. Not the fastest guy in the world, 329 00:17:45,280 --> 00:17:49,080 Speaker 1: but you can catch the ball. I like grandson of SMU. 330 00:17:49,200 --> 00:17:52,239 Speaker 1: I also like Nick Eubanks of Michigan, who early in 331 00:17:52,240 --> 00:17:54,960 Speaker 1: his career showed a lot of skill. He looks like 332 00:17:54,960 --> 00:17:58,040 Speaker 1: a power forward on the football. But like we've seen 333 00:17:58,080 --> 00:18:01,400 Speaker 1: a lot with Michigan prospikes under Jim Harbor, they just 334 00:18:01,440 --> 00:18:04,760 Speaker 1: don't seem to develop. They hit a wall and and 335 00:18:04,800 --> 00:18:07,560 Speaker 1: that's it. And that's the thing with That's the same 336 00:18:07,600 --> 00:18:10,760 Speaker 1: thing with Nick. You back He's got size, he's got speed. 337 00:18:10,760 --> 00:18:13,600 Speaker 1: He's shown some pet catching hands, but his game fell 338 00:18:13,760 --> 00:18:16,560 Speaker 1: flat last year. If you get him to develop from 339 00:18:16,600 --> 00:18:19,000 Speaker 1: where he was in two thousand eighteen two thousand nineteen, 340 00:18:19,000 --> 00:18:20,960 Speaker 1: you're gonna have a real good tight end on your hands. 341 00:18:21,200 --> 00:18:24,679 Speaker 1: Our guest Tony Paulina the Pro Football Network and Tony 342 00:18:26,359 --> 00:18:30,480 Speaker 1: center is an interesting position on Day two this year. 343 00:18:30,680 --> 00:18:32,280 Speaker 1: I don't know if we'll see any take it on 344 00:18:32,440 --> 00:18:34,639 Speaker 1: Day one of the draft. How do you how do 345 00:18:34,680 --> 00:18:38,000 Speaker 1: you stack the center position in this draft? I think 346 00:18:38,040 --> 00:18:41,000 Speaker 1: Creed Humphrey could actually slide into the late park around one. 347 00:18:41,080 --> 00:18:44,720 Speaker 1: Creed Humphrey of Oklahoma. He's a three twelve pound guy, 348 00:18:45,040 --> 00:18:47,760 Speaker 1: ran five oh nine at his pro day. He plays 349 00:18:47,840 --> 00:18:52,359 Speaker 1: athletic football. He's smart, he's heady. I've drawn comparisons to 350 00:18:52,480 --> 00:18:55,520 Speaker 1: Nick Mangold at equal points in the career. When Nick 351 00:18:55,600 --> 00:18:58,480 Speaker 1: mangle was a first round pick by the New York Jets, 352 00:18:58,480 --> 00:19:00,399 Speaker 1: and a lot of people in the league have agreed 353 00:19:00,440 --> 00:19:02,920 Speaker 1: with me after that was one of the best center 354 00:19:02,960 --> 00:19:06,800 Speaker 1: prospect I've ever seen. Uh, Creed Humphrey is terrific. I mean, 355 00:19:07,400 --> 00:19:10,119 Speaker 1: Creed Humphrey is and he's been good for three years 356 00:19:10,119 --> 00:19:12,360 Speaker 1: at Oklahoma. He probably could have entered the draft last 357 00:19:12,440 --> 00:19:15,639 Speaker 1: year and would have been the first center selected. You know, 358 00:19:15,720 --> 00:19:18,359 Speaker 1: he's smart, he's tough, but he's very good on his feet. 359 00:19:18,400 --> 00:19:20,520 Speaker 1: He would be very good in his own system where 360 00:19:20,520 --> 00:19:22,359 Speaker 1: you're asking your lineman to get out front and block. 361 00:19:23,000 --> 00:19:26,040 Speaker 1: It's a decent Uh, it's a decent proper centers. Josh 362 00:19:26,119 --> 00:19:29,080 Speaker 1: Myers of Ohio State is my second rated center. I 363 00:19:29,240 --> 00:19:31,920 Speaker 1: have him as a second round pick. Michael Manette, who 364 00:19:31,960 --> 00:19:35,000 Speaker 1: gets a lot, who is well liked in the scouting community. 365 00:19:35,080 --> 00:19:37,719 Speaker 1: I have him as a third rounder. Trey Hill of 366 00:19:37,760 --> 00:19:41,159 Speaker 1: Georgia is more of a Day three pick coming off 367 00:19:41,200 --> 00:19:43,520 Speaker 1: a slight injury, a guy who I thought played better 368 00:19:43,560 --> 00:19:45,960 Speaker 1: in two thousand nineteen than he did in two thousand twenty. 369 00:19:46,280 --> 00:19:48,840 Speaker 1: And a lot of people like Drew Dorman of Stanford. 370 00:19:49,119 --> 00:19:52,439 Speaker 1: I didn't mention Landon Dickerson. I think of Alabama, who 371 00:19:52,440 --> 00:19:55,200 Speaker 1: a lot of people love. I think on film. Landon 372 00:19:55,280 --> 00:19:58,680 Speaker 1: Dickerson is a Day two prospect, but his medical history 373 00:19:58,720 --> 00:20:00,800 Speaker 1: is awful. I mean, he didn't only played the first 374 00:20:00,800 --> 00:20:02,960 Speaker 1: three years he was a Flower State because the injuries. 375 00:20:03,280 --> 00:20:06,840 Speaker 1: Got injured in the semifinal game this year. Uh. And 376 00:20:06,880 --> 00:20:08,520 Speaker 1: when you have. When you have a guy that's three 377 00:20:09,280 --> 00:20:11,800 Speaker 1: pounds and can't stay healthy, that's an issue. Yeah, it's 378 00:20:11,800 --> 00:20:14,440 Speaker 1: a real problem. What about Kendrick Green of Illinois. I 379 00:20:14,520 --> 00:20:16,960 Speaker 1: know he played that played some guard this year, but 380 00:20:17,000 --> 00:20:19,919 Speaker 1: he's played center in the past and uh well, tested 381 00:20:19,960 --> 00:20:22,600 Speaker 1: well in his pro day. Yeah, he is a big, 382 00:20:22,640 --> 00:20:25,040 Speaker 1: tough guy. I have him right now as a fourth 383 00:20:25,119 --> 00:20:27,080 Speaker 1: round guard. You want to move him back to center, 384 00:20:27,160 --> 00:20:31,520 Speaker 1: that's fine. He's smart, He's very strong at the point 385 00:20:31,520 --> 00:20:33,960 Speaker 1: of attack. It's a lot of movement, run blocking. I 386 00:20:34,040 --> 00:20:36,760 Speaker 1: think right now, I actually have him as an early third, 387 00:20:37,440 --> 00:20:40,400 Speaker 1: early fourth round choice on my guard board. You want 388 00:20:40,400 --> 00:20:42,640 Speaker 1: to move him over to center, it's fine, and it's fine. 389 00:20:42,720 --> 00:20:46,040 Speaker 1: It's funny because I haven't ranked ahead of another guard 390 00:20:46,160 --> 00:20:50,120 Speaker 1: center type of lineman. And Jack Anderson of Texas Tech. Uh, 391 00:20:50,200 --> 00:20:52,879 Speaker 1: tall guy at three six five nine pounds who had 392 00:20:52,880 --> 00:20:54,720 Speaker 1: a real good week of practice at the Senior Bowl. 393 00:20:55,320 --> 00:20:57,600 Speaker 1: And Tony if the Steelers would miss out on nauj 394 00:20:58,160 --> 00:21:02,720 Speaker 1: or Javonte? Is there two hundred and twenty pound every 395 00:21:02,760 --> 00:21:07,320 Speaker 1: down back you like later, I mean Trey Sermon, VERMONDI Stevenson, 396 00:21:07,720 --> 00:21:10,440 Speaker 1: any of those type of dudes. My Tray Sermon, I 397 00:21:10,480 --> 00:21:13,160 Speaker 1: think he's gonna be uh, he's gonna be drafted, uh 398 00:21:13,359 --> 00:21:16,440 Speaker 1: more so in the in the third round. You want 399 00:21:16,480 --> 00:21:19,840 Speaker 1: if you think it's best receiving days or ahead of him, 400 00:21:19,920 --> 00:21:22,360 Speaker 1: his best receiving days are ahead of him. I think 401 00:21:22,440 --> 00:21:24,679 Speaker 1: he just bet game overall is the head of him, 402 00:21:24,880 --> 00:21:27,399 Speaker 1: you know, regardless of whether it's receiving or catching the ball. 403 00:21:27,840 --> 00:21:31,280 Speaker 1: Towards two twenty pound type backs, I'll give you two names. 404 00:21:31,400 --> 00:21:34,280 Speaker 1: Why your Michelle Mitchell out of Louisiana goes about two 405 00:21:34,359 --> 00:21:36,520 Speaker 1: hundred fifteen pounds, but he's five ten and a half. 406 00:21:36,960 --> 00:21:40,880 Speaker 1: He's a strong downhill ball carrier who shows excellent short 407 00:21:40,920 --> 00:21:43,760 Speaker 1: area quickness. He's got a teammate by the name Trigue 408 00:21:43,800 --> 00:21:46,760 Speaker 1: Ragis Louisiana is gonna be dressed. Both of those guys 409 00:21:46,760 --> 00:21:49,560 Speaker 1: are fifth six round picks. And then let's go back 410 00:21:49,560 --> 00:21:52,760 Speaker 1: to another Michigan guy. And I have no affinity for Michigan. 411 00:21:52,880 --> 00:21:54,560 Speaker 1: I'm not an alumni or anything, but I'm gonna mention 412 00:21:54,560 --> 00:21:57,600 Speaker 1: his name, Chris Evans. Chris Evans is a is a 413 00:21:57,680 --> 00:22:00,880 Speaker 1: kid who in two thousand and eighteen but phenomenal, I mean, 414 00:22:00,920 --> 00:22:04,400 Speaker 1: just show flashes of brilliance. Sat sat on the sidelines, 415 00:22:04,440 --> 00:22:07,800 Speaker 1: in two thousand nineteen because he was academically ineligible, came 416 00:22:07,840 --> 00:22:11,120 Speaker 1: into the season, was given second round grade by scouts 417 00:22:11,240 --> 00:22:14,119 Speaker 1: because they liked him so much. Uh, and two thousand 418 00:22:14,080 --> 00:22:16,679 Speaker 1: and eighteen they expect the big things from him. Was 419 00:22:16,760 --> 00:22:20,480 Speaker 1: basically hot and cold, as was the entire Wolverine offense 420 00:22:20,560 --> 00:22:23,959 Speaker 1: last year. Again, like Nick you Banks, the tight end 421 00:22:24,000 --> 00:22:26,320 Speaker 1: for Michigan, Chris Evans is a guy that's got an 422 00:22:26,359 --> 00:22:29,600 Speaker 1: abundant amount of upside. It's just tapping into the upside 423 00:22:29,960 --> 00:22:33,600 Speaker 1: as a five eleven, two nineteen pound back with outstanding 424 00:22:33,680 --> 00:22:36,560 Speaker 1: quickness and getting him to play at the level he's 425 00:22:36,560 --> 00:22:39,720 Speaker 1: capable of. Every uh he's capable of on an every 426 00:22:39,720 --> 00:22:42,119 Speaker 1: down basis. You could have a steel there in the 427 00:22:42,160 --> 00:22:44,840 Speaker 1: sixth round area. Well, Tony, we could keep you all day, 428 00:22:44,880 --> 00:22:46,879 Speaker 1: but I know that you have plenty of other stuff 429 00:22:46,920 --> 00:22:49,240 Speaker 1: to get to and uh, but we do appreciate you 430 00:22:49,280 --> 00:22:51,479 Speaker 1: stopping by and hopefully we do get to see you 431 00:22:51,960 --> 00:22:55,240 Speaker 1: at the combine next year to to catch up in person. 432 00:22:55,320 --> 00:22:58,240 Speaker 1: But our guests has been Tony Pauline here on the drive. 433 00:22:58,640 --> 00:23:00,920 Speaker 1: I'm Dale Lolly, He's Matt Williamson. We also want to 434 00:23:00,920 --> 00:23:03,479 Speaker 1: thank Jacob Breck for keeping us on the air throughout 435 00:23:03,480 --> 00:23:05,479 Speaker 1: this segment, and we want to thank you for listening 436 00:23:05,480 --> 00:23:10,119 Speaker 1: to this edition of The Drive on Steelers Nation Radio.