Steelers go on the defensive
PITTSBURGH – The Steelers have typically split their picks in the NFL Draft pretty evenly between offensive and defensive players.
But this time around, the Steelers entered the three-day draft, which concluded Saturday, looking almost strictly to add defensive players of all shapes and sizes.
The results were the selection of six players on defense and two on offense over seven rounds, creating situations in the secondary and at outside linebacker that the team hopes improves competition for roster spots.
“It was always going to be a defensive-priority draft,” said Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert. “We were going to interject the offensive players at a point where we felt they were too good to pass up.”
The Steelers did that Saturday by selecting cornerback Doran Grant of Ohio State, tight end Jesse James of Penn State, defensive lineman Leterrius Walton of Central Michigan, outside linebacker Anthony Chickillo of Miami (Fla.) and free safety Gerod Holliman of Louisville with their five picks in rounds four through seven.
Added to the players they took in the first two days in outside linebacker Bud Dupree of Kentucky, cornerback Senquez Golson of Mississippi and wide receiver Sammie Coates of Auburn, the Steelers feel like they added playmakers, particularly in the secondary.
Golson, a second-round pick, and Holliman, a seventh-round selection, were each first-team All-America players in 2014. Grant was first-team All-Big Ten and a team captain at Ohio State, where he led the Buckeyes to a national championship.
At 5-9 and 5-10, Golson and Grant don’t have the prototypical size for NFL cornerbacks but they were productive. So was Holliman, who likely fell because he ran poorly at the NFL Draft Combine.
More important, at least for a team that hasn’t had more than 11 interceptions in a season since 2010, was that those three combined for 29 interceptions last year. Holliman led the way with an NCAA record-tying 14 and Golson adding 10.
“We had a desire to increase the competition and playmaking ability in our secondary, and we really feel good about those three guys,” Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said. “We didn’t talk a lot about potential and height, weight and speed, but more about tape and productivity. And when you look at these guys, that’s what they give. They had 29 picks, two first-team All-Americans. Grant was an All-Big Ten guy and a captain of the national champions. We really felt good about the tangibles that these guys were good picks.”
Grant had 63 tackles and five interceptions in 2014, including two in the Big Ten Championship against Wisconsin.
“A corner that has matched up with some top-notch programs has seen a lot of receivers that have probably gone in the first, second or third round,” said Steelers defensive backs coach Carnell Lake. “Ohio State has seen them. They have played them in the biggest game there is in college football and that would be in the National Championship game. To have that kind of experience and step right into the NFL, that gives him a slight advantage.”
At 6-7 and 261 pounds, James, a South Allegheny High School product and native of Glassport, gives the Steelers a big-bodied tight end to work in behind starter Heath Miller and backup Matt Spaeth, both of whom are over 30 years old.
James wasn’t a prolific pass catcher for the Nittany Lions, but did set a school record for tight ends with 11 career touchdown receptions.
“I couldn’t be happier,” said James of playing for his hometown team. “I think it’s a great fit. I couldn’t be more excited to get to work.”
Walton (6-5, 319) and Chickillo (6-3, 267) are seen as developmental picks, while the Steelers viewed Holliman as a productive college player too good to pass up in the seventh round.
“It was about adding competition, whatever size they were,” said Colbert.
Odds and end zones
Colbert said the Steelers would like to add 10 to 12 undrafted rookies to their roster. Included in that group are center B.J. Finney of Kansas State, wide receiver Eli Rogers of Louisville, running back Ross Scheuerman of Lafayette and quarterback Tyler Murphy of Boston College. … The team’s rookie mini-camp will be held Friday and Saturday.