We're back for the 15th pick of the 2014 Niners Nation Community Mock Draft. You can see previous picks below in the draft table. You can also follow the mock draft board through this story stream.
With the 15th pick of the 2014 NFL Draft, SeigepPT49er and the Pittsburgh Steelers select C.J. Mosley, ILB, Alabama. Some of the alternates he considered included cornerback Darqueze Dennard and wide receiver Odell Beckham, Jr. Here are his thoughts on the pick:
Team needs: S, CB, Possession WR, LB, TE, D-Line, O-Line (they are getting old EVERYWHERE). They did shore up and bring in veteran talent at a fairly low cost, low year commitment for LB, S, RB, O-line.
The Steelers are a franchise that takes great pride in maintaining the "Steeler Way." They have one of the most, if not the most, stable ownership and FO in the NFL. They maximize value whenever possible. They will let talented players go if they don't fit the team model (think of their free agent WR who went to the Jets, Giants, and Dolphins over recent years). They take pride in the tough defensive identity that mirrors the city they are in.
Taking all that into account, I truly believe that the Steelers will listen to any and all offers to move down from 15 to the bottom half of the 1st round. While they have 9 total picks, they only have 3 in the top 100 (#15, 46, and 97-comp). With Ebron, Ha-Ha, and Gilbert already selected, I don't think that the Steelers have a player that they rank as a MUST have at #15. They would love to drop down, get an extra 3rd rounder, and still get one of the next "group" they have targeted. They recognize the value of this draft is rounds 2-3 and they want to work that as much as they can.
Behind the Steel Curtain has an excellent breakdown of the Steeler's Big Board and ranking based on value to the Steelers and divided into tiers based on highest value. They grouped players worthy of top 10 pick, top 15, top 20 etc. and list the 3-4 players they see as worth the pick. If a player is ranked 15th, then to select earlier would be considered a reach and not good value. The group ranked for 15th includes: jake Matthews, OT; Greg Robinson, OT; Eric Ebron, TE; Odell Beckham Jr., WR; Darqueze Dennard, CB; and CJ Mosely, LB. If Ebron or Gilbert where to last to #15, they would not make it past the Steelers.
Here is some of what BTSC says about Mosely: He "grades out as one of the 10 best players in this class." "He can make an impact as a rookie." "A coaches dream at linebacker... terrific diagnostic skills... athleticism and quick hands make him equally dangerous in pass coverage and run support." He is compared to Luke (I have Bowman's DPOY award) Kuechly. He also compares similarly to the pre-draft assessments of our own Bowman. Either way, the Steelers get their "signature" linebacker for the next decade.
Trevor Woods: A year after the Steelers drafted OLB Jarvis Jones in the first round, in 2014 the Steel Curtain is providing him some help at ILB. I like the pick of Mosley, he was a run stopping force at Alabama with above-average coverage ability. A hard-nosed player with grit, Mosley fits the classic Steeler mold of toughness. Another option here is Odell Beckham Jr. The Steelers losing Emmanuel Sanders to the Broncos could impact their decision here and they may decide to draft a receiver.
Nick Chiamardas: I'm not really sure how I feel about this pick. I like Mosely as a player but I think the Steelers may have more pressing needs to address with this pick. After all, sixth rounder Vince Williams wasn't awful last year and they did sign Arthur Moats this offseason to compete for the starting job next to Lawrence Timmons. While Mosely would probably be a long term answer, the Steelers could address a more immediate need a corner with Darqueze Dennard still on the board.
Round 1
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wiseguy545 |
Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina [Full Story] |
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2. |
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El Shorts | Greg Robinson, OT, Auburn [Full Story] |
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9er4life22 | Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville [Full Story] |
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Boss Clifford | Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson [Full Story] |
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Mark Balliet | Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&M [Full Story] |
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CheekeeMunkee | Khalil Mack, OLB, Buffalo [Full Story] |
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TopFlightSecurity | Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M [Full Story] |
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Hoopers Judge | Blake Bortles, QB, Central Florida [Full Story] |
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jmart7 | Eric Ebron, TE, North Carolina [Full Story] |
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germinator | Anthony Barr, OLB, UCLA [Full Story] |
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49feelinfine | Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma State [Full Story] |
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superk0725 | Taylor Lewan, OL, Michigan [Full Story] |
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El Shorts | Ha'Sean Clinton-Dix, S, Alabama [Full Story] |
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BryKno | Aaron Donald, DT, Pittsburgh [Full Story] |
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SigepPT49er | C.J. Mosley, ILB, Alabama [Full Story] |
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Mira Loma Maulers | |
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JMichael39 | |
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Desert Dog Runner | |
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albert.55 | |
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MidnightSpecial | |
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Rowingdave | |
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MisterEclectic | |
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Rowingdave | |
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BearAKA | |
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CraigRED&GOLD | |
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Boss Clifford | |
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Roy_from_Israel | |
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dave.bocchino | |
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49ersCusefan | |
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Tre9er | |
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ak4niner | |
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timmyg24 |
