Steelers Draft: Day three recap
The 2016 NFL Draft is complete, and the Steelers have seven new players in the fold, including the final four they selected on the third and final day on Saturday.
Steelers Day Three picks
Fourth round: Jerald Hawkins, offensive tackle, LSU
After going defense in the first three rounds, the Steelers went about addressing their offensive tackle depth with the selection of Hawkins, a junior, who, according to general manager Kevin Colbert in his post-draft press-conference on Saturday, was advised to stay in school for his senior year but elected to turn pro. In other words, Hawkins is probably a bit of a project, but what better tutor to have than Steelers offensive line coach Mike Munchak? If Munchak can refine Hawkins’ foot-work and technique, the sky could be the limit. After all, Kelvin Beachum, a seventh round pick in 2012, worked his way up to a starter at left tackle before leaving as a free-agent this offseason. And in his absence, Alejandro Villanueva, an undrafted free-agent out of Army in 2010 who took over for Beachum when he suffered a torn ACL last season, is currently entrusted with protecting Ben Roethlisberger’s blind side heading into 2016.
Sixth round: Travis Feeney, outside linebacker, Washington
Listed at 6’4” and 230 pounds and clocked at 4.5 in the 40 at the Combine, this converted safety continues a trend of increased speed and athleticism the Steelers coaching staff appears to be coveting in recent drafts. A special teams ace in college, that unit might be Feeney’s ticket to a place on the roster. If he can continue to improve and grow as an outside linebacker at the pro-level, who knows? After all, the legendary James Harrison was undrafted and bounced around the NFL for a few years before finally making it.
AROUND COVER32
NFL Draft 2016: Recapping all seven rounds
NFL Draft 2016: Grading each first round pick
Seventh round (229, overall): Demarcus Ayers, wide-receiver, Houston
The Steelers waited until the seventh round to draft their one and only skill-position player of this class. And at 5’9” and 182 pounds, Ayers fits the mold of a Dri Archer, but without as much speed. Ayers started out as a running back in college, but ultimately excelled as a slot receiver, catching 141 passes for 1,686 yards and nine touchdowns in three years at Houston. Ayers also excelled as a return man, as he compiled 1,613 yards on kickoff returns and another 317 returning punts. There may not be much room on offense for Ayers, but if he can excel as a return man, he’ll be very valuable in Pittsburgh, where Pro Bowl receiver Antonio Brown is currently the team’s best punt returner.
Seventh round (246, overall): Tyler Matakevich, inside linebacker, Temple
The Steelers concluded their 2016 draft by taking the highly-productive inside linebacker from Temple. In four years, Matakevich recorded 493 tackles and seven interceptions. With both Sean Spence and Terence Garvin leaving as free-agents, there is certainly room for an important backup role at the inside linebacker spot on the Steelers. And with Matakevich’s motor and production, he certainly has the makings of a special teams demon.
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