FanPost

PATTERNS

While doing research to make the mock pick for the Pittsburgh Steelers this week, I noticed something about GM Kevin Colbert’s top picks in the last ten drafts: C, DE, RB, ILB, WR, TE, QB, SS, OG, NT; they all play different positions.

I have heard of Best-Player-Available drafting strategy, and Filling-Holes strategy, but I have never heard of Rotational-Picking strategy. It makes a lot of sense though; spread the talent around the roster. Also, in this 10 year period Colbert has switched between offense and defense with the first pick every time save one. In contrast, the Bills during the same period have repeated top picks at the same position four times (WR, CB and RB twice).

Following Colbert’s pattern, I am guessing that the Steelers will pick a defensive player this year from one of the positions not on the above list: that leaves OLB, CB or FS. The question that will begin to be answered for Bills fans next weekend is, “What will Buddy Nix’s pattern look like?” His first draft gave us hints, now a discernible pattern will take shape.

Listening to Buddy speak is like trying to find the end of a circle...‘we need defensive depth; we need defensive playmakers; Ryan’s our starter; we might pick up another quarterback; you don’t just pick a guy to fill a hole; we’ll fill as many holes as we can’...??? This guy is the Sphinx, and yet I can’t help but feel comforted by him. He’s a grandfatherly figure assuring us that it can still be OK. For now he has my trust.

By the way, my pick for the Steelers was going to be Free Safety from Okalahoma, Quinton Carter. A stretch, but I liked the description of him as a bone-jarring tackler. I also like that he’s a graduating senior who has already set up a youth outreach program called SOUL: the first two words of which stand for ‘Serving Others.’ Sounds like a Mike Tomlin kind of guy.



Just another great fan opinion shared on the pages of BuffaloRumblings.com.