NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock held his final pre-draft conference call with the media on Friday and I once again located the audio so I could share it with you. Additionally, the transcript of the call has since been released and that is also included below.
As usual, Mayock was asked about quite a few different players during the media call in addition to what direction he sees some teams going in the upcoming 2017 NFL Draft. There wasn’t much talk about the Pittsburgh Steelers during the call sans one question and I have it below for you along with the answer Mayock gave.
Media question: With the 3-4 edge rushers available at 30 for Steelers, who do you see there for them? Do you think that’s the way they’ll go or another position?
Mayock answer: I think the 34 edge guy makes sense. Let’s face it, [James] Harrison is 39 at five and a half sacks, but how long can he continue? Bud Dupree developed. They gave up on Jarvis Jones. So it’s a big need. I still believe they’ve got to continue to develop their corner position, even though they drafted Artie Burns and signed Coty Sensabaugh. But I also think losing [Lawrence] Timmons is bigger than people think. But at No. 30, I think there will be enough edge rush talent there that they could have their choice. Understand between Derek Barnett, Takk McKinley and Charles Harris, at least one of them will slide down from the mid to late 20s or 30s. So you could have one of those three. And T.J. Watt could be on the board. I think Jordan Willis from Kansas State is an intriguing conversation at 30. Really tested well. Good football player. And the wildcard in there would be Tim Williams from Alabama, who might be the best pass-rusher in this entire class but has slipped because of character. And he’s really more of a pass-rush specialist as opposed to a third down, physical run setter. So I would expect they’d have a choice from enough guys, whether it’s a Takk McKinley or a T.J. Watt or Jordan Willis, that they’re going to get a good football player at that point.
The recording is 71 minutes long.
Mike Mayock 2017 NFL Draft Conference Call_Transcript by Steelers Depot on Scribd
