Jonathan Dwyer

I know I'm skipping a couple of rounds here, but I think Jonathan Dwyer may have been the steal of the draft for the Steelers, so I'm going to talk about him next. Hope you don't mind, but I really can't see anyone other then Pouncey making as big an impact as a rookie as this guy can, so let's see what makes him tick.

Dwyer left Georgia Tech a year early to enter the NFL Draft after running for 1395 yards in each of the past two seasons. He was actually projected to be a first or second round draft choice which is why he decided to leave school early. But obviously something had to happen to make him plunge to the sixth round, didn't it?

My understanding is that he fell for two reasons; he failed a drug test at the combine and he worked from an option type offense in college (ie. not the pro style offense a Pitt or Alabama run). As for the drug test, he let teams know he was on something (Adderal?) for ADD and that he would more then likely fail the drug test. I don't really see where this would cause him to drop, but apparently some teams were confused or didn't understand why he failed, which could explain some of it.

The other reason, and probably the biggest reason in my eyes, that he dropped is because he played in a triple option offense, which meant he didn't line up in your typical half back position. This could certainly be cause for concern, but my major problem with this rationale is that it seems to be randomly applied to certain people and not to others.

Case in point, look at this year's number one overall draft pick, QB Sam Bradford. He not only missed 90% of last season due to injury, but he played in a spread offense, where he rarely if ever had to take a snap from under center. Last time I checked, the NFL hasn't turned into a shotgun only league. That is certainly as big, if not a bigger question mark then Dwyer's history in an option offense. I'm sure things change for a running back, but I would imagine the switch from spread QB to pro QB would be a much bigger leap.

So what is it about Dwyer that intrigued the Steelers enough to draft him? They certainly couldn't look past his productivity, averaging over 6 yards a carry last season, but it is his running style that definitely added value to this pick. He is a classic Steeler running back in the mold of Jerome Bettis; he's big (between 225lbs. and 235 lbs. depending on where you look), he's a bruiser, and was described by running backs coach Kirby Wilson as "a workhorse-type of running back". Not to mention his speed, while not elite, is certainly good enough to break off a home run or two if he can get into the secondary. If that doesn't instantly make you like him I don't know what will.

Anyway, please don't get the impression I'm calling this kid the next Bettis. There's no way he's the starter this season unless Rashard Mendenhall gets injured, and he will primarily be used as a backup and short yardage specialist, which is something we desperately needed. He's a big body who can hopefully make those third down and one situations a little bit easier, and he should be a fixture for a couple years at least if the expectations match the talent.

Selection Grade - A

Until later today...