Pittsburgh interested in moving up

ct · 04-27-2006, 08:12 AM

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/spor.../s_447963.html

Steelers contemplate moving up in draft

By Mike Prisuta
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Thursday, April 27, 2006

The Steelers were bold enough in 2003 to trade up a few spots in the first round of the NFL draft and landed, not only the player they coveted, but a future All-Pro in strong safety Troy Polamalu.

Still, the Kansas City Chiefs, the team that moved down from No. 16 overall to No. 27 in accommodating the Steelers, probably isn't complaining.

"It worked out pretty well for them, too, getting (running back) Larry Johnson," Steelers director of football operations Kevin Colbert said.

Moving up 11 spots back in 2003 cost the Steelers' a third-round pick and a sixth-round selection, a price which remains the going rate for such transactions, Colbert said.

"It's usually going to take multiple picks in the first round, and sometimes, it's going to involve your third (-round pick)," Colbert said. "Teams have even traded their second (-round selection), depending on how high you want to go.

"It varies. You just have to go through the history of the picks, but it's definitely multiple picks (that are required)."

The Steelers are contemplating such a move again, in part because they annually explore that option and because, this year, it just might make sense.

They have 10 draft picks available heading into this weekend's draft, including a compensatory selection in both the fourth and fifth rounds. Compensatory picks can't be traded, but the Steelers' other seven draft choices can be dealt.

The Steelers have already begun to gauge potential interest, although Colbert doesn't expect those conversations to heat up until Saturday.

"Just to go back to Troy, those conversations started about mid-week -- 'yes, we are interested in moving; we will contact you,' or 'we will contact you if our player is there,' " Colbert said. "You don't really exchange any proposals at that point.

"It's very rare that anybody makes pre-draft trades. Sometimes, it happens, but if you don't know what you're trading for, it's a little more risky."

It's also potentially going to be a little more expensive, given that the Steelers are picking 32nd in each round.

"Obviously, those are the lowest picks in each round, so really, our first pick is like a second-round pick, and so on and so forth," Colbert said. "Each one of those is valued less, so it may take (more than two picks to move up in round one). If we say we are interested in giving a third and a fifth, they may demand a third and a fourth because we are so low.

"You'll make an offer, they'll make an offer and you just try to meet somewhere in between. Usually, it's not that complicated."

Draft deals
Here's a list the Steelers' NFL draft day trades made during the Kevin Colbert era:
2004
The Steelers trade the No. 44 overall pick (second round) and the No. 107 overall pick (fourth round) to the Indianapolis Colts for the No. 38 overall pick (second round) and select cornerback Ricardo Colclough.
2003
The Steelers trade the No. 27 overall pick (first round), the No. 92 overall pick (third round) and the No. 200 overall pick (sixth round) to the Kansas City Chiefs for the No. 16 overall pick (first round) and select strong safety Troy Polamalu.
2001
The Steelers trade the No. 16 overall pick (first round) to the New York Jets for the No. 19 overall pick (first round), the No. 111 overall pick (fourth round) and the No. 181 overall pick (sixth round) and select nose tackle Casey Hampton, offensive tackle Mathias Nkwenti and defensive end Rodney Bailey. The Steelers also trade the No. 50 overall pick (second round) and No. 112 overall pick (fourth round) to the New England Patriots for the No. 39 overall pick (second round) and select linebacker Kendrell Bell.

*****

Take a look at some of those trades they have made the last few years, and what you find is the team trading down does not get equal value from the value charts.

Say if KC moved down to 32 with Pittsburgh, we should expect thier 2nd round pick following the chart. Yet with the history there, maybe a 3rd+4th might be all we get.

04-27-2006, 08:12 AM	Topic Starter
ct u b illian Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: DooDah Casino cash: $10009436	Pittsburgh interested in moving up http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/spor.../s_447963.html Steelers contemplate moving up in draft By Mike Prisuta TRIBUNE-REVIEW Thursday, April 27, 2006 The Steelers were bold enough in 2003 to trade up a few spots in the first round of the NFL draft and landed, not only the player they coveted, but a future All-Pro in strong safety Troy Polamalu. Still, the Kansas City Chiefs, the team that moved down from No. 16 overall to No. 27 in accommodating the Steelers, probably isn't complaining. "It worked out pretty well for them, too, getting (running back) Larry Johnson," Steelers director of football operations Kevin Colbert said. Moving up 11 spots back in 2003 cost the Steelers' a third-round pick and a sixth-round selection, a price which remains the going rate for such transactions, Colbert said. "It's usually going to take multiple picks in the first round, and sometimes, it's going to involve your third (-round pick)," Colbert said. "Teams have even traded their second (-round selection), depending on how high you want to go. "It varies. You just have to go through the history of the picks, but it's definitely multiple picks (that are required)." The Steelers are contemplating such a move again, in part because they annually explore that option and because, this year, it just might make sense. They have 10 draft picks available heading into this weekend's draft, including a compensatory selection in both the fourth and fifth rounds. Compensatory picks can't be traded, but the Steelers' other seven draft choices can be dealt. The Steelers have already begun to gauge potential interest, although Colbert doesn't expect those conversations to heat up until Saturday. "Just to go back to Troy, those conversations started about mid-week -- 'yes, we are interested in moving; we will contact you,' or 'we will contact you if our player is there,' " Colbert said. "You don't really exchange any proposals at that point. "It's very rare that anybody makes pre-draft trades. Sometimes, it happens, but if you don't know what you're trading for, it's a little more risky." It's also potentially going to be a little more expensive, given that the Steelers are picking 32nd in each round. "Obviously, those are the lowest picks in each round, so really, our first pick is like a second-round pick, and so on and so forth," Colbert said. "Each one of those is valued less, so it may take (more than two picks to move up in round one). If we say we are interested in giving a third and a fifth, they may demand a third and a fourth because we are so low. "You'll make an offer, they'll make an offer and you just try to meet somewhere in between. Usually, it's not that complicated." Draft deals Here's a list the Steelers' NFL draft day trades made during the Kevin Colbert era: 2004 The Steelers trade the No. 44 overall pick (second round) and the No. 107 overall pick (fourth round) to the Indianapolis Colts for the No. 38 overall pick (second round) and select cornerback Ricardo Colclough. 2003 The Steelers trade the No. 27 overall pick (first round), the No. 92 overall pick (third round) and the No. 200 overall pick (sixth round) to the Kansas City Chiefs for the No. 16 overall pick (first round) and select strong safety Troy Polamalu. 2001 The Steelers trade the No. 16 overall pick (first round) to the New York Jets for the No. 19 overall pick (first round), the No. 111 overall pick (fourth round) and the No. 181 overall pick (sixth round) and select nose tackle Casey Hampton, offensive tackle Mathias Nkwenti and defensive end Rodney Bailey. The Steelers also trade the No. 50 overall pick (second round) and No. 112 overall pick (fourth round) to the New England Patriots for the No. 39 overall pick (second round) and select linebacker Kendrell Bell. ***** Take a look at some of those trades they have made the last few years, and what you find is the team trading down does not get equal value from the value charts. Say if KC moved down to 32 with Pittsburgh, we should expect thier 2nd round pick following the chart. Yet with the history there, maybe a 3rd+4th might be all we get.
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