2014 NFL Draft: Pittsburgh Steelers select DT Daniel McCullers in 6th round
By Matt Shetler
Oct 19, 2013; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive lineman Daniel McCullers (98) reacts after defeating the South Carolina Gamecocks on a last second field goal at Neyland Stadium. Tennessee won 23 to 21. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
If any round in the Kevin Colbert-Mike Tomlin era, the sixth round has been one that the Pittsburgh Steelers have found some useful players in the past.
Would they strike out again in the sixth round of the 2014 NFL Draft?
After taking UCLA outside linebacker Jordan Zumwalt with the first of two of their two sixth round selections on the day, the Steelers came back and took defensive tackle Daniel McCullers out of Tennessee with the last pick of the sixth round, No. 215 overall.
McCullers is huge at 6’7”, 352 pounds and an enormous wingspan. Naturally he can occupy a lot of space and hold up multiple blockers.
He’s a two-gap guy that just plugs up short areas effectively. McCullers is also very durable, never missing a career game in college.
The Steelers need depth on the defensive line badly so he’s worth a look here.
However he has a lot of holes to work on, most notably using his hands and getting off blocks as he stays engaged for ages.
McCullers also lacks the power that his size would suggest.
To this point, give his raw makeup, McCullers has been an underachiever, but he has the raw tools that could become special if he could harness all of that talent out and improve his mechanics.
Here’s a look at the newest Steeler.
The Steelers have had some success drafting in the sixth round since Tomlin arrived in 2007, selecting Ryan Mundy (2008), Jonathan Dwyer (2010), Antonio Brown (2010) and Vince Williams (2013).
They have also missed badly on guys such as: Mike Humpel (2008), Ra’Shon Harris (2009) and Keith Williams (2011).
The jury is still out on one of last year’s sixth round picks in Justin Brown.
Will McCullers add to Tomlin’s and Colbert’s sixth-round successes or will he add to what is a long list of recent failed Steelers’ draft picks?
Only time will tell.
The Steelers will be back on the clock again with their final pick of the draft at No. 230 overall in the seventh round.