Sources: Steelers regard OT Bobby Massie as a 1st rd prospect
The Pittsburgh Steelers are not expected to consider Ohio State tackle Mike Adams with their first round selection in the 2012 NFL draft. The 6-foot-7, 323-pound Adams visited the Steelers last month and Pittsburgh has done a lot of homework on the talented tackle but the belief is Pittsburgh has ruled him off their draft board in the first round due to character concerns.
It was revealed that today that Adams tested positive for marijuana at the NFL combine but the Steelers according to a team source early this afternoon, were aware of the incident before the reports came out today.
Adams has extremely high upside but the off-field issues is what makes him too much of a risk for the Steelers. In addition to his latest incident, he was suspended for two games in 2009 for violating team rules, and was cited in January of 2009 for misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia after being stopped by police for running a stop sign. Charges were eventually dropped as the cop ruled Adams was smoking a pipe with tobacco, according to the Columbus-Dispatch. In 2011, Adams was one of five players suspended for first five games of 2011 season for receiving benefits from a tattoo parlor owner.
One tackle though emerging very much on the Steelers radar is Mississippi OT Bobby Massie. The 6-foot-6, 320-pound tackle had been regarded by some as a 2nd or 3rd round pick but sources indicate the Steelers have Massie rated as a first round prospect who the team is expected to consider with the 24th overall pick.
Massie has great upper body strength and is extremely athletic, which has some scouts including the Steelers believing he could move inside to guard, like the Steelers felt with Marcus Gilbert when the team drafted him last year in the second round.
Massie is quick, light on his feet for such a big player and due to his strength and athletic ability, has a good combination of quickness and strength. Massie has long arms and plays with a nasty edge which interests the Steelers and the team loves his athleticism. Massie is quick off the snap in run blocking situations and finishes his blocks. He’s a sleeper name to emerge with one week till the draft.
