In John Steinbach’s perfect world, the Bears will finagle a way to select his son, hometown product Erich of Iowa, in the first round of this weekend’s NFL draft.
That’s unlikely to happen.
Though you won’t hear the Steinbachs complaining Saturday.
You may hear them whooping and hollering out in their Lockport home.
“Oh, yeah, all Erich’s friends in the neighborhood, all our family, everybody out here, it’s a big deal and we’re excited,” John Steinbach said. “Naturally the hometown team (the Bears) would be our first choice, but if not, then somewhere close would be nice so people here could drive to see him on Sundays.”
Most draft projections peg Steinbach, a 6-foot-6-inch, 297-pound guard who was the Big Ten’s lineman of the year, to go in the second half of the first round. The Bears pick fourth, and unless they trade down would not be in a position to pick Steinbach.
Whoever does take him figures to make the Providence High School graduate a rich man. Last year’s No. 20 pick, wide receiver Javon Walker of Green Bay received a $3 million signing bonus and a salary of $585,000.
“He comes from a blue-collar background and was raised the right way,” said John Steinbach, a former truck driver now in sales. “He’s not real flashy. He’ll get a nice car, a nice home, but he’s still going to be Erich.”
Among other local products, Colorado’s Chris Brown of Naperville North figures to be one of the first five running backs selected, as early as the third round.
Northwestern guard Jeff Roehl of Sandburg High has been projected as a fifth- to sixth-rounder.
Roehl is planning to stay away from the TV this weekend and barbecue in the backyard of his parents’ home in Orland Park, cell phone at his side.
“It would be great to be drafted, but I feel like I have the talent and ability to succeed whether I get drafted or not,” Roehl said. “So I’m not going to worry about it too much.”
Several mock drafts have former Wildcats center Austin King going in the seventh round.
A host of Illinois players also will be sitting by the phone.
Wide receiver Brandon Lloyd and cornerback Eugene Wilson, one of the top cover men in the Big Ten last year, might go as early as the second round. Third-round possibilities for the Illini include 6-4 possession receiver Walter Young of Rich East and offensive tackle Tony Pashos of Lockport.
Guard David Diehl of Brother Rice is thought to be a late-round selection.
Wide receivers Greg Lewis of Rich South and Aaron Moorehead of Deerfield, son of former Bears tight end Emery, will try to hook on as free agents if they don’t get a call Sunday.
Same goes for Illini linebacker Jerry Schumacher from Mt. Carmel and running back Antoineo Harris from Bolingbrook.
Kicker Peter Christofilakos should get a chance to try out.
Besides potential first-round center Jeff Faine, seven former Notre Dame players plan to hear from NFL teams, all on the second day.
Some scouts consider Irish All-America cornerback Shane Walton a little small and a half-step slow. Flanker Arnaz Battle, a converted quarterback, possesses open-field running skills but is still new to the position. Guard Sean Mahan, respected for his toughness, earned applause from scouts at his workout when he bench-pressed 225 pounds 30 times.
All are considered fourth-round picks, though Mahan could jump into the third round.
Irish players slotted for the later rounds include safety Gerome Sapp and offensive tackles Brennan Curtin and Jordan Black.
Local outlook
The top draft prospects from area colleges and high schools:
Running backs
Chris Brown, Colorado,
Naperville North
Antoineo Harris, Illinois,
Bolingbrook
Quincy Washington, Illinois State
Tom Lopienski, Notre Dame
Tight ends
R.J. Luke, Western Illinois,
Waubonsie Valley
Wide receivers
Brandon Lloyd, Illinois
Walter Young, Illinois, Rich East
Greg Lewis, Illinois, Rich South
Arnaz Battle, Notre Dame
Aaron Moorehead, Illinois, Deerfield
Quarterback
Tony Romo, Eastern Illinois
Center
Jeff Faine, Notre Dame
Austin King, Northwestern
Guards
Eric Steinbach, Iowa,
Providence
Jeff Roehl, Northwestern,
Sandburg
David Diehl, Illinois,
Brother Rice
Offensive tackles
Tony Pashos, Illinois, Lockport
Jordan Black, Notre Dame
Jason Jowers, Wisconsin,
Libertyville
Defensive ends
Dan Rumishek, Michigan,
Addison Trail
Linebackers
Jerry Schumacher, Illinois,
Mt. Carmel
Cornerbacks
Eugene Wilson, Illinois
Shane Walton, Notre Dame
D.J. Johnson, Iowa,
Naperville Central
Safety
Gerome Sapp, Notre Dame
Placekicker
Peter Christofilakos, Illinois
