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1) DT Ziggy Hoodl
3a) OL Craig Urbik
3b) WR Mike Wallace
3c) DB Keenan Lewis
5a) DB Joe Burnett
5b) RB Frank Summers
6) DL Ra'Shon Harris
7a) C A.Q. Shipley
7b) TE David Johnson
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The 2009 Draft re-stocked the defensive and offensive lines with new blood and boosted the Special Teams.
While many fans are disappointed the team did not get a highly regarded Center in the first round, the Steelers did get local favorite A.Q. Shipley who could surprise people a few years down the road. Plus, the team got a very competent lineman in Craig Urbik in the third round who will probably take over for Darnell Stapleton at Right Guard in 1-2 years.
On defense, the team got Ziggy Hood, who should one-day replace Aaron Smith in the line, and Sonny Harris who has the potential to stick as a reserve.
Perhaps the biggest immediate impact to the team from this Draft will come in Special Teams where the Steelers drafted Cornerback Joe Burnett to return punts and Wideout Mike Wallace to return kickoffs.
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Defensive Tackle, Missouri, 6'3", 305#
Mid-Season Notes: Hood has seen playing time since Aaron Smith was put on IR. He seems disciplined, yet not dominating, against the run. In his pass rush, he is relentless although he has yet to record a sack. The way defensive linemen are getting hurt, Ziggy should see more playing time. Trend: Steady
Pre-Season Notes : Ziggy has played well - getting pressure and a couple of sacks. He is studying hard behind Aaron Smith. Joe Greene said, "It looks like we picked a good one." Trend: Up
Draft Day Impressions: He has the personality of a Teddy Bear and the motor of a V-8. A great leader in college, he should fit in very well with the Steelers as a hard working, good-guy.
The test will be him sliding from Defensive Tackle to End in the Steelers' 3-4 defensive scheme. Eventually, he should replace Aaron Smith.
Draft Grade: B-, Predicted Grade after 3 years: B+ |
Other players the Steelers could have drafted instead in round #1: LB Ray Maualuga (Bengals), C Max Unger, (Seahawks), OT, Phil Loadholt, (Vikings), DE Fili Moala, (Colts) |
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Guard, Wisconsin, 6'5", 325
Mid-Season Notes: The kid has yet to dress for a game. Trend: Steady
Pre-Season Notes : Urbik has had trouble adjusting to the speed of the Pro game but this isn't unusual for an O-lineman. Trend: Steady
Draft Day Impressions: Urbik will probably go about his business during his first 2 years and then, without anyone noticing, he will be starting for the Steelers and do VERY well.
He can play Right Guard or Tackle which opens up the possibility of Willie Colon moving to Right Guard one day and Urbik playing Right Tackle.
Draft Grade: C+, Predicted Grade after 3 years: B- |
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Wide Receiver, Ole' Miss, 6'0", 195#
Mid-Season Notes: Wallace is everything that Limas Sweed should be, and much more. What a dangerous weapon he is, already. With many big catches, 2 TDs and several runs from scrimmage, he is the best Rookie WR for the Steelers since Louis Lipps. The Steelers are ranking 5th in Offense and he is a big reason why. Trend: Way Up
Pre-Season Notes : Wallace looks like a big-time "keeper". He is blazing fast and has good hands. He will definitely return kickoffs and will see a lot of time as the 4th WR. Trend: Up
Draft Day Impressions: This guy can fly and the Steelers hope that one day he can become a deep vertical threat and replace Nate Washington, who signed with Tennessee as a free agent.
He is also adept at returning kickoffs. Wallace holds the Ole Miss records for single game, season and career kickoff return yards. He should be doing this for the Steelers by opening day, barring injury.
Draft Grade: B+, Predicted Grade after 3 years: B+ |
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Oregon St., 6'1", 208#
Mid-Season Notes: He may have dressed for a couple of games and played Special Teams, but I don't remember seeing him. The Steelers need help in the Secondary as William Gay is a very weak link.
Pre-Season Notes: Looks good and solid. Nice cover skills for a tall guy. Made the team, but is looking more and more like last year's 3rd round pick, Bruce Davis, who was cut. Trend: Steady
Draft Day Impressions: Keenan was the high school teammate of Mike Wallace (not the 60 Minutes reporter).
A big buy who also runs very well, the Steelers think he is like Ike Taylor but with better hands.
The team has been stymied the last two drafts in their efforts to draft a big, speedy corner in the first round and so had to settle for "second-tier" talent which is enough to win with. Still, I know in my gut that Tomlin would love to get a big, physical Mel Blount-style corner down the road.
Draft Grade: B+, Predicted Grade after 3 years: B |
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Cornerback/Punt Returner, Central Florida, 5'9", 190#
Mid-Season Notes: Joe has played almost every game on Special Teams coverage units and is doing well. He has also played a little bit in the Dime. Trend: Steady
Pre-Season Notes: The kid has skills as a defender and he is a natural returner. He had one interception and a blocked field goal to preverse the shut out against the Bills. However, he also fumbled twice on punt returns. Stefan Logan has beat him as the team's punt returner, but Burnett made the team this year instead of veteran Anthony Madison. Trend: Steady
Draft Day Impressions: After getting a kickoff returner in Wallace, the Steelers then turned their attention on getting a punt returner.
Burrnett may have played a lot of corner at college, but his immediate future in the NFL is surely as a punt returner where he has a good shot of making the team.
However, players drafted as punt returners usually don't pan out for the Steelers. See Willie Reid.
Grade: C, Predicted Grade after 3 years: C- |
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Running Back, UNLV, 5'10", 230#
Mid-Season Notes: Frank was placed on IR with a bank injury after playing in a couple of games as a Fullback, even starting one. Trend: Up
Pre-Season Notes: The "Tank" is getting outplayed by free agent Issac "Redzone" Redman for the short-yardage duty, but the kid has potential. Maybe not as a running back, but certainly as a blocking fullback.Trend: Steady
Made the team over Carey Davis because of his blocking skills and ability to play special teams. Trend: Steady
Draft Day Impressions: This pick is the best of the group.
The Steelers had one of the worst short yardage units in the NFL in 2008. Although Mr. Summers won't be opening any holes by blocking, he can certainly open some holes by brute force, of which he seems to have plenty.
Summers can also step in right away and play special teams in punt and kickoff coverage units.
Finally, Summers catches the ball well. FB Carey Davis should be worried.
Grade: A-, Predicted Grade after 3 years: B |
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Defensive Tackle, Oregon 6'4", 285#
Mid-Season Notes: Sonny was claimed by the Carolina Panthers before the Steelers could put him on the Practice Squad. Now that Aaron Smith got hurt, Sonny is on the regular team. He has yet to suit up, but he may soon. Trend: Steady
Pre-Season Notes: The real surprise for me in this draft class. This kid can play in the 3-4. Give him a year or two and he could be suiting up regularly on Sunday. Trend: Up
Unfortuntely, there wasn't room on the roster for Sonny. He was cut and quickly snapped up by the Carolina Panthers. Trend: Steady
Draft Day Impressions: Harris anchored the Oregon D-line as a defensive tackle.
He will try to make the team then sit on the practice squad for a year or two while he learns to play defensive end in the 3-4 and one day contribute on the field.
However, the odds are not with "Sonny" Harris. Many others before him have failed in this path. See Orion Harris, Shaun Nua and Eric Taylor.
A native of Pittsburg, California.
Grade: C, Predicted Grade after 3 years: C- |
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, Center, Penn St., 6'1" 300#
Mid-Season Notes: The kid has yet to dress for a game. He's learning on the Practice Squad for now. Trend: Steady
Pre-Season Notes: Has gotten a lot of playing time with the second team due to injuries to Justion Hartwig and Darnell Stapleton. Was cut and added to the Practice Squad. Trend: Steady
Draft Day Impressions:
A native of Pittsburgh (Corraoplolis) who idolized Hall of Fame Center Mike Webster, even though Webster had long stopped playing for the Steelers by the time A.Q. was a kid.
Won the Rimington Trophy for the top Center in College ball, Shipley dominated the famed USC D-line in the 2009 Rose Bowl. His draft stock fell because of his lack of height (he's not even 6'1") and short arms. 2-3 inches taller and this kid is picked in the first day of the draft.
Grade: B-, Predicted Grade after 3 years: B+ |
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, Tight End, Arkansas St., 6'2" 260#
Mid-Season Update: Johnson is doing well as an H-Back. He can block very well and has good hands. Looks to be an upgrade over Carey Davis. Trend: Up
Pre-Season Notes: Another nice surprise: this tight end can block! With the knee injury to Sean McHugh, Johnson is the 3rd TE/FB this year. Trend: Up
Draft Day Impressions: The Steelers seem to Draft a tight end whenever they don't know what else to do. See Matt Spath and Charles Davis. I can't imagine this pick sticking around past training camp, barring injuries, but that's why they play the game...
Grade: D-, Predicted Grade after 3 years: F |
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