Who Will the Steelers
Draft?
Pre-Draft Analysis - 2010
Breaking news 4/12/10: Now that Santonio Holmes has been shipped off to the Jets, the Steelers need another WR.
To truly asses a team's needs in the Draft, one must be honest. That leads to the observation that the Steelers have gotten old in some key positions. While veteran leadership will keep a team on course, youth wins in the NFL and the Steelers need a infusion of fresh blood at several positions. The aging veterans have held their own recently, but that can't last forever. Youth eventually beats you.
Another honest assessment is that Big Ben needs to grow up. 27 year-old men with so much to lose should understand that the risk-reward ratio is not in your favor when socializing with college girls. However, I don't believe the team will draft a Quarterback, despite Big Ben's lack of discretion with women. They have too much invested in him to pull the plug so quickly, but it is a disturbing trend.
A similar disturbing trend is how the Steeler defense blew 4th quarter leads and gave up gobs of yardage via the air at the end of games. Of course, Polamalu was hurt at those times, but he should not make THAT much difference!
Coupled with a running game that again couldn't run the ball "when it mattered", the front office has made it clear that the running game needs to improve in order to salt away games in the 4th quarter so that the Defense isn't in those situations to begin with.
Steeler Draft Strategy
This honest assessment leads to the conclusion that the team will target a Cornerback or interior Offensive lineman in the first round.
The Steelers may look to trade down in the first round this year since Kevin Colbert has said that this draft class is one of the deepest and best, perhaps since 2004. Alternatively, the Steelers could trade up if their top rated Linebacker or Cornerback are available around pick #14 or #15.
With the addition of some key free agents (WR Randle-El, ILB Larry Foote and Safety Will Allen) the Steelers added needed depth on their team. Still, the team needs to start replacing aging veterans at several positions.
Cornerback The Steelers have had a "round" defense for a couple years now - it had no corners. Now I love Ike Taylor's speed and coverage skills, but the man can't catch the damn ball! William Gay is not a starting callibre NFL corner and needs to be replaced. The Top prespects:
Joe Hayden - 5-11, 193, Florida - Considered the best CB in the draft but he has average 40 speed (4.6) and size. Mid-first round
Kyle Wilson - 5-10, 190, Boise St.- Played in a weak conference and may not be best in man-off zone coverages. Visited the Steelers in March. 1st -2nd round
Devin McCourty - 5-11, 195, Rutgers - Aggressive and physical. Can also return kicks. 4.48-40 time. 2nd round
Brandon Ghee - 6-0, 195, Wake Forest - Best 40 time at the Combine (4.45) who could develop into a #1 corner. Visited the Steelers in March. 2nd round
Patrick Robinson - 5-11, 195, Florida St. - Looks the part but doesn't produce on the field. Off the field, he has problems with the law. 2nd round
Kareem Jackson - 5-10, 190, Alabama - 4.48-40 time. Visited the Steelers in March. 2nd-3rd round
Center/Guard
The Steelers Offensive line, as is, may be as good as they can be, which is not good enough to win and close out games. As it is, the running plays it can sucessfully execute are limited due to personnel. Right Guard and Center are positions that need upgrading. RG Trai Essex has done a yeoman's job while Center Justin Hartwig doesn't have the ability to pull or lead on screens. The Top prospects:
Mike Iupati - 6-5, 330, Idaho - Another huge Samoan who started playing football late (14 years old). The concensus #1 Guard has huge size and incredible stregth. Can run block and pass protect equally well. The concern is that he played against inferior competition and relied upon his natural athleticism instead of good technique. Also, the Idaho line used tight sets which doesn't translate well into the Pro game. We'll see. Mid-first round
Maurkice Pouncey - 6-4, 305, Florida - Played Center on a top team and made all the calls on the line. Played mostly in shotgun formation (The Steelers lined up in shotgun 40% of the time in 2009). When I saw him play, he looked just OK. Is considered the top Center to come along in "years" and better than Nick Mangold according to Mel Kiper, although I don't know why. Won the Rimington Trophy as the nation's top center. 1st round
Roger Saffold - 6-5, 315, Indiana - Played left Tackle in college so he has very good feet. Concern is whether he can run block with force. Visited Steelers in March. 2nd Round
Mike Johnson - 6-5, 312, Alabama - Starting Left guard on a very good college team. A team leader who could also play tackle. A 1st Team All-American in 2009. Never missed a game in college, a streak that included 41 consecutive starts. 2nd Round
Jon Asamoah - 6-4, 305, Illinois - A super athletic guard with great feet. Is he big enough to play Guard in the NFL? May project as a Center with his mobility. 2nd-3rd Round
Linebacker
The Steelers are set at all 4 starting LB positions and have good depth at ILB with Foote and Fox. But there is nobody behind All-Pro players Harrison and Woodley at OLB. Should one of them get hurt, Lawrence Timmons would have to move in. The team needs quality depth at OLB.
Rolando McClain - 6-3, 250, Alabama - Anchored the nation's best college defense as MLB. Unanimous 1st Team All-American and Butkus Award winner as the nation's top linebacker in 2009. Top 15 pick.
Jerry Hughes - 6-2, 255, TCU - He looks like the second coming of Terrel Suggs with a amzing first step and great pass rush ability. Played DE in college but has played some coverage and should be a great 3-4 OLB. Consensus 1st Team All-American in 2008 and 2009 when he had 26.5 sacks. Like Suggs, Hughes' "slow" 4.7-40 time may make him fall in the draft. 1st round.
Brandon Graham - 6-1, 265, Michigan - Looks a lot like LaMar Woodley, also from Michigan. May not be as fast or quick as Woodley however. 4.7-40. Had 20 sacks in 2008-09. 2nd Round
Koa Misi - 6-3, 251, Utah - Very good speed (4.6) and explosive tackler that didn't rack up a lot of tackles. Maybe a better athlete than football player. Visited Steelers 4/7/10. 2nd-3rd Round
Eric Norwood - 6-1, 245, S. Carolina - Productive player who can blitz: 29 sacks in career. South Carolina's all-time leader in both sacks and tackles for a loss. Visited Steelers in March. 3rd Round
Navorro Bowman - 6-0, 240, Penn St. - Great first step but has a big rap sheet. Visited with the Steelers in March. 3rd Round
Running Back
The only reliable, experienced backup to starter Rashard Mendenhall is Mewelde Moore and he doesn't strike fear into anybody. The team needs an explosive scat back to replace Willie Parker who left in free agency and to give Mendenhall a rest once in a while.
C.J. Spiller - 5-10, 195, Clemson - A "take it to the house" game changing back. Named the ACC Player of the Year and unanimous 1st Team All-American as a kick returner in 2009. Finished career as the ACC's career leader in all-purpose yards with 7,588, which is also second in NCAA Division I history. 4.37 40 time. 1st round
Jahvid Best- 5-10, 200 Cal - A state champion in track as a prep and participated in the Junior Olympics. 4.35-40 time. 1st round
Ryan Mathews - 6-0, 215, Fresno St. - Super productive: led nation in rushing in 2009 with 1,800 yards. 4.45 speed. May be an every down back but he ran out of a spread offense. 2nd round
LeGarrette Blount - 6-0, 240, Oregon St. - Famously "sucker" punched an opponent which got him suspended for 2009. Hard runner who can also catch the ball. 2nd-4th round
Joe McKnight- 5-11, 200 USC - Amazing athlete who never did much in college. 3rd - 6th Round.
Ben Tate - 5-11, 220 Auburn - 1 year starter who produced 1,200 yards. Adept at reading the blitz and catching the ball out of the backfield. 3rd - 6th round
Deji Karim - 5-10, 210, S. Illinois - rushed for almost 1,700 yards in 2009.
Wide Receiver
The Team needs to draft a game-changing, #1 WR now that Santonio Holmes is gone. Mike Wallace may be that guy, but it's too early to tell. Hines Ward is slowly wearing down, Antwan Randle-El is a #2 and Limas Sweed is a bust at this point.
Dez Bryant - 6-2, 225, Ok St. - Scored 19 TD's in 2008 as a dominant WR. Then, was suspended for most of 2009 after lying to the NCAA about his relationship to Deion Sanders. A true #1 receiver who has maturity and off-the-field questions. Visited Steelers April 7th. 1st round
Demaryius Thomas - 6-3, 225 GA Tech. - Could potentially be a true #1 wideout but played in a run-oriented offensive system. Averaged 25 yards per catch in 2009! Broke foot training for the Combine, but supposedly can run a 4.35-40 time. 1st round
Golden Tate - 5-10, 200, Notre Dame - Short, productive reciever who is built like 1999 1st rounder Troy Edwards. 4.45 speed. Would contribute immediately as a top return man. Won the Biletnikoff Award as the nation's top receiver in 2009. 2nd round
Arrelious Benn - 6-1, 219, Illinios - Has the size/speed combo the Steelers want in a #1 receiver. Looks like a more stout Sidney Rice as he can leap and make amazing catches with his great hands. Ankle injury cut short his 2009 season. Vistied Steelers 4/9/10. 2nd Round
Emmanuel Sanders - 5-11, 185, SMU - 1,300 yards receiving in 2009. 4.4-40. Vistied Steelers 4/9/10. 3rd-5th round
Steelers First Round Draft Selection Probability*:
Pre-Draft Odds |
Actual Draft Position |
| Mike Iupati, OG - 1:4 | #17 - San Francisco |
| Maurkice Pouncey, C - 1:6 | #18 - Steelers |
| Kyle Wilson, CB - 1:8 | #29 - Jets |
| Dez Bryant, WR - 1:10 | #24 - Dallas |
| Jerry Hughes, OLB - 1:12 | #31 - Indianapolis |
| Joe Hayden, CB - 1:15 | #7 - Cleveland |
| Demaryius Thomas, WR 1:20 | #22 - Denver |
| Rolando McClain, ILB - 1:25 | #8 - Oakland |
| Brandon Graham, OLB - 1:25 | #13 - Philadelphia |
| CJ Spiller, RB - 1:30 | #9 - Buffalo |
| Jared Odrick, DT - 1:50 | #28 - Miami |
| Jahvid Best, RB - 1:75 | #30 - Detroit |
| Dan Williams, DT - 1:75 | #26 - Arizona |
| Devin McCourty, CB - 1:100 | #27 - New England |
| Arrelious Benn, WR - 1:100 | #39 - Tampa Bay |
| Brandon Ghee, CB - 1:100 | #96 - Cincinnati |
| Rod Woodson - 1:1,000,000,000 |
*Probability is based upon who is likely to be available, and whom the Steelers may pick from the players still available at the #18 position. It is not an indication of whom the Steelers like best, or whom Mark Berger likes best.
updated 04/25/2010