I don’t believe we can grade the draft until we see these players on the field. Mendenhall pulls a hammy in the first practice (like Timmons last year) and we’re ready to give him an A and send FWP packing? (quote; “2009, I don’t believe he will be signed.” I agree 34 appears to be an upgrade over Davenport but last year proved that teams that run the ball need a couple good backs. See Bettis/Parker. If Mendenhall is everything you say then I see them STILL offereing FWP a contract in 2009. The Rooney’s won’t overpay him but will offer him a contract.

While I agree that Sweed MAY be an upgrade over Nate (Sweed hasn’t caught 1 pass yet) and Davis could be an upgrade over Arnold Harrison, Marquis Cooper and Andre Frazier (Davis was a DL in college not a LB) it is too soon to tell. What I don’t agree with is calling Hills (injured) an upgrade over Essex and Starks. Dude, Starks is a starting RT on a Super Bowl winner and started at LT last year as well when Smith went down. Essex played LT in a playoff game and looked decent. You’re ready to grade an injured Hills over Starks (7 million a year) and Essex? Dixon who is coming off an ACL injury and may go IR this year is rated above Batch? Humpal (who might not make the team) is an upgrade over cagey veteran Krierwalt? How do you know? Same with Mundy.

All in all I am disappointed that the Steelers did not address their number 1 needs in the trenches but I am happy that they didn’t reach and took good prospects. The problem is many of them are coming off injuries (Sweed, Dixon, Mundy, Hills) and one is freshly injured (Mendenhall) so I think it is a bit premature to state a rookie is an upgrade over a proven veteran before practice in Latrobe even begins.

I would hope that we re-sign Willie to a 3 or 4 year deal after this one, preferably 3. Also, I would hope that we lock up Mendenhall for at least 4, preferably 5 years. That would give us both for the next 4-5 years, and Mendenhall would be entering the end of his rookie contract as Willie’s career is winding down.

It would also be nice if the fact that he’s taking Mendenhall under his wing, as mention in another FanPost, would mean that Willie is willing to stick around at a real market value as his skills begin to diminish, instead of looking to get overpaid and fail somewhere else.

Limas Sweed

Well personally I think that this kid, assuming he isn’t a bust, (very good chance that he isn’t) could be our no. 2 receiver by next year. Obviously, he won’t be this year unless there are major injuries I mean he’s a rookie. But by next year I think there’s a chance he could surpass Holmes. Holmes, as you all recall, was our 1st round pick in 2006. He played well in his rookie year and his higlight of the season was when he ended the Bungles hopes for a playoff birth. However, there have been questions to Holmes’ character. Now, I don’t think there are many problems between him and the players, but his off the field stuff is not acceptable. Back in ‘06 he was arrested for hitting his girlfriend and this offseason there have been rumors of him “exposing” himself on the internet. Holmes’ ability is very good, but his attitude and lack in dyanmic ability (getting the jump ball) are problems. He’s more of a deep threat, who can burn receivers long but can’t win any jump balls. Sweed can do all of this and has great character. Eventual no.2 in my book.