Steelers 2009 Draft Preview

by Mario2010 on Apr 11, 2009 3:41 AM EDT

Sometimes it is hard to tell what the defending Super Bowl champs will do in the Draft, but in this case, it isn't. Pittsburgh has a glaring weakness at offensive tackle, one that didn't grow any dimmer when Marvel Smith signed with the 49ers late last month. Whoever Pittsburgh can get at No. 32 will probably be better than Willie Colon, Trai Essex, and Max Starks on day one. There's no reason why Mike Tomlin and company shouldn't try to upgrade the guard and center slots either. The defense is going to be scary again in 2009, but with Bryant McFadden now a Cardinal, another body at the cornerback position is recommended. Finally, a wide receiver, given Hines Ward's advancing age and Nate Washington's free agent defection to Tennessee, wouldn't be a bad pick and would likely please Ben Roethlisberger.

2008 Record: 12-4

First Pick: No. 32

Number of Selections: 9 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 5, 6, 7, 7)

RECENT FIRST ROUND HISTORY: 2008 - Rashard Mendenhall (RB, Illinois); 2007 - Lawrence Timmons (LB, Florida State); 2006 - Santonio Holmes (WR, Ohio State); 2005 - Heath Miller (TE, Virginia); 2004 - Ben Roethlisberger (QB, Miami- Ohio); 2003 - Troy Polamalu (SS, USC); 2002 - Kendall Simmons (OG, Auburn); 2001 - Casey Hampton (DT, Texas); 2000 - Plaxico Burress (WR, Michigan State); 1999 - Troy Edwards (WR, Louisiana Tech); 1998 - Alan Faneca (OG, LSU); 1997 - Chad Scott (CB, Maryland); 1996 - Jamain Stephens (OT, North Carolina A&T); 1995 - Mark Bruener (TE, Washington); 1994 - Charles Johnson (WR, Colorado); 1993 - Deon Figures (CB, Colorado); 1992 - Leon Searcy (OT, Miami-Florida); 1991 - Huey Richardson (LB, Florida); 1990 - Eric Green (TE, Liberty).

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Looking through that list of 1st rounders since 2000/colbert

Man this guy can pick first round talent. Pretty much everyone there has made significant contributions to this team over the years or holds a great deal of promise to do so.

by BallsofSteel on Apr 11, 2009 3:02 PM EDT reply actions

Clearly a tackle would be an upgrade, but I’m not sure why the steelers would bother reaching for a tackle at the end of the first, and I can almost guarantee that a tackle will not be drafted in the first unless a top-tier tackle falls and the steelers trade into the upper 20s for him.

RG and LG are not only bigger needs than LT and RT, but there will be better talent available for them. C is not an immediate need but the steelers will plan for the future and hopefully pick up someone that can help out as a guard as well. Stapleton is not likely to play a better guard than most of the bigger centers around, though his experience helps.

The steelers will draft BPA non-QB and RB, and anyone who thinks otherwise is deluding themselves.

Don't worry about the haters. Haters only hate.

by steelguy99 on Apr 11, 2009 5:21 PM EDT reply actions

Completely agree

The steelers know that they can fill their needs at CB and DL later in the draft and there is no need to reach for a OL in the first round when the same talent can be had in the 2nd. Thats why I expect the steelers to draft the BPa which I think may be percy harvin, a lot of people think he will go to the titans but they haven’t drafted a WR in the first round in about 10 years plus with the acquisition of Nate W. why would they break that habit now when they really don’t need to? I can see him falling to us because the Cards are loaded at reciever. He’d be bonafide round 1 material and would sure up depth for us in the WR and PR fighting for the number 4 slot and when Hines retires the number 3. But we’ll see it’ll depend on who’ll drop and you know someone will.

by tannofsteel84 on Apr 11, 2009 11:14 PM EDT up reply actions

I’d love to see the Center from Cal here, he could be a versatile reserve starting out, probably start at Guard then take Center over when he’s ready. He’s gonna be great.

by Phantaskippy on Apr 13, 2009 4:16 PM EDT reply actions