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My brief overview of what should our Steelers are looking at going into the draft.

Lets look at things as they stand now.

Later I will post my last mock draft before the real thing takes place. Hope you enjoy.

The basic assumption is that the weakness of the Steelers is the defensive backfield, offensive line, and defensive line in that order.

Now there is no denying our defensive backfield is in desperate need of an overhall. Troy P. is starting to breakdown from flinging himself all over the feild, Ryan Clark is getting older and slower, Ike Taylor is 30 and may start to slow down soon plus he is a free agent and may not be back. Bryant McF is always tweeking something and when healthy still isn't that productive, William Gay regularly gets beaten like a government mule, K. Lewis and C. Butler have shown flashes in pre-season but nothing during the regluar season. Therefore I think it is a legitimate expectation that the Steelers will draft multiple defensive backs in this draft (and rightly so).

The offensive line, though not a strength compared to linebacker or wide receiver, I don't feel is that far from becoming at least an above average line. Lets not forget going to camp last year our supposed best OL was ruled out for the season with a torn Achilles. Then during the season our other OT went down and missed significant time. Still the line produced a 1000+ yard rusher. If we can get our entire line back and functioning as a unit (that means Starks, Kemo, Pouncey, Draft Pick/Colon, Colon/Adams from left to right) I don't see why we couldn't consider that to be one of the better lines available to teams this coming year. Then throw in backups like Legusky (who acquited himself quite nicely in the Super Bowl), Hills, Essex, and Foster who all got valuable playing time last year and we have a deep if unspectular line. Add Chris Scott who I liked as a draft pick and would like to see worked into the lineup roation and I think we can get by with a single mid-round pick unless somebody just falls in our lap.

As for the defensive line, though OLD and injury prone now the level of play has not significantly dropped, though you never know when it will. All 3 starters are playing very well can could start on most other 3-4 lines in the NFL. What the DL is lacking is quality backup beyone Hood who could step in and play if called upon to do so. Therefore I feel this is an area that will be addressed with multiple picks in the upcoming draft as well.

Well that is where I see the focus needing to be in the upcoming draft. I am sure there will be some other positions such as TE or WR or LB addressed also but these 3 areas must be at least strengthened if not overhauled if the Steelers are to contend next year.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

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