The Top Five Positions of Need for the Steelers in the 2012 NFL Draft

direction this year…. so many talented players at are need positions, as well as a big turn over of veterans this year… then throw in a new OC and transition to a new DC soon after, its perplexing accounting for all the variables….
I would add FB as position of need… with hopes of our running corp healing… dont know if safty is a “urgent need”…. Iv been watching this kid from Oregon the past few seasons… if it werent for his off field issues, and maturity (something I think can be steelered out of him) he would be (even though ta bit undersized, a great player to move from his current CB to safty position….he has great ball awareness and game.. and likely could snatch him up in the later rounds, a prayer would be the third…

G
ILB
NT
OT
S

G – I think you are a bit too high on our interior linemen. They are all average run blockers and far below average pass blockers. I think with one talented G our OL would vastly improve as it would instantly improve Pouncey’s play and allow us to do more things in the run game.

ILB – 2 old guys and Timmons coming off his worst year since the high ankle sprain in 09.

NT – I’m really curious what Hampton if we ask him to take a cut. And I really hope Tomlin has the balls to cut him if he can’t work something out. We’d be hurting without him, but we are hurting worse paying a $2 mill (before the knee injury) player 8 million. McLendon gives us at least some flexibility. Using a high pick on a NT gives us a lot more.

OT – What can we expect from Colon? You can count the snaps he’s taken in the last 2 years on your hands and toes. Gilbert was okay at RT, but I don’t think he has the talent to be a top tier LT in this year. I’d prefer to have someone there who is extremely athletic and quick. That guy is not on the roster.

S – I think Troy can play for quite awhile longer, but Clark doesn’t have the playmaking ability that Troy does. Time to find an heir.

I assume we will take the BPA at these positions and possibly trade up, if it isn’t too expensive, to grab a ILB, an O-lineman or, in the 2nd or 3rd round a NT.

It will be interesting to see how some of the younger non-starters progress in the off-season and in training camp.

Is the possibility of the move to a 4-3 Tampa 2 scheme. One reason the Steelers had so much initial success with the 3-4 defense was that they were one of very few teams that ran the system, so finding elite players to fit their system wasn’t nearly as difficult. With alot of the league moving to a 3-4 system now, it might make sense to switch back and get the play makers you can at that system. Is it necessarily a good reason to switch? No, but it is one of the perks of doing so. The obvious reason would be more coaching staff familiarity when Coach LeBeau decides to step away from the game. I think, though, one of the most telling signs of that is if they pass on a NT that is available if Burfict, Hightower, DeCastro, etc (guys who are probably better value at positional needs) are off the board.

Now, to address the point at hand, assuming we stick 3-4 (because it would be weird to assume otherwise), the most needed positions are:
1) OG – not to be confused with “Original Gangster”, this is huge. The talent level really isn’t there. Drafting a 1st rd OG (BPA, etc) would go a long way to helping that O-Line. Grabbing 2 would be great.
2) NT – Who backs up here next year to begin the year? I’ve got McClendon starting (assuming Snack-tastic is still recovering), and then…? I don’t know. You have to get a talented body here for the long term. Steve McClendon is not a long term answer.
3) ILB – Just no depth there at all. I’m leery of Farrior, but there’s no way a rookie starts at buck anway, so it has to be someone that can replace him soon.
4) Safety – Troy is Troy, and a hall of famer. But he’s also the wrong side of 30 (though barely) and more importantly, the wrong side of several concussions (I couldn’t find a definitive number, but I remember an ESPN graphic showing a lot). Point being, between the way him and Clark play, there’s need for depth there and soon. Antonio Allen mid to late 4th round would be awesome, and I think there’s the depth you need for now, plus future starting ceiling.
5) OLB – Guess how much depth we have at OLB? Not as much as I thought. I wasn’t thrilled with Worilds, especially in run support, and then behind him is… Lawerence Timmons apparently. James Harrison isn’t young, and after the season Woodley had with the number of injuries, it’s clear there’s a need at depth here. Not as critical as the others, but definitely an area of concern.

In order:

1. NT – Although the ILB position is needy, a good NT can alleviate a slightly sub-par Buck, especially in the run game. I suspect the Steelers will target a NT in RD1 in this draft and will ask Casey to turn his 1 year into two to get his cap number down. This is the most important position in the 3-4.

2. OG – for obvious reasons. Maybe Rd1 or Rd2…or more in Rds 4-7.

3. Safety – with a pass happy league, a safety that can play over the top is vital. You can always have three safeties on the field in dime and nickle formations too. This pick lets Troy play a “rover” in those formations with 2DL, 4LBs, 2CBs and two other safeties…or in a 2-3-6. Depends on who is left @ 24…that kid from Alabama might be a good fit.

4. ILB – they will re-sign Foote and draft an ILB in rounds 3-4. Too many other needs and too much $$$$ locked up in the LB rotation right now to go higher.

5. CB – A depth upgrade would be nice. Round 4-7 flyer.

Locks not to go in RD 1: QB, kicker, punter, WR

The Football Gods are angry at you Neal :)