Only 6 More Days! Who do the Steelers Draft?

April 19, 2009

Ryan Parish

Only 6 More Days! Who do the Steelers Draft?

I don't know about you guys, but with only 6 days left until the biggest event of the offseason and I can hardly wait. This is the time of year we get to see some new faces added to the roster and see who the future stars of the Steelers are going to be. The Steelers rarely add players through free agency, as evidenced by this offseason, and this is the payoff for fans who've been waiting all offseason for news on the Steelers.

Pittsburgh has 9 draft picks this year and will definately be looking to address the OL, DL, and CB. There is also talk of drafting a WR who will eventually fall in to the 3 reciever set once Hines Ward is gone. Personally I would like to seem them address the OL first as that was the biggest weakness last season. Then depending on who is still available I would definately look to add depth on the D before addressing the WR position. Now on to who'll they'll draft.

1st Round: If I were calling the shots for the Steelers I would definately go OL here. ESPN's Kiper Jr. and McShay are currently projecting the Steelers to go CB here but I would disagree with that. As of now the O-line's likely starters are: Justin Hartwig, Chris Kemoeatu, Max Starks, Willie Colon, and Darnell Stapleton. I like Hartwig, Starks, and Colon, but Kemoeatu and Stapleton are replaceable in my opinion. Plus Hartwig is aging and drafting a rookie who can eventually be his successor would be a wise move.

Here are the three possible picks at OL I could see the Steelers going for:

1. Alex Mack C (Cal): If still available I would be fine if the Steelers drafted him. Mack is listed at 6-4 and 312 pounds, so he's big. He considered the best center in the draft and has earned several Pac-10 honors while at Cal. In '07 he was a finalist for the Rimington trophy. Scouts say he has great intelligence and he seems to fit all of the personality traits the Steelers like: Humble, Hard-nosed, Intelligent.

2. Max Unger T/C (Oregon): This is a guy I've watched since he arrived at Oregon. I'm a Ducks fan and I can tell you that this guy is one of the most under-rated linemen in this draft he's big (6-5, 309 lbs) versatile, strong and smart. He started as a left tackled in 2005 and 2006 but switched over to play center in 2007. He earned first team All Pac-10 Honors there. Call me a homer but personally I'm pulling for the steelers to draft him. Also it will create an interesting story because he'd have to face fomer teamate Haloti Ngata at least twice a year.

Eric Wood C/G (Louisville): I don't a lot about this guy. He's 6-4 309 and he has been attracting a lot of attention from the Steelers as of late. As I said, I don't know a lot about him. The first time I saw him play was in the Senior Bowl. I was impressed on he essential shut down B.J. Rajii, the top rated DT in the draft. Other than that there is not a lot I can say about him.

Later rounds: In the second round is where I would go with a DB or another OL. If the kid from UConn, Butler, is still available I would grab him, but chances are he won't. Once again I'm going to sound a bit homerish but if Patrick Chung from Oregon is still out there I would take him for two reasons: one you could turn him into a project and try to teach him how to play CB, or two you could have him learn from Clark. Clark is going to be a free agent next year along with Hines, Heath Miller, Casey Hampton and a few others. The steelers won't be able to keep them all and a player like Chung would be a good choice to step in after Clark.

The Steelers will also likely draft a few DL and LBs in the late rounds for depth. Ziggy Hood might be a pick for DL. He matches up with the history of DLs drafted by the Steelers. In the 3-4 you don't need the best athletes, just guys who can open holes for your blitzers. Hood is big and may be able to be molded into a solid player.

Here's the final pitch I will make for an Oregon player: Nick Reed. The kid was an animal in college. He's a bit undersized for an NFL DL so he might be forced to either bulk up or switch to a LB but the kid can play. If he's picked up in the late rounds he would be a great player to try to devolp.

If that doesn't convince you I don't know what will. I'm surprised nobody has talked about him because he was just unstoppable in college. Anyway I can't wait to see how the Steelers draft plays out. Go Steelers!

Keywords: Pittsburgh Steelers Draft

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