Projection of Steelers NFL Draft - First 4 Rounds

I'd be remiss if I didn't inaugurate my Steelers blog with an analysis of the 2008 NFL Draft when it's less than two weeks away. Draft predictions are an exercise in sports geek futility, but with a little understanding of the team's needs and philosophy, you can take an educated stab at who they may end up with.

Don't look at these picks as mere predictions. That's sort of silly anyway. Look at it as a combo of prediction/wishful thinking.

So, without further ado, here are my first four rounds...

1.  Gosder Cherilus OT, Boston College

O-line depth is easily the #1 need for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and they probably won't go wrong with this pick. While Brandon Albert seems to be the slightly better talent, he'll be gone before the #23 pick.

There were some whisperings about the Steelers taking RB Jonathan Stewart from Oregon if he fell in their lap. While most people would react with shock with that insinuation, it's not altogether insane. As great as Willy Parker is as an explosive runner, there is that subtle lack of hard nose, consistent 4-5 yard gains that kept the chains moving so effectively in the Bettis days. The idea of a thunder/lightening combo of Parker and Stewart would be drool-worthy, but this will unlikely be a choice they will need to make.

2.  Dre Moore DL, Maryland

It would be an intriguing pick to take Malcom Kelley, the WR from Oklahoma to give Roethlisburger the big target he wants. But, he will almost definitely barely be out of reach. Washington or Philadelphia will take him in the spots before them.

It's probably more prudent to address a defensive need, anyway. Defensive lineman Dre Moore out of Maryland is an inviting second round pick. The Steelers fanbase saw how exposed the defensive line looked when Aaron Smith went down late in the year. It's time to shore up some depth, especially since Smith isn't getting any younger.

3. Jordy Nelson WR, Kansas St.

This would be a real coup of a first three rounds if they could cap it with this tall receiver out of Kansas St. Good hands, solid speed, a tall strong frame... just the receiver that Big Ben is looking for.

4.  Ray Rice RB, Rutgers

Willie Parker, meet your thunder.

That number four is probably a real stretch. More likely they will fill a DB position there. But let's face it - it's a real crap shoot figuring things out that late in the draft. Let's see how it turns out.