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2009
NFL Draft Needs - Pittsburgh Steelers
by Gregory Cox
Senior Writer
4/22/09
Picks (9): 32, 64, 96, 132, 168, 169*, 205, 226, 241
*-compensatory pick cannot be traded
Offensive Line – The primary need is at center. Justin Hartwig
allowed an NFL high 6 sacks. The franchise has a rich tradition at the
position and could find a player to live up to the likes of Webster and
Dawson in this draft. At guard/tackle they somehow managed to keep
their starting lineup intact. The losses were guard Kendall Simmons
(released) and tackle Marvel Smith (49ers). Tackle Max Starks is
playing under the franchise tag. Reinforcements in the form of backups
will be picked up in the draft. Overall it is nice for quarterback Ben
Roethlisberger to stand up for his guys while hoisting the Lombardi
Trophy. If they draft quality talent he might be lifting it up again
with healthy ribs and minus the cobwebs in his head.
Defensive Line – Of their top six players on the line, five are
on the wrong side of 30 years old. The exception, Nick Eason, turns 29
next month. I would say an infusion of youth is coming. Finding talent
for a 3-4 defense is never easy. The Steelers have the luxury of coming
into this search with the NFL’s top defense. They are not in panic mode
obviously and can simply reload.
Wide Receiver – Their top three receivers accounted for 69% of
the passing game in 2008. The starters are back. Santonio Holmes is
polishing his Super Bowl MVP trophy. Hines Ward just turned 33 and
given his willingness to throw blocks figures to be nearing the end.
Nate Washington (Titans) is gone and takes his chunk of the
aforementioned production with him. Second round pick Limas Sweed
caught just 6 passes as a rookie, but obviously will be given an
opportunity to develop. There is really no other talent to speak of
which means they need to add talent. A return threat would be an added
bonus.
Cornerback – The concern here is depth. Bryant McFadden
(Cardinals) is gone. Fernando Bryant was signed for another season and
at 32 it might be his last in the NFL. Speaking of which starter Deshea
Townsend turns 34 two days before the regular season opener. Young,
fast receivers enter the league every year. They will be looking to add
someone in the middle rounds.
Free Safety – I just don’t know what the team is going to do
without Anthony Smith (Packers). Who is going to talk trash? In
actually important player news Ryan Clark is in a contract year. Last
year’s sixth round pick Ryan Mundy did not see any action and grabbing
a rookie to offset the departure of Smith and somewhat prepare for the
possibility Clark moves on would be something to ponder.
Linebacker – This is a position the Steelers always pay
attention to, and the reason is obvious. They win with defense and run
a 3-4. Larry Foote nearly departed for his native Detroit and 2009 will
be it for him. James Farrior’s production has been incredibly
consistent since joining the team in 2002 and he has missed just 4
games in that span. However, if they play in the Super Bowl again he
will be doing so at age 35. Don’t misunderstand my vibe here. This is
not doom and gloom. James Harrison is locked up and ready to go while
LaMarr Woodley and Lawrence Timmons are still very young. They are not
hurting even if Foote and Farrior hang up their cleats at the end of
the season, but the time is now to prepare for that possibility because
it is very likely.
Quarterback – Again, let’s not go off the deep end Steeler fans.
The starter is set. There is an experienced if not exciting backup in
the form of Charlie Batch who knows this system well. They also have
dynamic former Heisman Trophy candidate Dennis Dixon although I
consider him as a threat only in the “Wildcat” formation used in
conjunction with another player. They wanted Byron Leftwich (Bucs) to
stay, but also failed to offer him much money. The dilemma is that
drafting a rookie means carrying four quarterbacks or deciding between
the rookie and Dixon, right? I could see them added a priority rookie
free agent. There are some under the radar guys to choose from.
Michael
Abromowitz's 2009 NFL Mock
Draft - 7 rounds
Gregory Cox's 2009 NFL Mock
Draft - 6 rounds
Jared Donnelly's 2009 NFL Mock Draft
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