NFL draft series
Steelers have no glaring need for defensive linemen, but … EDITOR’S NOTE: This is part of a series on the Steelers and the upcoming NFL draft.Last year’s rookie crop helped the defensive line of the Pittsburgh Steelers more than any other area. Casey Hampton was the final piece for the starting group and Rodney Bailey became a valuable back up.
Even though the members are deep, young and under contract, a defensive line should never go unattended. At least that’s been the philosophy during coach Bill Cowher’s era. The Steelers have drafted a lineman by the end of the fifth round every year since 1991, and even though there’s no glaring need, it’s always a possibility with Cowher.
Who’s out there?
They’re all calling North Carolina’s Julius Peppers (6-6 1/4, 283) the next Deacon Jones. Well, not all of them.
“I had a fifth-round grade on the guy,” said one NFL assistant coach. “All he does is run. He doesn’t do anything else.”
Peppers, though, is expected to be selected within the first five picks Saturday. His teammate, defensive tackle Ryan Sims (6-4 1/8, 311) may be the next lineman to go.
The other tackles with first-round grades are Tennessee’s John Henderson (6-6 7/8, 306) and Albert Haynesworth (6-5 5/8, 320), Wisconsin’s Wendell Bryant (6-4 1/4, 308) and Notre Dame’s Anthony Weaver (6-3 1/2, 296).
The Steelers won’t have a chance of drafting either of the Tennessee players. Rated evenly, Henderson would get the nod because of his work ethic and the talented Haynesworth’s lack thereof.
Bryant could be another draft-day plunger, and the Steelers would pass. He’s strictly a one-gap player. Some have gone so far as to say Bryant quit at times last season against double teams.
Weaver is an intriguing prospect, and would fit in the Steelers’ 3-4 scheme as an end. He has the work ethic and character to match his skill. He also doesn’t have much of an opening along the Steelers’ line.
Eddie Freeman (6-5 1/8, 310) of Alabama-Birmingham may get into the first round because of his workouts, but he isn’t the player those numbers report him to be. Another potential high pick, Washington’s Larry Triplett (6-1 3/4, 305) is “being overrated by the media,” according to one scout.
Ranked at defensive end behind Peppers is Georgia’s Charles Grant (6-3, 282), who’s geared more to play end in a 4-3. So is Syracuse’s Dwight Freeney (6-0 7/8, 266). The other top ends are Bryan Thomas (6-4 3/8, 266) and Kalimba Edwards (6-5 3/8, 265), and both could last until the 30th pick and both could be candidates to play 3-4 outside linebacker in two years for the Steelers, but the scenario is doubtful.
Steelers’ situation
As mentioned, the front line is established, as are the backup spots behind von Oelhoffen and Hampton. The backup to Smith is Chris Combs, who’s hoping to show something in his third year. The seventh lineman last season was rookie Chris Hoke. It’s possible the Steelers could try to upgrade the spot behind Smith, but it’s also possible the Steelers could ignore this position for the first time in 11 drafts.
Right guy, right round
Fourth Round – Ryan Denney (6-7, 276), BYU. He’ll be 25 years old in June and has the dreaded linear build, but the long, cool end is similar to the Steelers’ Smith in his upside pro potential. As Denney has been projected for the second or third round, so too was Smith three years ago, but he lasted until the fourth round.
Fifth Round – Aaron Kampman (6-4 1/8, 285), Iowa. This former inside linebacker moved to defensive end two years ago and has the frame to become even bigger. He’s almost big enough now to play end in the Steelers’ 3-4.
Sixth Round – Bret Keisel (6-5, 279), BYU. Another player who’s shown the ability to take on more than one blocker in order to free up linebackers.
Seventh Round – Charles Hill (6-1 7/8, 293), Maryland. Somebody was helping E.J. Henderson stuff the run in College Park. Hill doesn’t grade out athletically, but has the heart to make it.
The local
Any son of any member of the Steel Curtain is considered part of the local family. That goes for Virginia Tech tackle Chad Beasley (6-5 3/8, 303), the son of six-year Steelers lineman Tom Beasley. … Penn State co-captain Bobby Jones has a free-agent grade as a lineman, but impressed scouts with his long-snapping skills.