Commentary
Look for Steelers to go after Miami free safety in first round PITTSBURGH – Ed Reed.
Remember that name.
If it remains on the draft board when the Pittsburgh Steelers prepare to exercise the 30th pick in Saturday’s NFL Draft, it won’t be there when St. Louis comes up at 31.
Reed is a free safety prospect from the University of Miami. At 5-11, 195 pounds, he is somewhat tall and skinny, but he is a ballhawk known for interceptions and tipped passes. Despite his lanky frame, Reed also is a solid hitter who could play strong safety.
Steelers coach Bill Cowher had a terrific interview with Reed at the Indianapolis scouting combine and that should be a harbinger. Cowher also had great personal interviews with Casey Hampton a year ago and with Plaxico Burress the year before that.
There are two flies in the Steelers’ ointment, however. Reed, considered the second best safety prospect behind Oklahoma’s Roy Williams, might not last until the 30th pick. The other one is Northwestern linebacker Napoleon Harris. If Harris and Reed both last until the 30th pick, Cowher might have to fight for his guy. Chances are, the head coach would win that battle and pick Reed.
If both Reed and Harris are gone, expect the Steelers to focus on the offensive line, particularly guard, perhaps Colorado’s Andre Gurode. At 6-4, 316 pounds, Gurode is what former offensive coordinator Ron Erhardt would call a road grader. He’s also versatile enough to be considered a backup center.
The Steelers have eight picks in the seven-round draft, which will be held Saturday and Sunday. They have all seven of their picks, plus an extra seventh-round selection, courtesy of the expansion Houston Texans who signed Kris Brown.
Three rounds will be conducted Saturday, and the Steelers, even though they are coming off a huge turnaround season, place great emphasis on each selection.
In the second round, look for the team to take advantage of the unusually deep crop of wide receivers available. They have a few of them in mind, two players who bring totally different things to the table.
Auburn’s Tim Carter is fast and has nice size (5-11, 190). His 4.32 time in the 40-yard dash is as fast as it gets in this league, but he isn’t quite as accomplished as Michigan’s Marquise Walker.
Walker ran a disappointing 4.67 at the combine, which could help him fall into Pittsburgh’s lap with the 62nd overall pick. He is big (6-2, 219) and has what scouts call “functional speed.” That means he’s as fast as he needs to be. Walker also excels on special teams, an area where the Steelers need a serious upgrade.
In the third round, depth at linebacker should be addressed. Northwestern’s Kevin Bentley (6-0, 243) is an outside linebacker who might work better inside for the Steelers. He played inside in college and is an excellent special teams played.
Another third-round possibility is Tennessee’s Will Overstreet. At 6-3, 259, he’s listed on most boards as a defensive end, but he would be an outside linebacker in Pittsburgh. Overstreet is an overachiever who is quick despite his size. He’s considered a ‘tweener between defensive end and linebacker, but that makes him perfect for Pittsburgh’s 3-4 defensive front.
Getting Reed, Walker and Overstreet would make for a perfect Saturday for the Steelers. Getting two of the three would be great, but landing Reed is the important part. If he lasts until the 30th pick, Pittsburgh will bring him into the fold.
Reed’s name has been linked to the Steelers in mock drafts all the way back to February. There is no reason to back off it now.
Sports editor Mike Ciarochi may be reached online at mciarochi@heraldstandard.com