Steelers look to add depth at defensive line
EDITOR’S NOTE: Another in a series of articles about the Pittsburgh Steelers’ preparations for the NFL Draft, to be held Saturday and Sunday. Today: Defensive linemen.PITTSBURGH – Defensive line was the most improved segment of Pittsburgh’s defense last season.
The emergence of Casey Hampton at nose tackle coincided with Aaron Smith and Kimo von Oelhoffen stepping up at each of the end positions to give Pittsburgh one of the league’s most formidible fronts.
Plus, the team has depth along the front. Kendrick Clancy backs Hampton and Chris Hoke is behind him. Rodney Bailey filled in quite nicely at end when needed and could start for many teams. Brett Keisel made a name for himself on special teams and has the opportunity this season to show what he can do at end.
Expect the Steelers to address depth along the line at some point of the draft. It’s important to note that, since the Steelers play a 3-4 defense, most college defensive ends are outside linebackers to the Steelers and many college defensive tackles become ends in Pittsburgh. There are plenty of both available in this draft.
A few Penn State players will hear their names called relatively early in this draft. Jimmy Kennedy is considered by many to be the best defensive tackle available and Michael Haynes is either second or third among ends.
Kennedy reported to Penn State weighing over 400 pounds, but redshirted in 1998, got in shape and became a three-year starter. He is expected to make an immediate impact regardless of where or by whom he is drafted.
Haynes was just a solid prospect until he dominated at the Senior Bowl. Still, he is considered raw and must continue to show improvement.
A third Penn Stater, tackle Anthony Adams, might be the best pure nose tackle in this draft. He’s a bit on the small side (5-11, 290), but plays low and uses leverage well. He is very difficult for run blockers to move, so he can effectively clog the middle.
The best of the ends is Arizona State’s Terrell Suggs, who should be selected in the top five overall. Haynes may be next or it could be Miami’s Jerome McDougle, brother of Detroit offensive tackle Stockar McDougle. The Indianapolis Scouting Combine, where McDougle was impressive and Haynes struggled, might be the final determining factor for the teams selecting between them.
The next group of ends includes Chris Kelsay of Nebraska, who is likened to former Cornhusker and current Rams defensive end Grant Wistrom; Colorado’s Tyler Brayton, who is versatile enough to play end or tackle; Texas’ Cory Redding, who is 6-4, 275 and has a frame to allow him to play heavier, and Louisville’s Dewayne White, who has an injury history but one who produced at Louisville.
A sleeper to keep an eye on is The Citadel’s Cliff Washburn. He was a good basketball player who played only one season of college football. But he made the most of that season with 12 sacks and 20 tackles for losses. Washburn is very raw and unpolished, but showed enough potential to warrent a look by the NFL. He has seventh-round potential, but might be available as an undrafted free agent.
Five tackles could be first-round selections, including Kennedy, Miami’s William Joseph, Kentucky’s Dewayne Robertson, Washington State’s Rien Long and Oklahoma State’s Kevin Williams.
Adams is in the next group (first-day selections), along with Georgia’s Jonathan Sullivan, Ohio State’s Kenny Peterson, Texas A&M’s Ty Warren, Alabama’s Jarret Johnson, Clemson’s Nick Eason, Oregon State’s Eric Manning and Florida’s Ian Scott.
Further down the line, in the fifth-to-sixth round range, is Dan Klecko, son for former Jets All-Pro tackle Joe Klecko. Klecko is short (5-11), but has good speed. He excelled at Temple, where hardly anybody excels.
West Virginia’s David Upchurch has a chance to be drafted, but may end up as an undrafted free agent. At 6-3, 283, he lacks ideal size for a tackle, but isn’t quick enough to play end in most schemes. However, the Steelers would view him as a defensive end, where he could excel as a run stopper.
NEXT: Linebackers