Steelers in good shape as draft day approaches
Coming off their Super Bowl XL victory, the Steelers enter the NFL Draft in better shape than most defending champs. Pittsburgh already had several key players locked up beyond the upcoming 2006 season and managed to keep all but three of their starters in the fold and already have replaced one of those who left.
It didn’t shock anyone that wide receiver Antwaan Randle El drew a very fat contract offer. He signed with the Washington Redskins. Nor was it very surprising when free safety Chris Hope left for Tennessee. Kimo von Oelhoffen signed with the Jets, which is strange only in the sense that he is on the back end of his career and many felt he would accept a back-up role to stay with the Steelers in hopes of repeating as Super Bowl champs.
The Steelers quickly replaced Hope by signing Ryan Clark away from the St. Louis Rams. He’ll at least compete with Tyrone Carter in training camp for the job. Pittsburgh already had planned to move Brett Keisel into the starting lineup at von Oelhoffen’s expense and they resigned Rodney Bailey to give them a modicum of depth along the defensive front.
Several players are in line to replace Randle El, including Cedrick Wilson, Quincy Morgan and Nate Washington. A punt returner might also come from that group.
Also gone but already replaced is running back Jerome Bettis, who made his expected retirement official moments after Super Bowl XL. Willie Parker returns as the starter and Duce Staley gets first crack at Bettis’ role as short-yardage back.
All of the above is true, but none of the above means the Steelers will forfeit their 10 picks in the draft. The quality and depth already on its roster puts Pittsburgh in the enviable position of not needing to draft for a position. Instead, the Steelers can afford to sit back and see which players fall to them.
They also have some ammunition if they desire to trade up (or down) in the draft. The Steelers were awarded three compensatory picks, two at the end of the fourth round and one in the fifth. By rule, they cannot trade those picks, but having them opens the possibility of trading their other seven picks.
Of course, the Steelers realize this draft is as important as any other. Like it is for every team, the draft is the Steelers’ best chance to add quality youth to their roster. They won’t reach for a player and they won’t bring in many, if any, projects.
This year’s draft is said to be deep, so the Steelers hope to add three good, proven players in the first three rounds. In Sunday’s last four rounds, they’ll go after players they believe can make their roster, even if it’s just on special teams.
Standing pat is not an option, so the Steelers will come into the draft with a game plan. There are areas they will target and, even with the 32nd and last pick in the first round, there are players they will target.
Chances are good that some player or some position will fall to them, much like starting guards Alan Faneca and Kendall Simmons fell to them in previous drafts. You never know until the draft unfolds which position, if any, other teams will ignore.
The Steelers, in no particular order, would like to add depth at defensive end, inside and outside linebacker, running back, safety and, as always, along the offensive line.
Some mock drafts and scouting reports have the Steelers showing a lot of interest in South Carolina safety Ko Simpson, but they also may have a chance to draft Ohio State’s Nick Mangold, the best center on the board, or Maryland’s D’Quell Jackson, the best inside linebacker available. Another possibility is Penn State’s Tamba Hali, who is ranked second among defensive ends, but would likely play outside linebacker for the Steelers. Some recent mock drafts have the Steelers landing Tennessee safety Jason Allen, who would team nicely with Troy Polamalu to solidify the Steelers secondary.
And don’t forget about USC running back LenDale White. He is dropping like a rock, but weighing in like a glacier. He may be the wild card in what may be a wild draft for the Steelers.
NEXT: Quarterbacks
(EDITOR’S NOTE: First in a series about the Steelers and the upcoming NFL Draft, to be held Saturday and Sunday, April 29-30. Today: Overview)