Steelers Draft Needs 2009

[SD2042]

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsbu ... 13834.html

The article by John Harris talks about how predictable the Steelers are in terms of maintaining and improving the team via in house methods. Like the O-line he mentioned in the article, LG Kendall Simmons was let go for the big signing of current Steelers LG Chris Kemoeatu to take his place and with a new deal in place.

Most of the fans in general have criticized the O-Line throughoutthe 2008-09 season for allowing the numerous sacks to QB Ben Roethlisberger. Sometimes the sacks can be placed on Big Ben's shoulders as well. Through is all, the Steelers came out the champions of Super Bowl XLIII of 2009. What do they need to improve on?

LDE- With Orpheus Roye in FA, Aaron Smith and Travis Kirschke being 33 and above. Now would be a good time for the Steelers to look to the draft to find a fresh player who can play the role and eventually succeed to being a DE starter forthe Steelers later on.

FA to consider: Victor Adeyanju,

NT Is a possibility?. Although the Steelers O-line is suspect at times. It's nothing wrong to draft a NT considering the Steelers will need to upgrade within the next couple of yrs.

FAs' to consider:

RCB Townsend definately represented himself well this past season at the vet age of 33. He can play wit hthe best of them on the defensive side of the football. Fernando Bryant is also another vet CB who's been in the game and played solid defense for the teams he played for throughout his career. Both guys are getting older and the Steelers could look into the draft to find a RCB who best fit the Steelers defensive schemes.

FAs' to consider:

WR Although their WR core is pretty solid with Ward and Holmes and co.. The Steelers can't go wrong with adding another WR to the Steelers offense. They lost late season addition Nate Washington to the Titans recently. So the more WR options the Steelers have, the better the offense is spread out to keep the defense friendly.

FAs' to consider: Miles Austin, D.J. Hackett, Drew Carter, Ruvell Martin

If anyone else wish to add more, feel free to join in the draft talk.

[SD2042]

http://football.realgm.com/src_wiretap_ ... nso_smith/

[Hannibal]

Slovenly work from the Trib

LDE- With Orpheus Roye in FA, Aaron Smith and Travis Kirschke being 33 and above. Now would be a good time for the Steelers to look to the draft to find a fresh player who can play the role and eventually succeed to being a DE starter forthe Steelers later on.

FA to consider: Victor Adeyanju, Rashad Butler

Rashad Butler is not a DE. He is a backup ZBS LT, last with Houston.

NT Is a possibility?. Although the Steelers O-line is suspect at times. It's nothing wrong to draft a NT considering the Steelers will need to upgrade within the next couple of yrs.

FAs' to consider: Khalif Barnes, Donald Penn

Not at NT. Khalif Barnes is a LT, as is Donald Penn.

Harris gets it wrong in detail and belabors the obvious. The DL is excellent but old; the OL is average (at best) but young. We all know that. Between those bigs and the smalls (WR, CB), there's LB; like DL, a strength in 2008 and another 2009 draft target.

If the Steelers cannot soon come to an extension agreement with Harrison, then OLB is a need. It's now or never for Silverback since, next year Woodley will be the OLB to extend. The choice between an edge rusher in his 20s vs. one in his 30s is easy. The FO cannot allow Lamarr to reach the market.

[SD2042]

Speaking of LBs', the Steelers resigned both Andre Frazier and Arnold Harrison to a two yr and one yr deal respectively today. I hope the Steelers and Harrison find a compromise to resign him back to the team.

[SD2042]

WR Draft potentials

Jamarko Simmons, Western Michigan. 6’3”, 240 pounds, 4.58 40.

Summary: Converted running back with a thick body but very lithe quickness and speed for his size. Very good hands and the ball rarely gets to his pads. Quick acceleration and he knows how to hit the extra gear at the right time. Very good at catching and securing the ball in traffic and in the red zone. A real load to bring down with the ball. Has a knack for clutch catches and shined in the spotlight. Not real polished running routes but showed the ability to learn quickly at the Texas vs. the Nation game, where he really stood out. Got away with a lot of pushes and chucks that won't fly in the NFL to get initial separation. Lacks top-end speed, though he does play faster than he'll likely time. Very hit and miss as a blocker. Needs time in the weight room and with an NFL training staff.

NFL Comparison: Roy Williams as a best-case that I'm optimistic he can eventually achieve, but more realistically Ruvell Martin or a thicker Michael Jenkins.

Forecast: His lack of speed and pedigree limit his status, but he's a sleeper worth watching. Probably won't get picked before the bottom of the fifth round, but trust me: you will be real happy if your team picks him in the sixth or seventh round and develops into a very good red zone weapon, special teamer, and possession receiver.

17. Mike Wallace, Ole Miss. 6'0", 188 pounds, 4.48 40.

Summary: Big-play wideout who consistently gets open downfield. Sneaky speed, good quickness. Runs better long routes than shorter ones. Average size, not very physical. Strong hands but lets the ball get to his pads too often, double-catches lots of balls. Needs to get physically stronger and add lower body bulk.
NFL Comparison: Nate Washington.

Forecast: Fourth-fifth rounder who can contribute as a slot/Z receiver and stretch the field

Dominique Edison, Stephen F. Austin: He is an intriguing speedster with good size (6'2", 200) who dominated most FCS corners. I only saw one game tape and the TVTN week but he really impressed with his feet, hands, and body control, really looked like a man amongst boys. Making a huge leap in level of competition and comes from a shotgun spread. Good late-round sleeper who is similar to Laurent Robinson.

[SD2042]

Potential OT to draft

Eben Britton-Arizona
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/556821

Jamon Meredith- South Carolina
http://www.fftoolbox.com/nfl_draft/prof ... ct_ID=1674

Alex Boone-Ohio State
http://www.fftoolbox.com/nfl_draft/prof ... ct_ID=1258

[el loco]

another clip on a tackle that I have seen us rumored to have had an interest in is William Beatty from UConn.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jhJ1h1FIRQ

I have noticed that he has moved up a few spots on some Mocks, and Britton is the guy who is starting to slip to our spot. No need for me to find info on him because it's already posted

I hope we take a tackle with our first pick. It wouldn't bother me if we wasted our first two picks on the line. Big Ben is taking to many hits and sacks, we need to protect him and give him a little more time to work with.

[SD2042]

I believe that Britton is a good possibility to be selected by the Steelers considering they love to draft defense first.

[SD2042]

DEs' to consider

Aaron Maybin, DE, Penn State
http://www.fftoolbox.com/nfl_draft/prof ... ct_ID=1721

Matt Shaughnessy, DE, Wisconsin
http://www.fftoolbox.com/nfl_draft/prof ... ct_ID=1650

Paul Kruger, DE, Utah
http://www.fftoolbox.com/nfl_draft/prof ... ct_ID=1883

Greg Hardy, DE Ole Miss
http://cfn.scout.com/2/848202.html

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OT Max Unger-Oregon

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/520658

Another OT for the Steelers to look at.

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CBs' to look at

Darius Butler- UConn
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/537434

Vontae Davis- Illinois
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1115108

Terrell Jackson- Mississippi
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1255144

More to come