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2010 NFL Draft: Pittsburgh Steelers Draft Board Begins To Take Shape
by Chris G. Written on April 02, 2010

So far this year, three offensive linemen and one receiver have visited with the Steelers, while three cornerbacks, three linebackers, two safeties, and one defensive lineman have come to Pittsburgh.

Reading into the visits, it is clear that the Steelers will be looking to build the offensive line and get younger on defense.

Guards Chris DeGreare of Wake Forest and Jacques McClendon of Tennessee, as well as Indiana tackle Rodger Saffold, have been the offensive line visits thus far.

The Steelers should have competition at the right guard position, and they appear to be looking for more. Trai Essex made 16 starts last season, and undrafted rookie free agent Ramon Foster made four. It is also expected that last year’s third-round selection, Kraig Urbik, would have developed to the point where he should be a legitimate contender to battle it out with Essex and Foster.

DeGreare and McClendon are both late-round prospects that would need time to develop. They would be drafted for nothing more than depth.

Saffold is a more intriguing prospect. He has the ability to play every position but center and projects as a starter in the NFL. If the Steelers miss out on one of the elite tackle prospects in the first round, Saffold would be a quality addition in the second.

Defensively, it appears that the Steelers are looking for help across the board.

Even after drafting defensive ends Ziggy Hood and Ra’Shon Harris last season, the Steelers may be looking to improve their depth. Enter Mike Neal, defensive end from Purdue.

Neal is a strong, physical player who plays well against the run. He would have to make the transition from defensive tackle to defensive end in the Steelers defense. As a team leader, he would be a great character addition to the team as well. Neal definitely has upside as a fourth- or fifth-round pick.

Pittsburgh will also be taking a strong look at its defensive backfield after bringing in safeties Darrell Stuckey from Kansas and Brandon Ghee from Wake Forest, as well as cornerbacks Nolan Carroll from Maryland, Kareem Jackson from Alabama, and Kyle Wilson from Boise State.

List of pre-draft player visits - 4-9
Bob Labriola - Steelers.com


Each NFL team is allowed to bring 30 prospects in for visits in advance of the 2010 Draft, which is scheduled for April 22-23-24.


The passing attack has become a big part of winning and losing in the NFL, and on Friday, April 9 the Steelers visited with three players who will be involved in that aspect of the game.


One day after hosting six players for their pre-draft visits, the Steelers closed out the week by bringing in three more – two wide receivers and a safety.


The wide receivers were Emmanuel Sanders, 5-foot-11, 186-pounds from SMU, and Rejus Benn, 6-1, 219, from Illinois. The safety was Earl Thomas, 5-10, 208, from Texas.


Sanders, a team captain, led SMU in receiving in 2009 with 98 catches that were good for a 13.7 average, and he also returned 20 punts and finished with a 13.8 average. Benn is another team captain who led the Illini in receiving in each of the past three seasons, and he also eats no red meat or fried foods.


Thomas broke up 17 passes as a redshirt freshman in 2008 to set a school record in that category, and then in 2009 as a redshirt sophomore he had eight interceptions, two of which he returned for touchdowns.

On April 8, the Steelers visited with guard Mike Iupati, 6-5, 331, from Idaho; and center Maurkice Pouncey, 6-4, 301, from Florida. The defensive linemen were Clifton Geathers, 6-7, 299, from South Carolina and Linval Joseph, 6-4, 328, from East Carolina. Also making a visit was wide receiver Carlton Mitchell, 6-3, 215, from South Florida; and tight end Rob Gronkowski, 6-6, 264, from Arizona.


So far, the Steelers have had 28 players in for visits – six offensive linemen, six wide receivers, five linebackers, three cornerbacks, three defensive lineman, three safeties, one running back and one tight end.


On April 7, the team visited with wide receivers were Dez Bryant, 6-2, 225, from Oklahoma State, and Golden Tate, 5-10, 199, from Notre Dame; running back LeGarrette Blount, 6-0, 241, from Oregon; and linebackers Koa Misi, 6-3, 251, from Utah, and Adrian Tracy, 6-3, 248, from William & Mary.


On April 6, the Steelers entertained offensive lineman Bryan Bulaga, 6-5, 315, from Iowa. Bulaga is considered a first-round talent in the upcoming draft.


The Steelers ended their first week of pre-draft visits on Thursday, April 1 by meeting with defensive back Brandon Ghee, 6-0, 192, from Wake Forest; and linebacker Eric Norwood, 6-1, 245, from South Carolina.


On March 31, the Steelers brought in cornerback Nolan Carroll, 6-0, 200, from Maryland; cornerback Kareem Jackson, 5-11, 190, from Alabama; cornerback Kyle Wilson, 5-10, 190, from Boise State; wide receiver Joe Webb, 6-3, 223, from Alabama-Birmingham; and linebacker Albert McClellan, 6-1, 247, from Marshall.


On March 30, it was guard Jacques McClendon, 6-3, 324, from Tennessee; and tackle Rodger Saffold, 6-5, 315, from Indiana.


On March 29, the Steelers visited with defensive lineman Michael Neal, 6-3, 294, from Purdue; guard Chris DeGeare, 6-4, 325, from Wake Forest; safety Darrell Stuckey, 6-0, 205, from Kansas; and linebacker Navorro Bowman, 6-2, 242, from Penn State