Draft Day Approaching will the Steelers Move Up?
The Steelers are set to pick 32nd in the NFL Draft on Saturday, what most call the Champions Pick. My thoughts are they will try to trade some of their 10 picks to move up in the early rounds. If you’ve been following the Steelers for years, you know that they have a very strong scouting and ‘war room’ staff. Some current Steelers that come to mind that were picked in the draft with lower picks, Troy Polamalu, Alan Faneca, and Kendall Simmons.
I would love to see them trade up for a high Second and Third Round pick, this is usually where we end up picking up some great talent. Because the Steelers don’t feel pressure to fill any starting jobs in the draft, coach Cowher said quarterback is the only position being ruled out for their first-round pick. While they lost starters Antwaan Randle El, Chris Hope and Kimo von Oelhoffen to free agency, they already have replacements in place – wide receiver Cedrick Wilson for Randle El, safety Ryan Clark for Hope and Brett Keisel for von Oelhoffen. Wilson and Keisel were already with them and Clark was signed away from the Redskins.
The Steelers do need defensive backs, as they have only three safeties under contract. Because they own so many picks, they expect to draft a safety and cornerback even if they package one or two picks to move up in the first or second round.
If they do try to move up in the first round, it might be to get a wide receiver such as Florida’s Chad Jackson.
Should they choose to stay at No. 32, perhaps looking to get Notre Dame receiver Maurice Stovall in the second round, players who might be available include Tennessee defensive back Jason Allen, Ohio State centre Nick Mangold, Miami receiver Sinorice Rice, North Carolina State linebacker Manny Lawson and Ohio State linebacker Bobby Carpenter.
And what if running back LenDale White of Southern Cal winds up dropping to No. 32? After all, the Steelers have had considerable success with big running backs – Jerome Bettis and Franco Harris among them – and with Southern Cal players (Polamalu, Lynn Swann).
“Jerome Bettis was a big part of what this team has done over the course of his career,” Colbert said. “Losing him from the field is one thing, and then losing him in the locker-room is another thing. That is a big loss. Whether we are going to be able to address it or not, we will see as it goes.”
Written by Pat Lovell - The Steeler FanaticPat has been following the Pittsburgh Steelers for over 30 years and is known worldwide as "The Steeler Fanatic". If you are interested in contributing to this website or would like Pat to contribute to your Blog, Website or Publication, Click Here.
