Steelers Draft Needs for this season

Hard to predict what a Super Bowl winning team needs to maintain it’s dominance. Steelers were number 1 ranked Defense in the NFL – there is usually only one way to go from here & that is down. As long as we keep replenishing the Defensive ranks with standouts who after 1 or 2 years of developing can come in & start – I don’t think we’ll have a problem here. 2 key players they have to retain are cornerback Bryant McFadden & Office tackle Max Starks. Steelers placing the non-exclusive franchise tag on Starks takes care of one of the needs, who is a powerful type of tackle suited well for a power run game. McFadden plays well in the Steeler schemes at Corner, he hits hard, covers quite a bit of ground & more importantly can make plays. We need to resign him.

On offense last year’s picks didn’t play well their 1^st year. WR Limas Sweed needs to pick up his game (missed a huge open TD catch against the Ravens - lack of concentration) if he wants to play more & take some snaps from aging Hines Ward. Rashard Mendenhall (injured most of last year) should continue to develop - & lessen the work load of Willie Parker who seems to be breaking down quite a bit lately. I would be shocked if they took a RB or WR high.

I think they will probably draft an O-Lineman in the 1^st round, for future years not necessarily this upcoming year. Their current O-Line of Colon, Starks, Hartwig, Kemo & Stapleton are very very young & will continue to improve their game as they play more together & have continuity. Also, a need to draft on the D-Line as their studs there are aging a bit & need to find a suitable replacement in a few more years (Aaron Smith & Casey Hampton). Our linebacker positions seem to be set for a long time with the emergence of Lawrence Timmons and LaMarr Woodley, oh & yes the reigning NFL Defensive player of the year James Harrison.

Let’s hope Steeler brass can continue to make great picks in middle 2-4 rounds. Being champs, doesn’t allow for many high round picks – but that hasn’t prevented the Steelers from finding diamonds in the rough.

below Limas Sweed, who didn’t play so well for the Steelers last year as a rookied WR. His most memorable play (positive one) was the below block he had against the Ravens in the AFC championship game.

below LaMarr Woodley who in his 3rd year emerged as a playmaker for the Steelers, stripping the ball from Kurt Warner & sealing the Steelers 27-23 Super Bowl 43 victory against the Cardinals<!– /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:”"; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:”Times New Roman”; mso-fareast-font-family:”Times New Roman”;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} –>