2 round mock has us taking a CB in the first

[Steelerdipwad]

I could live with that as long as the next 2 picks are o-line.

http://draftboardinsider.com/?cat=3

[Finnegans Wake]

I gotta re-up my NFL Draft Scout subscription (still think they're the best draft site), but IIRC Unger is scratching around that R1/R2 cusp, based on his ability to play all along the line, and the Wake corner is early to late R2. 

[vinman3]

If we address our glaring OL problems in FA, then ok. But neglecting that another year is a problem IMO.

[Preacherman0]

If we address our glaring OL problems in FA, then ok. But neglecting that another year is a problem IMO.

You could have the understatement of the year right there, vinman.

I do not see us waiting unless there is just absolutely no value at OL, and I'll refer to the decision not to draft Sam Baker last year.  I know that the talk was that he was a reach where we drafted; however, the way he played in ATL, I think we should have made that reach.

[Finnegans Wake]

OK, NFLDS has Smith rated as 26th best overall.  So, in terms of value, fine and all.  But in terms of need, we can really solidify this group by re-signing B-Mac, developing Gay, etc. 

Unger is listed as 41st overall, so probably not going to be there R2.  If he was a pure center, I might say we'd say a possible "center drop," which we see every year concurrent with CBs rising on the heels of 40 times, but he is versatile enough to play all along the line.  Could be a late R1 guy, even.

Just going by 1.32 and 2.64 as our slots, then trawling +/-5 spots, returns some interesting candidates:

27. Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU.  Could be a great talent at end in the 3-4, with Smith and Keisel getting up there and no depth to speak of.

28. Eben Britton, OT, AZ.  Might be better suited to a ZBS, and needs to bulk a bit, but could certainly be a LT of the future, and a RT of the present.

30. William Beatty, OT, Conn.  Rising fast.  Great feet, nice height, but is a bit skinny for 2009. 

33. Alex Mack, C, Cal.  Squatty and powerful, best in a good crop of Cs, really getting talked up as the best center in a long time.  Hartwig has done well, but he's not the long term answer.

61. Phil Loadholt, RT, OK.  Actually thought he moved pretty well in the Champeenship game, but will be a RT in the pros.  Would be a HUGE upgrade to Colon.  Imagine the power running game going to the right with Colon/Staples at RG and The Load at RT.

63. William Moore, FS, Miss.  NFLDS compares him to Adrian Wilson; sold.

65. Jonathan Luigs, C, Ark.  Another in a great class of centers.

67. Kraig Urbik, OG, Wisc.  Just a massive dude, 6'6" 323#, can play OG and RT.  I like that.

[aj_law]

R1 = OL or DL.

EOS.

[Finnegans Wake]

R1 = OL or DL.

EOS.

I agree.  If they do go plum wacky and draft a DB, they need to have R3-5 featuring some killer sleeper rook, but hey, you're preaching to the choir.

Hell, even Tomlin wasn't praising the "new and improved OL" to the media in Tampa.  Dat tells me sumpin.

[Preacherman0]

If we draft a center, is Hartwig good enough to take a guard spot?  Can't be much worse than Simmons for sure.

Center is not our greatest need, but it would be nice to have someone in the Mansfield/Webster/Dawson/Hartings heritage to take the spot for the future. 

[Brinker]

Brinker---pees into Dipwads Cheerios



I just hope that we can hear the folllowing

"With the 32nd pick in the 2009 NFL draft The Pittsburgh Steelers select..."


 

Brinker

[Steelerdipwad]

Brinker---pees into Dipwads Cheerios
Brinker

Ewwww

Agree that it really don't matter as long as we're pickin' 32nd.

[LambertsFrontTeeth]

Well, since we are ...

                        OFFICIALLY 

picking 32nd....


After last night's game, I've revised my belief that we should address both OL and DL in the first 2 rounds. And scrap any value-at-DB in round 1. Those turds on the OL could not manage (AGAIN) to get us in the end-zone on short and goal twice. That made the game much, much closer than it needed to be. Having better depth at tackle and guard may convince BA's replacement to remove Spaeth from those dreaded 3 TE formations. He can't block for shit.

I think we just draft the best 3 OL on the board with our first 3 picks. I don't think one single starter on that line should feel safe in this current offseason. I'd be happy if we could replace them all.

That being said, don't want to seem too negative. WAY TO GO STEELERS!!! 

[jonzr]

Agreed.  Draft OL early and often.

[DCSteelers]

I could see a 1st round CB if McFadden is not resigned.  William Gay taking over the starting duties for 2009.

If Nate is not resigned, they'll have to figure out what to do w/WR.  Hines/Santonio/Sweed ..?

Otherwise, OL/DL for the first 3 rounds.

On the D side, Eason and Hoke will make suitable backups for another year at least, giving enough time to groom these picks for 2010.  They're going to have to make a decision on what to do for nose guard in this years draft.  I don't know, and leaning against the team re-upping Snacks. 2010 would be his 10th year.

OL is another mystery and somethings will be answered in FA- they have to be.  We know that Hartwig, Stapleton, Simmons, and Colon will indeed be back with Legursky in the mix too.  I favor the solution of re-upping Hartwig, moving Colon to a guard spot, re-upping Max to go back to RT, and drafting or Signing a franchise LT.  We're stuck with Simmons as a guard starter any way you slice it.

[Steelerdipwad]

They're going to have to make a decision on what to do for nose guard in this years draft.  I don't know, and leaning against the team re-upping Snacks. 2010 would be his 10th year.

I see a lot of people saying the same thing. I don't see it that way. NT is not a position where players just decline rapidly when they reach his age. Since the big boys can still be effective when they get a little older and a little bigger, he could be playing at just about his current efectiveness level for the next five years. Look at Rodgers. And guys with his skill set don't hit the market that often. I'd go out of my way to sign him to another five years.

[Finnegans Wake]

They're going to have to make a decision on what to do for nose guard in this years draft.  I don't know, and leaning against the team re-upping Snacks. 2010 would be his 10th year.

I see a lot of people saying the same thing. I don't see it that way. NT is not a position where players just decline rapidly when they reach his age. Since the big boys can still be effective when they get a little older and a little bigger, he could be playing at just about his current efectiveness level for the next five years. Look at Rodgers. And guys with his skill set don't hit the market that often. I'd go out of my way to sign him to another five years.

I think they'll do a short-termer, convert some cap to bonus and tack on a couple of years.  Unfortunately, I think Snacks's play has not been as crisp the last couple of years, unless someone pisses him off.  He's gotten handled by single teams more often, and I see him getting tossed aside in the slop like he never did before.  IMO, the conditioning showdown with Tomlin wasn't all for show.  And Hokie had a nice fill-in when Hamp was injured, but that was a while ago now, and I wonder if he'd be all that effective if called on for a major stint.

Put it this way, in addition to Hamp (will be 32) and Hokie (will be 33), why did we bother keeping Scott Paxson as a #3 NT, if there wasn't some concern?

I'd like to see us draft a DE in R1-3, with Smith (will be 33) and Keisel (will be 31) both having had injuries the past two years, and depth/youth an ongoing question.  In fact, I think we could upgrade Keisel some.  Then, maybe around R4 or later, add a small-school NT, at the very least to push the depth issue, and perhaps see if he can develop into a starter and anchor the line in a couple of years.  And since we'll have an extra R7, I'd throw in a late project DE as well, just for kicks.