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| Michael Milliron. 26th April, 2007 - 12:47 pm
 The Pittsburgh Steelers find themselves in a new world, or at least a change in body - sans the jaw of former Head Coach Bill Cowher, as they approach and prepare for the 2007 NFL Draft. Cowher has had a hand in every Steeler draft since 1992 and the final say on personnel since winning his power struggle with former Director of Football Operations Tom Donahoe in 2000. Now, with Cowher’s resignation current Director of Football Operations Kevin Colbert will have final say in the draft, with new, first year Head Coach Mike Tomlin having significant input. It is a formula that has been very successful for the Steelers for years, but now is slightly reversed with Colbert in command.
This year’s draft will have Colbert’s signature on it more than any other in the seven years he has been back in his hometown, running the personnel department for his hometown team. The Steelers are coming off of a tumultuous 8 – 8 season, in which they failed to even make the playoffs in their attempt to defend their Super Bowl Championship. The 2006 draft was lackluster, as only five of their nine picks made the team. Granted, they had a roster that was coming off of a title, but that does not mean as much as it once did. In the era of the salary cap and free agency significant off-season movement by teams and players is commonplace, creating room for young players. A team like the Steelers that builds through the draft and does little in free agency, except for resigning their own players, must make every pick count.
Cowher uncharacteristically took time off after the Super Bowl, when he normally would have been preparing for the draft, according to The Pittsburgh Post – Gazette’s Ed Bouchette. Perhaps that impacted the Steeler draft and its inability to help the team defend the title, let alone a lot of the picks not even making the team. Certainly, the addition of big play wide receiver Santonio Holmes who improved throughout the year and capped off the Steeler season with a winning touchdown catch in overtime at Cincinnati, was a nice addition for the offense and QB Ben Roethlisberger.
Having moved up to get Holmes, the Steelers did not have a second round draft choice. Third round free safety Anthony Smith has promise and should compete for a starting job this year. Wide receiver Willie Reid and offensive lineman Willie Colon made the team, but were deemed by many as reaches, as third and fourth round picks, respectively. The only other rookie to make the team was sixth rounder Marvin Philip, who may be able to contribute at center with the retirement of Pro Bowler Jeff Hartings.
Colbert will have nine picks again this year barring any trades throughout the draft, as the Steelers have two compensatory picks the fourth and fifth rounds. While the Steelers have no glaring needs, linebacker will likely get a lot of consideration since the release of Joey Porter. The Steelers have been their usual active selves in free agency having only added interior offensive lineman Sean Mahan and journeyman defensive lineman Nick Eason.
While not having dire needs at any positions, the draft evaluations for the Steelers could be daunting as the team may be in a philosophical flux. Tomlin is a defensive coach and a Tampa Cover Two guru. How long the Steelers stay in a primarily 3-4 defense is anybody’s guess.
There is even speculation that defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau may retire after this coming season, but the Steelers are believed to be committed to the 3-4 for 2007. A potential switch to the 4-3 or even just mixing it into their scheme would radically change how the Steelers evaluate and draft defensive front seven personnel. New offensive coordinator Bruce Arians is said to be looking at having the Steelers in three and four wide receiver sets more during early downs and adding more outside speed offensively would be paramount.
Regardless of how the personnel are strategically deployed, the defense has to get back to being a nasty unit that intimidates the opposition and makes big plays. That said, the pass rush has to improve, so the Steelers will be on the lookout for speedy, impact defenders in the early rounds of the 2007 draft. Here is a fantasy football draft for the Steelers this year:
Round 1., pick # 15 – Adam Carriker, DL, Nebraska –
A big, athletic player at over 6-6, 290 lbs., running under a 4.9 forty. He would give the Steelers versatility in being able to play DE in a 3-4 or DT in a 4-3. In the 3-4, he could still slide inside to a rush tackle position in the nickel and dime defenses. Even though the aforementioned versatility is attractive, the fact that he is an active, productive football player in a big time conference is what makes him the most attractive.
Round 2., pick # 46 – LaMarr Woodley, DE / OLB Michigan –
Second in school history with 25 sacks in his Wolverine career. A bit of a ‘tweener, but a playmaker who gets to the QB who was a key cog in one of the nations top defenses over the last couple of years. He may have difficulty playing in space as a 3-4 OLB, but as a situational rush end or 4-3 end, Woodley would be a pass rusher the Steelers sorely need. While somewhat similar to the Alonzo Jackson experiment, Tomlin will make it work this time around.
Round 3. pick # 77 – Quentin Moses, OLB / DE, Georgia –
The Steelers go for yet another pass rusher, who projects better to OLB than Woodley. If the switch to a 4-3 is made, Woodley could play the strong side end position, while Moses plays the weak side. He did not have a strong senior season, but there is no denying his athleticism and pass rush potential - and it is well worth the investment of a third round pick.
Round 4. pick # 119 – Mike Jones, G, Iowa –
Jones is a work in progress, but has upside while still having had a productive career with the Hawkeyes. He has tackle size at about 6-5, 300 lbs. Jones could stand to add some bulk and should be able to do so. Will provide depth in 2007 and be in the mix for a job in 2008 with Alan Faneca and Kendall Simmons possibly being free agent losses.
Round 4. pick # 132 – Cory Anderson, FB, Tennessee –
The Steelers need some new blood at this position. Kreider will be a free agent after the season. Anderson is the best fullback in the draft. He is huge at 270 lbs. while still running a 4.7 forty. With the Steelers running more outside with Parker than Bettis, a faster fullback will be useful in getting out to and sealing the outside lanes. Will contribute immediately on special teams.
Round 5. pick # 156 – Fred Bennett, CB, South Carolina –
Not an elite cover corner, but has the speed to stay with receivers. Has the size the Steelers look for in run support from their corners. Teams are always looking for corners who can contribute and Bennett has nice upside at this point in the draft.
Round 5. pick # 170 – DeShawn Wynn, RB, Florida –
The Steelers need a running back with Duce Staley no longer with the team, the release of Verron Haynes (who may be brought back after the draft), and Najeh Davenport’s injury history. Wynn is not a burner or big play back like Parker, but he can move the pile and has deceptive speed. He has nice vision and gets the most he can out of runs. Wynn can contribute right away carrying the ball for a series or two each half.
Round 6. pick # 192 - Ryan Moore, WR, Miami (Fla.) –
He has had some discipline and off-field issues with the Hurricanes which means he is an unlikely Steeler pick. Although, there is no denying his physical credentials at nearly 6-4, 214 lbs. while running in the 4.5s. Moore does not have the production you would like to see in college, but Miami has been down, particularly at QB, making the evaluation process more difficult. However, he could easily be the Marques Colston of 2007 with his size and athleticism. The Steelers need a bigger receiver to feature in some of their sets, especially in the red zone. Moore is a late round bargain who again can contribute right away in certain situations.
Round 7. pick # 227 – Jason Capizzi, OT, IUP –
Former Pitt lineman who transferred to IUP. Has great size at nearly 6-9, 320 lbs. While Capizzi is far from a finished product coming from the Division II level, he is a project the Steelers could work on as a practice squad lineman. Capizzi would be in the mix for a roster spot in 2008 with Max Starks possibly leaving via free agency.
While the Steeler draft may not go exactly as laid out here, Colbert and Co. are likely to add some talented players to the mix as the Steelers are one of the best drafting teams in the NFL. Tomlin’s coaching will be the beneficiary of that. It will be interesting to see where they go with some of their picks due to some of the organizational and potential philosophical changes. Regardless, this Saturday, Steeler Nation will be saying, “Here we go…” |
