Let's put all the individual player pimping aside for a minute and try to take a position by position look at exactly how crucial the need for top talent infusion is at each position.

The Overall Need is on a 10 point scale and represents how essential I feel it is to pick a player at this position in one of the first 2 rounds this year.



DE (Under contract through) Age
Aaron Smith (2011) 33
Ziggy Hood (2013) 23
Brett Keisel (2013) 31
Rashon Harris (2010) 23


Hood should be a future starter, Harris likely wont be expected to be anything more than a rotational player. It would be foolish to expect Aaron Smith to be a starter anymore after the potential lockout season in 2011. At that point, Keisel very well could be on his last legs too being 33 years old then. A future starter is needed to pair with Hood, but it can wait until next year if the value isn't there. If the value is right, then the pick should be made because it has been said DE in this 3-4 defense is one of the harder positions to adjust to and I don't want to see the team stuck using a player who isn't ready to play. Groom someone now if you have to, but have them ready to step in because the DE is that important.

Overall Need - 5



NT
Casey Hampton (2013?) 32
Chris Hoke (2010) 33


Steve McClendon? He could be the next Chris Hoke if he takes the needed steps forward. The coaches seemed to really like him last year as an UDFA. I haven't seen any word on him being on the roster this year though. Even if he is, he will never be the go-to NT for this team. Casey Hampton can be the needed run clogger until at least 2012. Much the same as DE, a top NT is needed soon but is not absolutely essential to pick this year. It's less necessary than DE in that only one is needed and two capable guys should be around for 2 or 3 more years.

Overall Need - 3




How would you all rate the need at these positions as far as picking them in the first two rounds this year?


[url="http://www.steelers.com/team/roster.html"]http://www.steelers.com/team/roster.html[/url]

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