Originally Posted by
Chadman
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
Team Needs: Offensive Line, Cornerback, Safety, Nose Tackle, Outside Linebacker. To look under the microscope go here [url="http://www.draftseason.com/2010-nfl-draft-team-needs/pittsburgh-steelers-nfl-draft-team-needs/"]http://www.draftseason.com/2010-nfl-dra ... eam-needs/[/url]
Offseason Acquistions: WR Arnaz Battle, WR Antwaan Randle El, S Ryan Clark (resigned) S Will Allen, LB Larry Foote, LB Bryan Scott, OT Jonathan Scott
Offseason Losses: None
Potential Draft Targets:
Round 1: G Mike Iupati, C/G, Maurkice Pouncey, CB Kyle Wilson, CB Devin McCourty, S Earl Thomas, OT Anthony Davis, OLB Sergio Kindle
Round 2: CB Patrick Robinson, CB Kareem Jackson, CB Perrish Cox, NT Cam Thomas, G Vladimir Ducasse, OLB Ricky Sapp, OLB Navorro Bowman, OLB Thaddeus Gibson
Round 3: G John Jerry, G Zane Beadles, NT Torell Troup, S Morgan Burnett, S TJ Ward, S Major Wright
Plan of Attack: With the 18th selection in the draft the Steelers are expected to upgrade the interior of their offensive line. The two guys they’ll be looking at will be Idaho’s Mike Iupati or Florida’s Maurkice Pouncey. Iupati is a classic Steeler lineman. He is a tough, nasty run blocker who will restore some physicality to the Steelers ground game. He would be their no. 1 choice, but if they had to settle for Pouncey they wouldn’t be too upset. P0uncey is technically sound and very athletic. He could help out immidiately at center or guard.
In round 2 the Steelers should be looking for help in their secondary with cornerback being the focus. They would love for either FSU’s Patrick Robinson or Alabama’s Kareem Jackson to fall to them but that may not happen. A guy they could go with would be Oklahoma St.’s Perrish Cox. Cox has a few character concerns but he is nearly 6 feet tall and has blazing speed, which he could use to improve the Steelers return game.
In round 3 the Steelers may go defensive secondary again, this time looking at safeties. When Polamalu went out last year this defense lost its swagger. They need to find someone who can step in and be an adequate backup. A couple of real physical guys in Oregon’s TJ Ward or Georgia Tech’s Morgan Burnett could be available and both would look good in black and gold. One position to keep an eye on in round 3 is quarterback. With Ben Roethlisberger’s legal woes and inability to stay out of trouble, the team may be looking for an heir. If they are high on a signal caller like Tony Pike or Dan LeFevour that is a route they could very well go in.
2010 NFL Draft Needs of the Pittsburgh Steelers
Current Depth Chart of the Pittsburgh Steelers
Offensive Line
The Steelers will be looking to improve the interior of their offensive line early in this year’s draft. They want to be more physical running the ball and they want to keep Ben Roethlisberger upright. Idaho’s Mike Iupati would be a great fit in round 1, and they will likely add another offensive lineman sometime in the mid to later rounds as well.
Defensive Secondary
The Steelers need to find some cornerbacks with size. They were beaten through the air way to often in 2009 and will draft a big corner fairly early in this year’s draft. They will also look to add a safety at some point. When Troy Polamalu went down with injury this defense became a shell of itself. They would like to add a big enforcer type of safety and may look at doing so in rounds 3 or 4.
Quarterback
The Steelers are obvously upset with Ben Roethlisberger and how he keeps finding ways to get himself into trouble. They seem to like Dennis Dixon but may look for a more traditional type of pocket passer to groom for the future. If they do draft a quarterback and how soon will really show how they feel about Big Ben and whether or not they want him to continue to be the face of their franchise.
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