Pre-Draft Press Conference

[phillyesq]

From twitter reports from various beat writers, Colbert and Tomlin addressed the following at their press conference today:

- Draft has best numbers at WR and CB
- Worst positions are FB, TE, C and S
- Steelers have narrowed their board to about 150 players
- No "needs" in the draft, only "wants"
- Few players who could step in and help immediately
- Not many sure fire players this year -- lots of uncertainty after top 7 - 10
- Some visits may have been a smoke screen
- Not worried about Wallace, will not impact draft preparation/strategy
- Kirby Wilson will be with the team during the draft

As expected, not much in the way of real information.

[RuthlessBurgher]

I'm hoping that the team has David DeCastro among those top 7-10 "sure-fire" players, and if he surprisingly falls within reasonable striking distance (since teams don't put a premium on a position like guard), the team does what is necessary to move up to get a "sure-fire" player in a draft without many of them.

[SteelBucks]

I'm hoping that the team has David DeCastro among those top 7-10 "sure-fire" players, and if he surprisingly falls within reasonable striking distance (since teams don't put a premium on a position like guard), the team does what is necessary to move up to get a "sure-fire" player in a draft without many of them.

I agree. Kiper has DeCastro going to the Bengals at #21. I'd be more than tempted to move up four spots to grab him.

My nightmare is the team has Hightower in the "sure fire" category. I'm not high on the guy at all but what do I know?

[Oviedo]

I agree. Kiper has DeCastro going to the Bengals at #21. I'd be more than tempted to move up four spots to grab him.

My nightmare is the team has Hightower in the "sure fire" category. I'm not high on the guy at all but what do I know?

I totally agree on both DeCastro and Hightower. I really don't think it will be Hightower and would be disappointed if we default to defense yet again.

[steelblood]

Why only have a draft board of 150 players? We have 4 7th round picks and then need to find some UDFAs. That just seems short sighted.

[focosteeler]

Why only have a draft board of 150 players? We have 4 7th round picks and then need to find some UDFAs. That just seems short sighted.

I am positive they have guys who don't fit the system, have questionable character, injuries, positions that are not a need etc. not on their board. There are a lot guys with those issues in the draft. They most likely have guys rated all the way to FA status on their board. I believe that Colbert is more intelligent than only having a board with guys through the 5th round

[phillyesq]

I am positive they have guys who don't fit the system, have questionable character, injuries, positions that are not a need etc. not on their board. There are a lot guys with those issues in the draft. They most likely have guys rated all the way to FA status on their board. I believe that Colbert is more intelligent than only having a board with guys through the 5th round

Exactly. I seem to remember that Colbert makes a similar statement about narrowing the board to 150-200 players almost annually.

[Oviedo]

I am positive they have guys who don't fit the system, have questionable character, injuries, positions that are not a need etc. not on their board. There are a lot guys with those issues in the draft. They most likely have guys rated all the way to FA status on their board. I believe that Colbert is more intelligent than only having a board with guys through the 5th round

You still have one of the best Mocks this year.

[Sugar]

I like the "no needs, just wants" position. It means to me that they aren't going to be reaching for anything.

[focosteeler]

You still have one of the best Mocks this year.

Thank you sir!

[pfelix73]

Nope. Sorry. Don't like your mock, and to be honest it isn't even realistic. Good effort putting one together though. The Cowboys are mentioned to be wanting Barron from Alabama, so why on Earth would they want to trade out of it? I do however like the 4th round pick in Lucas Nix. That's about it.

[steelerkeylargo]

Why only have a draft board of 150 players? We have 4 7th round picks and then need to find some UDFAs. That just seems short sighted.

This does not mean that they are the top 150 players in the draft. Many of that 150 will be 7th round guys. The team will not have players like Luck and RG3 on their board. Trust me....they will still have names on their list on Sunday.

[hawaiiansteel]

Steelers Prepare For Thursday’s NFL Draft

April 23, 2012 6:30 PM





PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — The Steelers have depth issues at a variety of positions.

They can use help on the offensive line, at inside linebacker and in the defensive backfield. Potentially running back as well.

So the draft board is wide open, and one of the things the Steelers do better than just about every team is they don’t miss on their first-round draft pick.

Every first-round pick since 2000 has either starred or contributed in Pittsburgh.

“You can’t miss on (picks) one, two or three,” Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert said. “Those are premium picks. You shouldn’t miss on a first-rounder. To me, that’s a given.

“The twos and threes, if you miss on one of those it sets you back. You better hope you got lucky in the later rounds to compensate for that.”

The Steelers have done a lot of preparation for this draft. The evaluation process goes deep and includes character, talent and a winning history.

“I think that winning is valuable, but not only in the highest level — in terms of guys from Alabama or LSU — but also guys from North Dakota State,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. “Guys that have won, regardless of where they’ve played, I believe that winning is contagious, I believe there’s a certain mind set that’s associated with winning, whether they’re at the 1-A level or the 1-AA level or Division II level.

“If they come from a successful high school program, I believe there’s intrinsic value in winning.”

Pittsburgh typically doesn’t trade up or down, but on occasion they have – when guys like Troy Polamalu become available.

That will remain an option.

[URL]http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2012/04/23/steelers-prepare-for-thursdays-nfl-draft/[/URL]

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

This does not mean that they are the top 150 players in the draft. Many of that 150 will be 7th round guys. The team will not have players like Luck and RG3 on their board. Trust me....they will still have names on their list on Sunday.

So let me get this straight SKL......you do not expect a Steelers rep to walk up to the podium holding a sheet of paper with 150 names crossed off and saying "sorry guys, we are forfeiting this pick. We have nobody left on our list"?

[steelerkeylargo]

So let me get this straight SKL......you do not expect a Steelers rep to walk up to the podium holding a sheet of paper with 150 names crossed off and saying "sorry guys, we are forfeiting this pick. We have nobody left on our list"?

correct!!!!!!!!!!!!