News: Draft

We are on the eve of the draft once again. Its that time of the year when every fan of every team has the same hope; for your team to fix its problems. The internet has been flooded with predictions and analysis for months now and yet none of us are tired of it. So, here we are, the members of SteelerNation, waiting to see who our front office will pick to be the next young stars of our franchise; and ready to complain when its not what we want individually.

I've went back and forth for the last few weeks, really thinking about who they could logically take. While I'm not a mind reader and like everyone else I'll just be making assumptions based on knowledge that I, a non-professional executive would make. But here goes anyway.

Contrary to the popular belief I don't think the Steelers will take a corner in the first round. There are plenty of solid corners but its just not the Steelers style. From the 90s to present day we haven't had many elite corners. Their corners looked good because our pass rush was amazing. Last year Butler returned the sacks we've lacked for years increasing from 33 to 48. Hell, interceptions were up from 11 to 17. Stats aside the Steelers have confidence that Gay, Cockrell, Golson and even Grant can hold the fort down; why rebuild when three of the four will be in only their second season as Steelers?

I truly think the Steelers will grab a defensive lineman to finish securing the pass rush. Tuitt and Heyward can't do it all and a premier defensive lineman could fix that. I think Noah Spence will be off the board but Bullard (Florida), Reed (Alabama) and Nkemdiche (Ole Miss) could still be available and I think they will jump at a top notch versatile defensive lineman.

In the second through fourth rounds is where you will see some defensive backs. Keep your eyes on DJ White out of Georgia Tech and Jeremy Cash out of Duke. I also would expect some depth here either at receiver or tight end.

Heading into the final three picks is where you make your money. Excluding last year's class the Steelers have drafted 15 players in the final two rounds over the last five years and just about half of them have spent time with the Steelers and played. I expect another pass rusher, it wouldn't be a Steelers draft without a few, a quarterback prospect and depth at another position whether its offensive line or defensive backs.

It won't be pretty, it never is. But it will be a Steeler draft and hopefully what we need to get that seventh ring.