C Maurkice Pouncey

After a disappointing 2009 season that saw the Steelers start 6-2 only to hit a franchise-long five game losing streak and miss the playoffs, the team was looking to have an impact draft to fill their roster with young studs on both sides of the ball in the 2010 draft.  The Steelers would aim to repair their much-maligned offensive line in round one, and then spend the rest of the draft filling depth behind their starters.

NOTE:  With the 2007,2008, and 2009 Draft Reviews, I was able to give an extended history and status of the draft picks based on their careers of 3-5 years in the league.  Now that we are looking at the 2010 and 2011 drafts, the format will be slightly different.  Many of these players have yet to be given opportunities to shine, so we will simply list the picks and give an up-to-date review of where they are in terms of their limited careers with a simple single letter grade (A+ to F). – Jeff Snedden

The Steelers had the 18th pick in Round One, and took little time in selecting a new Center to anchor their offensive line.  The Center position has given the Steelers some of their greatest stars in Mike Webster, Dermontti Dawson, and Jeff Hartings.  With their 18th pick in the 2010 Draft, the Steelers went with the best true Center available.

Center Maurkice Pouncey, Florida

Round One – 18th Overall – Maurkice Pouncey – Center– 6’4″ 304 lbs. –Florida

Maurkice Pouncey came into the NFL and immediately established himself as a Pro Bowl center for the Steelers.  Despite suffering injuries that kept him out of Super Bowl XLV and some regular season games, Pouncey has been a legitimate superstar for Pittsburgh.  At 22-years old, we have yet to see the prime years of the Steelers Center and we should expect that – barring injuries – the Steelers have a center who will be dominant and playing in Pro Bowls for years to come.

Pick:  A+

LB Jason Worilds, Virginia Tech

Round Two – 52nd Overall – Jason Worilds – Defensive End/LB – 6’2″ 252 lbs. – Virginia Tech

Worilds came to the Steelers from one of the top defensive units and coaches in college football in Virginia Tech and Frank Beamer.  A traditional linebacker in high school, Worilds played a hybrid defensive end – linebacker position for the Hokies, and did so very successfully.  He also excelled on special teams, sort of a rite of passage for Virginia Tech players.  Worilds started 25 games on defense for V-Tech, recording 133 tackles/15.5 sacks/34.5 stops for losses/75 QB pressures.  He also caused five fumbles, deflected two passes, returned a block punt for a TD, and blocked two field goal attempts in his Hokies career.  Worilds was named to the All-American third team prior to his senior season, as well as All-ACC First Team honors, and was tagged the ACC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year. 

The Steelers, looking for depth behind the starting OLB tandem of James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley, pegged Jason Worilds as the next great Steelers outside linebacker.  Ranked as the second-best defensive end in the draft by CBS Sports, Worilds had all of the qualities the Steelers look for in their hybrid-types.  When he was available at 52nd overall, it took less than ten seconds for the Steelers to select the then-22 year old.

Since coming into the league, Worilds has established himself as a premier piece of the Steelers future.  Last season, when LaMarr Woodley went down with an injury prior to the Steelers November 6th game vs. Baltimore, it was Worilds making his first NFL start to replace him.  After seeing time in 14 games his rookie season, the second year player showed he was ready to take the reins in 2011.  He started seven games in place of Woodley, tallying 38 total tackles and 3.0 sacks, as well as forcing a fumble in a 12/28 game vs. the Cleveland Browns.  Even while starting on defense, Worilds was still utilized on special teams, making bone-shaking tackles on returners. 

With James Harrison entering the 2012 season at 33-years old, Worilds would seem to be the next in line to carry on the great tradition of outside linebackers in Pittsburgh.  The retirement of Aaron Smith and release of James Farrior has opened up leadership roles inside the Steelers locker room, and Worilds – in his third season – could eventually be one of the new leaders of the vaunted Steelers defense.  This pick would be graded A+ if not for the minor trouble Worilds has had with learning the Steelers playbook, resulting in a few out-of-position type plays.  The lockout prior to last season took away valuable time and experience for younger players, and with a full offseason of workouts and coaching, Worilds should be ready to be a major player in 2012.

Draft Grade: A-

WR Emmanuel Sanders, SMU

Round Three – 82nd Overall – Emmanuel Sanders – Wide Receiver – 5’11″ 186 lbs. – Southern Methodist University

With Limas Sweed a dismal failure and all-time great Hines Ward entering the twilight of his career, the Steelers felt the need to build their receiving core in the 2010 draft, starting by selecting Sanders, the all-time leader in every receiving category for the SMU Mustangs football program.  After redshirting his first season (2005), Sanders stepped right into the Mustangs starting lineup as a redshirt freshman in 2006.  By the end of 2006, he was named to the Sporting News All-American team as a wide receiver and kick returner, and was voted onto the All-Freshman Conference USA team at both slots.  Finished his SMU career as the all-time leader in touchdowns (27), set a new SMU record with six 100-yard receiving games, became the first player in SMU history with three straight 600-yard receiving seasons, and was honored by practically every college football publication as one of the top 20 WR in the country entering the 2010 Draft.

Sanders joined fellow 2010 draft pick Antonio Brown and already-established Steelers receiver Mike Wallace as the “Young Money” trio.  His rookie season saw him in action in 13 games at WR and on special teams, starting one game.  He posted 28 receptions for 376 yards and two touchdowns.  He also contributed 628 kick return yards and averaged 25.1 yards per return.  His 2011 season was riddled by injuries and the tragic loss of his mother.  Despite missing five weeks due to those issues, he was still able to contribute to a Steelers passing game that continued to improve.  He posted 22 receptions for 288 yards and two touchdowns, and continued to play a part in both punt and kick returns.

While it remains to be seen if the return game is in Sanders future, he will undoubtedly be a major part of a newly-constructed Steelers receiving core.  A prototypical slot-type receiver, it is not hard to imagine Sanders as the designated #3 receiver, lining up in the slot while Wallace and Brown buzz the sidelines – and giving the Steelers one of the best receiving situations in the entire NFL.  While Sanders has not been a “game breaker” so to speak, he was drafted to fill the role he currently is slotted for.  Furthermore, Sanders has been a major contributor to the Steelers community outreach programs, becoming one of the most requested Steelers at charity functions.  His friendly demeanor and desire to spend time with his fans has endeared him to the fan base.  Overall, Sanders has had some setbacks in his career with injuries so it is hard to grade this as anything higher than a B on the grade scale.

Draft Grade:  B

DE/LB Thaddeus Gibson, Ohio State

Round Four – 116th Overall – Thaddeus Gibson – Defensive End – 6’2″ 243 lbs. – Ohio State

Gibson was a heralded star at Ohio State during his Buckeye years of 2007-2009.  He was redshirted in 2006 after being considered one of the top defensive players in the nation coming out of Euclid High School in Euclid, Ohio.

Drafted as a project player to be groomed at linebacker, the Steelers brought Gibson into camp and were impressed with the rookie so much that he was granted a roster spot to begin 2010.  After injuries decimated the Steelers defensive line, the team needed to open up a roster spot for practice squad DL Steve McClendon.  They released Gibson to the waiver wire on November 3, hoping that he would be able to be re-signed after the New Orleans game when roster flexibility would allow so.  The San Fransisco 49ers – in need of linebackers due to injuries – snaked Gibson from waivers and rostered him.

Since that time, Gibson has bounced around to five different teams, mostly on practice squads.  The 49ers waived Gibson after the 2010 season, giving the Steelers a chance to bring the 6’2″ 243 lb. linebacker back into the fold.  He was claimed by the Washington Redskins, spent time on their practice squad and in the same role with the Houston Texans before landing in Chicago, where he is now on the active roster for the Bears.

The case with Thaddeus Gibson was essentially a numbers game.  The Steelers were in dire need of another defensive lineman and had no choice but to try and slide Gibson through waivers.  The team was high on the rookie, and figured him to be a future contributor at linebacker.  In a heated race for the AFC North title, the team took a chance and it simply didn’t work out.  Don’t be surprised if Gibson finds a home in Chicago, and becomes a backup to the Bears impressive linebacker core.  The talent is there, he just needs the opportunity.

Obviously, Kevin Colbert and Mike Tomlin saw enough in Thaddeus Gibson to draft him and then saw enough of him on the field to use a 53-man roster spot on him.  However, the team misjudged the waiver wire and took the responsibility for losing Gibson.  All in all, this is a pick that didn’t work out and can be considered nothing but a complete failure as a fourth round pick.  The team avoids an F grade here based on the obvious talent the player showed in the 2010 preseason.

Draft Grade:  D-

G Chris Scott, Tennessee

Round Five – 151st Overall – Chris Scott – Offensive Guard – 6’4″ 319 lbs. – Tennessee

The Steelers obsession with mid-round offensive linemen continued with the pick of Chris Scott from Tennessee in round five.

Scott played in two games in 2011, looking woefully outmatched at times.  He remains on the Steelers roster and will be brought into camp to see if he can win a backup job on the interior offensive line.

With so little information to go off of, this draft pick is being ruled incomplete.  With the exception of studs like Pouncey and Joe Thomas, Offensive lineman can take a few years to develop, and with new offensive coordinator Todd Haley coming in this season, there will be a significant change in both blocking philosophy and technique.  The Steelers are hoping that eventually Scott can become the primary backup to both right tackle and guard.

Draft Grade: INCOMPLETE

CB Crezdon Butler, Clemson

Round Five – 164th Overall –Crezdon Butler – Cornerback – 6’0″ 183 lbs. – Clemson

In their eternal search for secondary depth, the Steelers drafted impressive cornerback Crezdon Butler from Clemson with their second of three fifth round picks.

Butler had the size (6 foot) and the speed (4.43 40-yard dash) to be a man coverage corner in the NFL.  He was pegged as a possible first-round pick prior to his senior season at Clemson, and then proceeded to have his worst college season in 2009, dropping him into late round – potential free agent territory.  With 11 career interceptions to go along with 174 tackles and two forced fumbles, Butler seemed to have a solid – if not spectacular – stint at Clemson playing against some of the best wide receivers in the country in the ACC (Calvin Johnson, Hakeem Nicks to name a few).  His statistics fell off his senior season mainly because teams stopped throwing his way.  When his draft stock fell, the Steelers still had him on their board as a possible third-round pick.  They were able to get him at 164th overall, a serious indication of issues for the young player to still be on the board at that point.

Butler played in eight games as a rookie for the Steelers, and seemed to have a bright future in Pittsburgh.  During the 2011 preseason in a game against Atlanta at Heinz Field, Butler intercepted a pass and ran it back 95 yards for a touchdown – seemingly sealing his fate on the 53-man roster.  The drafting of two cornerbacks in 2011 became the death knell for Butler in the Steel City.  He was released during the final round of preseason cuts in September 2011.  Naturally, he found a home in Arizona – where any and all ex-Steelers are welcomed with a ticker-tape parade and dancing girls – and landed on the Injured Reserve list for last season.  On a team that just signed CB William Gay to a 3-year deal, has Pro Bowl CB Patrick Peterson locked in at LCB, and is high on second-year player Korey Lindsay and veterans Marshay Green and A.J. Jefferson, Butler is in danger of being a preseason cut if he does not show up healthy and have a dynamite preseason.

Butler may be a case of the Steelers giving up on a player too soon, as he has the size and speed to be a serviceable CB.  The Steelers seem very high on Cortez Allen and Curtis Brown, which is what caused Butler’s release last season.  The team is counting on those players and forth-year man Keenan Lewis to battle it out for the spot left by the departure of Gay.  Should none of those options work out, Butler could well be a player the Steelers regret letting walk.  Overall, this draft pick is middle-of-the-pack in quality.  Butler did play in eight games for the Steelers during an AFC Championship season, and was – in similar fashion to Thaddeus Gibson – a victim of the numbers game.

Draft Grade:  C-

LB Stevenson Sylvester, Utah

Round Five – 166th Overall –Stevenson Sylvester – Linebacker – 6’2″ 230 lbs. – Utah

Forward thinking to the days of when ILB James Farrior and Larry Foote would come to an end, the Steelers chose Sylvester from Utah with the third of their fifth round picks in 2010.

A defensive captain for Utah during his junior and senior seasons, Stevenson Sylvester was a key cog in the Utah defense that helped the Utes to a #2 ranking in 2008 and a 2009 Suger Bowl win over the Alabama Crimson Tide.  Considered by draft publications to be a potential second round pick, his stock slipped after a lackluster senior campaign.  As a run-stopper, few in the country were better than “Sly” during his time at Utah as he racked up 262 total tackles in four seasons, adding 9.0 sacks and 2 interceptions.

After becoming a special teams sensation for the Steelers his first two years in the pros, the opportunity to start at ILB is now there for Sylvester.  He will compete with veteran Foote for the job left behind by the release of long-time defensive captain James Farrior.  While the shoes of Farrior will be hard to fill for anyone, the Steelers coaching staff seems to be very high on Sylvester and we should anticipate his claiming of the job opposite Lawrence Timmons in the middle of a much-younger Steelers defense.  With a motor that never stops – and no lack of self confidence – the Steelers seem to have done very well with this pick.  Sylvester has done everything asked of him on special teams and when he has found his way onto the field for defensive situations, he has played well.  In 2011, he started one game for the team in a key matchup against the New England Patriots and was part of a defensive plan that limited the high-octane Brady Bunch to just 213 total offensive yards.  Against Cincinnati in a huge AFC North battle on December 4, he forced a fumble that helped the Steelers brutalize the Bengals into submission 35-7.

With a possible starting role coming his way and a nice early career track record, this pick gets a high grade from me.  If Stevenson Sylvester can translate his energy and passion onto the defense in 2012, this could end up being an A+ pick.

Draft Grade:  B+

RB Jonathan Dwyer, Georgia Tech

Round Six – 188th Overall – Jonathan Dwyer – Running Back – 5’11″ 235 lbs. – Georgia Tech

A prolific college running back, Dwyer racked up back-to-back 1,395 yard seasons in the powerful flexbone spread option offense at Georgia Tech.  At one time considered a top 30 pick, Dwyer had his draft stock fall due to questions about his ability to translate to a pro-style offense, as well as conditioning and a horrendous NFL Combine showing.  Dwyer fell off draft boards faster than any player in the draft, despite a list of college honors as deep as any player to come out of the ACC in the past twenty years.  The 2008 ACC Player of the Year, 2008 first-team All American, 2009 preseason All American, and leading rusher for the 2009 ACC Champions was even thought of as a possible undrafted free agent after running a 4.59 40-yard dash and only managing 15 reps of 225 lbs. at the Combine.  The failure of a pre-Combine drug screen was the final glaring issue with Dwyer, despite a public announcement by the NFL that the test was ruled exempt due to a prescription medication that Dwyer was legally taking to battle attention deficit disorder.

The Steelers – looking for a long term backup to RB Rashard Mendenhall – took a chance on Dwyer despite all of the negative press.  The opportunity to draft a player with the credentials of Dwyer in the sixth round was just too good to pass up for Kevin Colbert.  The team was stunned when Dwyer showed up for training camp overweight, and it was only after he showed a major commitment to his conditioning that Dwyer made the final cut and was added to the roster.

His rookie season saw Dwyer inactive for most of it, getting his first real playing time in Week 17 when the Steelers were resting most of their starters prior to the playoffs.  He rushed for 28 yards in the game against the Browns for his only 2010 action.  His 2011 season was highlighted by an impressive preseason showing, and after injuries to both Mendenhall and backup RB Mewelde Moore, Dwyer received his first extended NFL action in a Week 5 game against the Tennessee Titans – rushing for a team-high 107 yards on just 11 caries while splitting reps with RB Issac Redman.  The highlight of the game for Dwyer was a 76-yard run that set up a Steelers TD to help defeat the Titans 38-17.

Now entering his third professional season, Dwyer will be counted on – along with Redman and John Clay – to replace the production of Mendenhall for a major piece of the 2012 season as the starting RB recovers from the ACL injury he sustained in 2011.  Dwyer has the potential to be a break-out candidate if he receives enough playing time.  While the Steelers seem committed to Redman leading the pack at RB after an impressive playoff performance, Dwyer would seem to be next in line for carries.  With a skill set and running style that should endear him to Steeler Nation, the pick of Dwyer in the sixth round of the 2010 draft could end up being a steal for the Steelers.  This selection receives an incomplete grade from me until we see what 2012 brings for the 235 lb battering ram running back.

Draft Grade:  INCOMPLETE

WR Antonio Brown, Central Michigan

Round Six – 195th Overall – Antonio Brown – Wide Receiver – 5’10″ 186 lbs. – Central Michigan

This pick was so good it borders on CRIMINAL.

Antonio Brown was a certified stud at Central Michigan, with All-American QB Dan LeFevour throwing his way 305 times over his three years (2007-2009).  Brown racked up – get this folks – 3,199 yards receiving with 22 touchdowns, 531 yards rushing with 4 touchdowns, 53 punt returns for 83 touchdowns (20.0 average return), 113 kick returns for 2,612 yards and 2 touchdowns (23.1 average return), the all-time receptions record for CMU, a 41-game streak of consecutive games with a reception, and THREE consecutive seasons of 2,300+ all-purpose yards.

So why was Antonio Brown hanging around in the late sixth round of the 2010 draft when receivers such as Dezmon Briscoe,Carlton Mitchell, Kerry Meier, and Marcus Easley were all off the board?  The answer is unknown.  Brown had the resume and physical intangibles to be a much-higher draft pick.  Perhaps playing at Central Michigan – not exactly a football factory – played a role.  Perhaps teams were scared off by his scrawny frame?  Maybe it was his self-confidence, which borderlines on cockiness for those who have not had time to learn his personality.  Whatever the reason, Antonio Brown became a Pittsburgh Steeler at 195th overall, and now is a Pro Bowl NFL wide receiver and return specialist who is one of the fastest rising stars in a sport that craves star power.

The third and final piece of the “Young Money” trio to be rostered by the Steelers, Brown heads into 2012 as the unquestioned #2 wideout and one of the young leaders of a tradition-rich NFL franchise.  He maintains a surreal relationship with the fans, one of the most popular athletes in a town that adores their sports heroes.  He is a dynamic kick and punt returner, adding 1,000 return yards to his 1,000+ receiving yards to become the first player in NFL HISTORY to accomplish that feat.

We can sit and talk about this pick all night, but it is much easier to just grade it an A+ and move on.

Draft Grade:  A+ (+)

DT Doug Worthington, Ohio State

Round Seven – 242nd Overall – Doug Worthington – Defensive Tackle – 6’5″ 292 lbs. – Ohio State

Worthington was a quality athlete who had started 20+ games for a team that was considered one of the best squads in the nation during his time there.  He was good enough to be invited to the East-West Shrine Game in 2009, and was considered to be a borderline sixth round pick.  Worthington had personal issues, including a 2008 arrest for speeding and driving while intoxicated.

This was simply a pick that was made out of practice squad need.  Playing his college career on a team that spent nearly every week in a huge National TV spotlight and being a rotating part of the best defensive line in the country earned him the right to forever call himself a Pittsburgh Steelers draft pick.  Hopefully he uses that to every advantage in life, because his odds of ever playing a down in the NFL are slim.

It’s nearly impossible to consider a seventh round pick a “failure”, as most of them are simply project picks – players with either a big school or physical pedigree that teams feel they can build on – but this pick stinks.  At the point the Steelers drafted Worthington, a quick list of those available brings up names such as RB LeGarrette Blount, WR Victor Cruz, WR Danario Alexander, RB Chris Ivory, and TE Jake Ballard.  Any of those picks would have yielded a high-quality NFL player – and in some cases a star player.  NFL teams will eventually learn to not treat seventh round picks as “throw away” picks and waste them on players such as Doug Worthington.

As for the player in question, he spent one preseason in the black and gold and was cut.  He was re-signed to the practice squad – where he lasted 3 days.  He then spent a season in sunny Tampa Bay as practice squad fodder, finally ending up where all players go to kill their careers – Washington.  He is currently in limbo as a training camp possibility for the Redskins, a fun place to spend your final NFL days.

Draft Grade:  F

2010 Draft Summary

The 2010 Draft netted the Steelers another solid group of young players to continue the rebuild of their aging roster.  After hitting big on DE Ziggy Hood and WR Mike Wallace in 2009, the Steelers really nailed the picks of C Maurkice Pouncey, WR Emmanuel Sanders, and WR Antonio Brown.  Potential future starters OLB Jason Worilds and ILB Stevenson Sylvester round out a promising group.

The bad:  DE Thaddeus Gibson was lost in a waiver wire snafu but has not yielded any value elsewhere.  CB Crezdon Butler showed promise but ended up being cut and is now a 3rd string corner for “Pittsburgh-West”.  DT Doug Worthington couldn’t maintain a practice squad slot.

The Unknown:  OG Chris Scott hasn’t seen enough grass to judge yet.  He will be in camp and have a shot to make the team as a backup lineman.   RB Jonathan Dwyer has had some nice moments, but hasn’t had enough carries to formally be placed in the “good” category.

When fans look back on the 2010 Draft, Pouncey and Brown will most likely be the names that ring out.  With talent comparable to Brown, Emmanuel Sanders may just need a healthy season and steady diet of short underneath passes to become a very productive player.  Worilds and Sylvester will be seeing plenty of playing time in 2012 as the team begins to turn the page on their awesome defense from the last ten years.  The real value could come from Dwyer, who will have an open shot to become the backup RB to start the season as Rashard Mendenhall heals.  If Issac Redman were to go down, Dwyer would probably be next in line to start.  Personally, I get the feeling that Dwyer is a guy that could never look back if he gets that chance – his talent is that good, if his commitment and dedication remain high.

The final Steelers Draft Revisited article will be posted this week, as we grade last years crop of rookies.  That article will be closely followed by an opinion piece on the possible 2012 Draft class of your Pittsburgh Steelers.  We will take a look at positions of need, players that should be available to the team, and of course – the wild cards, players that could yield a substantial return despite tangible issues or weaknesses.

We are one week away from the 2012 NFL Draft, so continue to follow daily here at Nice Pick, Cowher – the best site out there for quality original writing and news on the six-time Super Bowl Champions.

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Check out the previous Steelers Draft Revisited articles below:

Steelers 2007 Draft Revisited – The Tomlin Era Begins - posted April 8 2012

Steelers 2008 Draft Revisited – Tomlin Take Two – posted April 13 2012

Steelers 2009 Draft Revisited – Getting Ziggy With it – posted April 16 2012

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DE Ziggy Hood

After a lackluster 2008 Draft, the Steelers went on to win their sixth Super Bowl championship.  With the current team on the verge of dynasty status, the team headed into the 2009 Draft after a very busy offseason.  The Steelers gave both OT Max Starks and OG Chris Kemoeatu contract extensions that were in excess of $20 million, signed DB Keiwan Ratliff to a one-year deal, signed veteran WR Shaun McDonald to a one-year deal, and brought return specialist Stefan Logan in from the CFL.

Losses from the previous season included former first-round pick OG Kendall Simmons (released), WR Nate Washington (signed with Tennessee), FS Anthony Smith (signed with Green Bay), CB Bryant McFadden (signed with Arizona), OT Marvel Smith (signed with San Fransisco after 108 games started in Pittsburgh), backup QB Byron Leftwich (signed with Tampa Bay to be the starting QB), and LB Larry Foote (asked for trade, granted to Detroit).  The team also lost their only “goal line” type running back in RB Gary Russell, who signed with Oakland.  The team would need to start finding replacements for these players, as well as begin the process of finding rookies for eventual replacements for DE Aaron Smith and DT Casey Hampton.

Drafting out of the 32nd slot in the 2009 Draft (Super Bowl winning team drafts last), the Steelers did not anticipate any of their primary targets still on the board at #32.  With the offensive line seeming to finally have some stability, the team zeroed in on defensive line players in the first round.  They found their man in DE/DT Evander “Ziggy” Hood from Missouri.

DE/DT Ziggy Hood, Missouri

Round One – 32nd Overall – Evander “Ziggy” Hood – Defensive End – 6’3″ 300 lbs. – Missouri

With Aaron Smith, Brett Keisel, and Chris Hoke all coming up on the twilight of their careers, the Steelers began the task of rebuilding their defensive line depth by selecting Hood, a player who had played both DE and DT in college and would shift to DE in the Steelers 3-4 defense.  Hood had been a solid player on several highly-ranked Missouri teams (2007, 2008) and had big game experience to go along with his incredible athletic ability.  With the 2009 Defensive Line already set, Hood would have at least one season to backup Smith and Keisel and learn the intricate Steelers defense of Dick LeBeau.  It was the perfect situation for a young player coming into the NFL.  He wouldn’t be expected to contribute right away and would have a chance to play on a team that had Super Bowl aspirations every season.

During his rookie season, Hood would play in all 16 games on both special teams and defense.  He secured his first NFL sack and gain experience playing at both DT and DE.  In 2010, Hood began the season behind Aaron Smith on the depth chart, but an injury to Smith allowed Hood to start the final 9 games of the season.  He accumulated 3.0 sack and 15 tackles.  In 2011, Hood became the primary backup to both Smith and Keisel, and once again took over after another injury sidelined Smith – it would be Aaron Smiths final season with the team.  Hood started 7 games in 2011, accumulating 1.5 sacks and 23 tackles.

At just 25 years old, Hood now joins the starting defense for the retired Smith for 2012.  The team expects that after having three seasons under his belt, Hood should immediately become an anchor on the defensive line.  The jury is still out on Hood, but all signs point to him being a great draft pick and starting this season, a Pro Bowl caliber defensive end.

NOTE: The Steelers would trade their second round pick and forth round pick to the Denver Broncos in exchange for Denver’s third round pick (#79) and Chicago’s third round pick (#84)

OG Kraig Urbik, Wisconsin

Round Three – 79th Overall – Kraig Urbik – Offensive Guard – 6’5″ 323 lbs. – Wisconsin

The Steelers attempted to build depth on the offensive line with the pick of Urbik, considered one of the top guard prospects in the draft.  Coming out of Wisconsin – known for their offensive lineman – Urbik was expected to eventually become a starting RG for the Steelers opposite Kemoeatu.  However, that never happened as Urbik did not play and remained inactive all season, losing his slot to undrafted free-agent Ramon Foster.  The Steelers cut Urbik before the start of the 2010 season.  He was picked up by Buffalo, and is slate to begin 2012 as the starting right guard.

Urbik could be a case of the Steelers giving up on a player too soon.  Should he emerge as a decent player in Buffalo, this draft pick could go down as one of the worst in the past five years for the Steelers. 

WR Mike Wallace, Ole Miss

Round Three – 84th Overall – Mike Wallace – Wide Receiver– 6’0″ 180 lbs. –Mississippi

The Mike Wallace saga has been a major storyline during the 2011-2012 offseason, with Wallace possibility unhappy about his one-year tender offer and making waves about holding out of camp.  Regardless of how the story ends, the selection of Wallace in the 3rd round of the 2009 Draft may go down as one of the best value selections of the Mike Tomlin era.

Wallace was a productive receiver at Ole Miss over a three-year career.  His career totals ended up at 101 receptions/1910 yards/15 Touchdowns/10-92 Rushing Yards.  It wasn’t until the NFL Combine that teams took notice of the impressive speed of the 6’0″ wideout.  At the combine, Wallace ran a 4.33 40-yard dash, the fastest time of any player.  He also added 14 reps of 225 lbs on the bench press and  ran crisp routes during drills.  His draft stock rose to a mid-second round pick after the combine.

When the Steelers selected Wallace at 84th overall in round three, he was the eleventh WR taken in the draft.  Others taken before Wallace:  Darrius Heyward-Bey (Oakland), Michael Crabtree (San Fransisco), Jeremy Maclin (Philadelphia), Percy Harvin (Minnesota), Hakeem Nicks (New York Giants), Kenny Britt (Tennessee), Brian Robiskie (Cleveland), Mohamed Massaquoi (Cleveland), Derrick Williams (Detroit), and Brandon Tate (New England).  Overall, the 2009 draft was stacked with wide receivers, making it easy for the Steelers to take Wallace so late.  The team signed Wallace to a 3-year deal and he went into training camp as one of the players to watch.

During his rookie season, Wallace emerged as a legitimate deep threat or the Steelers offense.  He started four games, but played in all 16, ended up with 39 receptions for 756 yards and 6 touchdowns while leading the NFL with 19.4 YPR.  It was a rookie season that established Wallace as the top wideout heading into 2010.  Over the past two seasons (2010-2011), Wallace has developed into one of the dominant wide receivers in the league.  He has started all 16 games both season (60 receptions/1257 yards/10touchdowns in 2010) (72 receptions/1193 yards/8 touchdowns in 2011) and been the “go-to” guy for QB Ben Roethlisberger during that time.  His ability to outrun any coverage makes him a deadly target downfield, and his ability to gain yards after the catch has placed him among the best in football in that statistical category.

Wallace entered the offseason as an restricted free agent and if any team offered him a contact the Steelers couldn’t match, the team signing Wallace would have to give the Steelers their 1st round pick in the 2012 Draft.  Wallace did not sign elsewhere and is obligated to sign his $2.94 million tender offer.  He is now talking about holding out and the Steelers may be actively accepting trade offers for their top wide receiver, who seems ready to lose his #1 position to WR Antonio Brown regardless.

Wallace was a great pick for the Steelers, and has had a great career here.  If he stays, he has the potential to become of the great Steelers wide receivers of all time.  If not, the team still received exceptional value for their 84th overall pick in 2009.

DB Keenan Lewis, Oregon State

Round Three – 96th Overall – Keenan Lewis – Cornerback – 6’1″ 196 lbs. – Oregon State

Looking to give their aging secondary a shot of youth, the Steelers would select cornerbacks with their next two picks.

They started by taking Keenan Lewis in round three.  Lewis – a high school friend and teammate of previous third round pick Mike Wallace – was considered one of the more physical corners in the draft.  A three-year starter at Oregon State, Lewis had played against all of the top receivers in the PAC-10 from 2005-2008, mostly lining up in man coverage against the top target of the opposing team.  Lewis led the Beavers in interceptions as both a junior and senior, totaling 117 total tackles in his career and being chosen three times to the PAC-10 All-Academic First Team.

Lewis played sparingly in his first two seasons in Pittsburgh, working on nickel coverage units and special teams.  In 2011, he played in all 16 games as the primary backup to both Ike Taylor and William Gay, supplanting veteran Bryant McFadden in that role early in the season.  Lewis is slated to be the top contender for the starting position left by Gay’s departure to Arizona this offseason.  He will compete with second-year players Cortez Allen and Curtis Brown.  The jury is still out on Keenan Lewis, but odds are he will be called upon to play a major role in the 2012 Steelers secondary.

CB Joe Burnett, Central Florida

Round Five – 168th Overall – Joe Burnett – Cornerback – 5’9″ 198 lbs. – Central Florida

By selecting their second corner in the 2009 draft, the Steelers seemed to be trending towards a youth movement in the defensive secondary.  Burnett had been something of a Conference USA phenom at Central Florida, helping the Knights to their first two Bowl berths (2005 Hawaii Bowl, 2007 Liberty Bowl) and setting numerous school and conference records in the process.  Burnett had also been an excellent punt and kick returner – a spot of need for the Steelers – combining for over 1,000 return yards and two punt return touchdowns in his senior (2008) season.  Starting 46 games for UCF in his four-year college career, Burnett amassed 221 tackles and 16 interceptions and was selected as first-team All American by both ESPN ans Sports Illustrated in 2008.

The Steelers career of Joe Burnett lasted one season.  Suiting up for 15 games his rookie season, Burnett played in 11 regular season contests, with the most significant of his playing time coming in a spellbinding 37-36 loss to the underdog Oakland Raiders in Week 12.  With under two minutes left in regulation, the Steelers took a 24-20 lead on a Hines Ward touchdown pass from QB Ben Roethlisberger.  The stage was set for Pittsburgh-native back-up QB Bruce Gradkowski to lead the Raiders in a two-minute drill for the win.  On a second down play at the Oakland 41-yard line, starting cornerback William Gay was injured – forcing Burnett into the game as the #2 corner.  With :41 left on the clock and Pittsburgh clinging to their 24-20 lead, Gradkowski took a shot downfield to WR Louis Murphy.  Burnett had perfect position in between the quarterback and the receiver, and the pass hit him directly between the 2 and 7 on his black Steelers home jersey.  The interception would have been a game-winner, as Oakland had utilized all of its timeouts and would not have had another offensive possession.  Burnett – amazingly – dropped the interception.  The Raiders would go on to complete the drive with :09 left on the clock, an eleven-yard touchdown pass to Murphy behind both Ryan Mundy and Burnett for the game-winner.  The loss sent the Steelers to 6-6 on the season and played a major part in the team missing the postseason.  Once the game was over, the Steelers fell a full three games back behind AFC North leader Cincinnati – with faint wild card hopes riding on winning out the rest of their games.  After a loss to Cleveland the following Thursday, the Steelers no longer controlled their own destiny and missed the playoffs just a year after winning Super Bowl XLIII.

It is very difficult to hinge a players entire career on one play, but the Burnett drop was the last time he would see significant action that season.  The following summer in Training Camp, the Steelers cut Joe Burnett and made no effort to re-sign him to the practice squad – ending his time in Pittsburgh.  Burnett would go on to sign a futures contract with the New York Giants, but has yet to play another down in the NFL.  His career has taken him to the Jacksonville Sharks of the Arena Football League and currently to the Edmonton Eskimos of the CFL.

RB Frank Summers, UNLV

Round Five – 169th Overall – Frank “The Tank” Summers – Running Back – 5’10″ 240 lbs. – Nevada – Las Vegas

The Steelers had back-to-back picks in round five, and after taking going with defensive players on their previous two selections, they went with a running back on their sixth pick in the draft.  Frank Summers was considered a “smashmouth” type running back/fullback that the team desired for their short yardage situations.  In two seasons with the Runnin’ Rebels, Summers established himself as a brutally powerful back capable of rushing for well over 4.0 YPC.  He rushed for 1,668 yards and 14 touchdowns while at UNLV, adding another 402 yards on receptions and catching six touchdown passes.

The Steelers coaching staff raved about the selection, with running backs coach Kirby Wilson telling the Las Vegas media “The other guys I’ve talked to – running back coaches – have all said that he might be one of the more difficult guys to tackle that they’ve seen on film all year”.  Summers had a productive preseason and was inserted as the Steelers starting fullback for Weeks 1-2 of the 2009 season.  An injury kept him out of Week 3 and he was subsequently placed on Injured Reserve, ending his season.  The following year, Summers played both halfback and fullback in preseason games, but did not show enough to make the roster and was cut prior to the regular season.

After spending the 2010 season on the Steelers practice squad, Summers signed with San Diego for 2011.  He did not play in any games for the Chargers, but remains on their roster for 2012.  “The Tank” was lauded by Steeler Nation as the possible heir apparent to “The Bus”, a prophecy that obviously did not come true.  The Steelers received little value from this draft pick.

DT RaShon Harris, Oregon

Round Six – 205th Overall – RaShon Harris – Defensive Tackle – 6’5″ 300 lbs. – Oregon

The Steelers chose defensive lineman RaShon Harris from Oregon with their sixth-round pick.  Harris was a fifth-year senior at Oregon, but did not start until his senior year.  While his statistics were not overly impressive, his workouts were off the charts.  He led all Oregon players in both bench press (415 lbs) and power clean (341 lbs.) and had fantastic workouts at both the NFL Combine and Oregon Pro Day.  The Steelers took a shot on him based on his intangibles, and he was unable to grasp the NFL playbook, possibly due to a lack of playing experience in college.  He was cut before the regular season, and made two more passes through the Steelers practice squad in 2009 and 2010.  He is currently with the practice squad of the Houston Texans.  In his NFL career, he has played in two games (Carolina, 2009) and been active for several games with the Texans last season.

C A.Q. Shipley, Penn State

Round Seven – 226th Overall – A.Q. Shipley – Center – 6’1″ 315 lbs. – Penn State

Using their token “local boy” pick in the 2009 draft, the Steelers selected center A.Q. Shipley from Penn State in round seven.  Shipley grew up and played high school ball at Moon Township, located 20 minutes from Pittsburgh.  He was a standout player on both sides of the ball and was ranked as a four-star recruit by Rivals.com prior to choosing Penn State.  At PSU, Shipley was a major success.  He was an All-American in 2008, and won the Rimington Trophy as the top college center the same year.  He was the main blocker credited for the record-setting season of RB Tony Hunt in 2006.  Shipley was voted as a team captain at Penn State in 2008, a fabulous honor for an offensive lineman.

The Steelers – in need of a backup center – figured Shipley might be able to transfer his talent to the pro field.  He had great workout numbers at the NFL Combine and scored a 40 on the Wonderlic test, easily the highest score that year.  Unfortunately, the “hometown boy does good” story did not happen for Shipley.  He was cut before the season, and was placed on the practice squad.  He spent time in the Philadelphia Eagles organization and is currently on the active roster for the Indianapolis Colts, a rebuilding team that just lost its franchise center in free agency.  Shipley could end up on the roster in 2012 if he is invited to camp and performs well.  I speak for many local fans when I say that we all are pulling for Shipley to do well.  The Steelers may have not hit the jackpot on this draft pick, but they once again showed that they will always give local products a chance to make it in the pros, further proof of how connected the franchise is to the city and region they call home.

TE David Johnson, Arkansas State

Round Seven – 241st Overall – David Johnson – Tight End/Fullback – 6’2″ 260 lbs. – Arkansas State

The final pick for the Steelers in the 2009 Draft was hybrid-type Tight End/Fullback/Halfback David Johnson from Arkansas State.  Johnson may have been the least likely player in this draft to carve out a solid NFL career, but he has done just that in Pittsburgh.  Playing in 15 games his rookie season, Johnson lined up all over the field.  He started three games and caught two passes for nine yards.  In 2010, he again played in 15 games and started five – being used as a 3rd tight end, fullback, lead blocker, extra offensive lineman, and occasionally a decoy for screen passes.  His Steelers career took a major boost in 2011 as he became a weekly starter and played in all 16 games.  He caught 12 passes for 91 yards including his first NFL touchdown.  Johnson took over the backup tight end role opened when Matt Spaeth left for the Chicago Bears prior to last season and excelled enough that the Steelers signed him to a one-year tender of $1.25 million in his restricted free agency year.

With second-year tight end Weslye Sunders serving a four-game suspension for violating the NFL banned substances policy, the team went out and signed veteran TE Leonard Pope – a player drafted by current Steelers offensive coordinator Todd Haley.  Johnson will head into camp in competition for the backup role to TE Heath Miller and could be used more as the Steelers revert back to a lead-blocked on running plays.  It is safe to say that the Steelers got great value out of their seventh round pick in 2009.

2009 Draft Summary

After a miserable return on their 2008 class, the Steelers potentially hit it big with the 2009 rookies.

DE Ziggy Hood will be competing with 2011 1st round pick Cameron Heyward for the starting role left behind by the retirement of Aaron Smith, while the non-starter will settle into the also-significant role opened by the departure of veteran DL Chris Hoke.  Hood has looked much better over the past year and should develop into a steady force for the Steelers on the defensive line, continuing the great tradition there.

WR Mike Wallace has become one of the top playmakers in all of football, but is currently in a dispute with the team over signing his one-year tender and could end up holding out.  Wallace has been the top receiver for the team since his rookie season and needless to say, he was GOLD as a third round pick, no matter what happens moving forward.

CB Keenan Lewis will be competing for a starting job in camp in his forth season.  He has had some bright moments but has yet to really be thrown into the fire.  We will see where he is in August.

TE David Johnson has been a valuable role player for the team, and was re-signed this offseason – showing that the coaching staff views him as a piece to the 2012 puzzle.  Johnson has been a great seventh round value pick.

The selection of OG Kraig Urbik was a dismal failure.  No other way to word it.  A complete and utter failure of a pick so high in the draft.

CB Joe Burnett and RB Frank Summers did not pan out as mid-round selections, as tends to happen more often than not.

DE RaShon Harris was not able to make the team and has become a nomad on NFL practice squads ever since.  Failed pick.

C A.Q. Shipley was a “local” pick and did not make the team.  Failed pick.

Out of nine draft slots, the Steelers selected one Pro Bowl WR, a potential stud DE, a potential starting CB, and a role-player at TE/FB.

While hitting on four of nine may seem to be a failure, the pure upside of Hood and Wallace have driven this draft to the SUCCESS level.  If Keenan Lewis ends up being a decent starting corner and David Johnson keeps doing what he has been for three seasons, this draft could end up a MAJOR SUCCESS.  The status of Mike Wallace is a major player in this draft class.  If he ends up traded, the Steelers would need to extract no less than a 1st round pick, a 3rd round pick, and possibly a 2nd-3rd round pick the following year to match the value.

Tuesday night, we will review the Steelers 2010 draft.  This class gave the team a Pro Bowl center, two potentially game-breaking wide receivers, a running back with great upside, and two future star linebackers to carry on the best position tradition in professional football.

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Follow Jeff Snedden on Twitter @jeffsnedden

Follow Nice Pick, Cowher on Twitter @nicepickcowherC

Be sure to get the best Steelers coverage year-round here at Nice Pick, Cowher.

RB Rashard Mendenhall was the Steelers 1st Round Pick in 2008

With one season of his Steelers coaching career in the tank, Mike Tomlin had successfully begun to brand the team “his” after following in the lofty footsteps of William Laird Cowher,  The 2007 Draft had provided Coach Tomlin with his first set of Steelers draft picks, many of whom made solid contributions to the 2007 season.  That season would result in Tomlin’s first AFC North title as head coach, a 10-6 team that secured the #4 seed in the AFC Playoffs – only to be bounced out in the Wild Card Round by the Jacksonville Jaguars At Heinz Field.

Heading into the 2008 Draft, the Steelers had a few positions that required attention.  Long-time OG Alan Faneca had become a free agent, signing with the New York Jets for a massive five-year, $40 million contract.  The deal would include $21 million in guaranteed money, making Faneca the highest-paid offensive lineman in football for a short while.  The loss of Faneca left the Steelers with a massive hole to fill both on and off the field, as the Pro Bowl guard had become one of the leaders of the franchise during his amazing run in Pittsburgh.  OLB Clark Haggans also left the team in free agency, a move that opened up a starting position for 2007 draft pick LaMarr Woodley.  The team signed Center Justin Hartwig to replace Sean Mahan – a dismal failure in 2007.

Fans of the Steelers were still clamoring for the team to use a high draft pick on either a shutdown Cornerback or a massive Offensive Lineman to shore up the two areas that needed depth and a talent influx.  The Steelers felt that they could enhance the roster better by looking for those positions later in the draft, and instead they decided to draft the best player available in round one.  The player the team targeted was there for the taking at #23 overall, and the Steelers jumped on him quickly.

RB Rashard Mendenhall, Illinois

Round One – 23rd Overall – Rashard Mendenhall – Running Back – 5’10″ 225 lbs. – Illinois

The Steelers had been lacking a power running game ever since “The Bus” retired on the podium at Super Bowl XL in February 2006.  The team had employed players such as FB Carey Davis, RB Gary Russell, and RB Najeh Davenport in goal line and short yardage situations throughout 2006-2007 with little success.  Starting RB Willie Parker had established himself as a legitimate NFL ball carrier, but lacked the size typically associated with the Steelers power running game.  With Offensive Coordinator Bruce Arians refusing to fully commit to a true fullback, Steelers fans were anxious to see the team acquire a back who would harken them back to the days of Barry Foster and Jerome Bettis.  The team found their man in round one when Illinois RB Rashard Mendenhall fell into their laps at #23.  With Oregon back Jonathan Stewart off the board at #13 and the rest of the first round quality running backs being more of the “Fast Willie” variety, Mendenhall was a natural choice for the Steelers.

Rashard Mendenhall had spent his career at Illinois as a bruising back with substantial success.  His 2007 season was impressive – 1,681 yards rushing with 17 rushing touchdowns and a 6.4 YPC (yards per carry) average.  Mendenhall seemed to fit the bill as a primary power back in a revamped Steelers running game that would utilize the quickness of Willie Parker and the power of Mendenhall to create the new trend in the NFL – the two-headed monster.  After dealing with fumbling issues in the preseason, Mendenhall opened up the 2008 season as the youngest player on the Steelers roster.  In Week 4, Willie Parker suffered an injury that forced Mendenhall into a starting role – just in time for a midseason clash with arch-rival Baltimore at Heinz Field.  The stage was set for the emergence of Rashard Mendenhall as the next great Steelers running back.  After rushing for 30 yards on nine carries to start the game, Ravens ILB Ray Lewis smashed Mendenhall with a vicious hit, fracturing his shoulder and forcing him to IR (Injured Reserve) for the remainder of 2008.

The real breakthrough for Mendenhall would come in 2009.  Another injury to Willie Parker opened the door to a start for Mendenhall against the San Diego Chargers.  He answered the call and rushed for 165 yards and two touchdowns against the highly-ranked Chargers defense.  The Rashard Mendenhall era in Pittsburgh had officially begun.  Over the next few weeks, the influx of #34 jerseys in the seats of crazed Heinz Field would be noticeable.  Steelers fans had fallen in love with their new running back.

His 2009 season ended with 1,108 yards rushing and seven touchdowns, establishing himself as the incumbent starter for 2010.  In 2010, Mendenhall turned into the player the Steelers had hoped he would be when they drafted him, rushing for 1,273 yards and 13 touchdowns en route to leading the team to another Super Bowl appearance, albeit a loss to the Green Bay Packers.

The 2011 season was a step backwards, as Mendenhall seemed to be playing injured all season.  It also must be mentioned that a severe lack of adequate blocking did not help matters.  All told, he rushed for 100 yards only two times all season.  He did score 9 touchdowns, however, and finally helped the team achieve a solid goal line offense.  His season would end in Week 17 against the Cleveland Browns when it was discovered that he had torn his ACL.  Mendenhall finished the 2011 season with 928 yards rushing and nine touchdowns.

The future is cloudy for Mendenhall, who seemed to be on his way to superstar status after his 2010 campaign.  He enters 2012 as a player who will be unable to play for an extended time period.  He will essentially miss all of training camp and a currently unspecified number of regular season games.  Hopefully, when he does return he starts right where he left off – on pace to become one of the top running backs in the NFL.

WR Limas Sweed, Texas

Round Two – 53rd Overall – Limas Sweed – Wide Reciever – 6’4″ 220 lbs. – Texas

It was a perfect storm that brought Limas Sweed into the lives of Steeler Nation.  The lack of a large target for QB Ben Roethlisberger had been a subject discussed in every Pittsburgh media outlet since the departure of Plaxico Burress.  Sweed was originally touted as a bone-fide first round quality player, and when he slipped down to round two it was only natural for the Steelers to take a flier on a player who had a ton of upside, despite injury and personality issues.  The selection of Sweed was considered a fantastic move by draft gurus and media outlets nationwide.  Physically, he was everything a team could want in a wide receiver – tall, fast, and a track record of using his great hands to haul in touchdown passes at an astounding clip.

Unfortunately, the potential that so many saw in the young player from Brenham, Texas never materialized in the NFL.  Sweed had a very tough time learning the complex Steelers offense, and when he finally seemed to be catching on to the routes and timing patterns that are so important for the Steelers passing game, his head began to get the better of him.  After playing sparingly throughout 2008, he was forced into a larger role in the AFC Championship Game after an injury to Hines Ward.  Sweed had a chance to catch a perfectly thrown 50-yard pass that would have been a sure touchdown late in the first half, a touchdown that may well have been the death nail for the Steelers opponent – those hated Baltimore Ravens.  Sweed allowed the pass to slip through his fingers, an offense that would have been forgiven had he not followed it up with a sulking performance that cost the Steelers a key timeout due to his inability to get up off the field because of the embarrassment he felt by dropping the pass.  Although he would come back into the game later and deliver a massive block that was greeted by a thunderous Heinz Field ovation, the writing was on the wall for Limas Sweed.

A strange series of injuries and personal issues basically ended Sweeds time in Pittsburgh over the next few years.  After entering training camp 2009 in a battle for the #3 wide receiver slot with rookie Mike Wallace and veteran Shaun McDonald, he emerged on the roster and eventually secured the #4 spot in the Steelers rotation, although he saw little in terms of actual playing time.  In 2010, an Achilles tendon injury forced him to IR and he missed the entire season.  On August 17, 2011 the Steelers began to cut ties with the wideout by releasing him to the waived/injured list.  By mid-September, Sweed no longer had a roster spot or a locker in the Steelers locker room.

LB Bruce Davis, UCLA

Round Three – 88th Overall – Bruce Davis – OLB – 6’3″ 250 lbs. – UCLA

A fantastic athlete who had excelled at both defensive end and outside linebacker at UCLA, Davis seemed to be a perfect fit for the Steelers.  His college resume included a first-team All American season in 2006 (47 tackles/12.5 sacks/17.5 tackles for loss), a similarly productive senior season (45 tackles/12.0 sacks/15.5 tackles for loss), and national recognition as a semi-finalist for the Bednarik Award in 2007.  A marginal combine performance dropped his draft status and enabled the Steelers to select him late in the third round, a value-based pick that looked to be a steal.

Unfortunately for the Steelers, transitioning to the professional 3-4 defense and the speed of the NFL game both proved to be obstacles that Davis could not overcome.  He was woefully over matched during the 2008 preseason, and spent most of his rookie season on the inactive list.  By the beginning of 2009, the Steelers gave up on Davis, releasing him prior to the start of the regular season.  Since that time, Davis has had stints on the practice squads of the Patriots, Broncos, and 49ers.  In 2010, he was signed by the Oakland Raiders and played in a combined 10 games between the 2010-2011 seasons.  He was released by Oakland this past October and has not been given another opportunity as of yet.

OT Tony Hills, Texas

Round Four – 130th Overall – Tony Hills – Offensive Tackle – 6’6″ 305 lbs. – Texas

The Steelers reached back into the former Texas Longhorns player pool again in the forth round, selecting OT Tony Hills.  Hills would join fellow Texas star Limas Sweed as rookies in Pittsburgh for 2008.  His college career started as a tight end in 2003, a redshirt season that was forced upon him due to a very serious left knee injury that was deemed career-threatening.  When he returned the following season, he was converted to offensive tackle and played in 31 games at that position, including being part of a dominant blocking rotation that helped Texas win the 2005 BCS National Championship.  Despite missing the final two games of his senior season with a fractured left fibula, Hills was named to both the first-team All Big 12 team and the first-team Walter Camp All-American team.

Hills was unable to crack the Steelers offensive line depth chart during his three seasons with the team.  He played in three games for the team in 2010, working at both tackle and guard.  He was leapfrogged by Ramon Foster on the roster and released by the Steelers on September 3, 2011.  He was signed by the Denver Broncos for the 2011 season but did not play in any regular season games.  He heads into 2012 as part of the active roster in Denver, looking to secure a spot blocking for new QB Peyton Manning.

Hills was another in a long string of mid-round offensive line gambles by the Steelers that did not pay off.  A list that includes such notable failures as Bo Lacy (2004), Cameron Stephenson (2007), and Kraig Urbik (2009).

QB Dennis Dixon, Oregon

Round Five – 156th Overall – Dennis Dixon – Quarterback – 6’3″ 200 lbs. – Oregon

A prolific athlete during his high school and college years, Dennis Dixon was well on his way to being a first round draft pick in 2007, leading the Oregon Ducks all the way to a #2 National ranking before suffering a torn ACL that cost him the final two games, a Sun Bowl appearance, and the all important NFL Combine workout prior to the 2008 Draft.  Dixon was such a tremendous athlete that he was also drafted in the fifth round of the 2007 Major League Baseball Draft by the Atlanta Braves.  After struggling in a short rookie league season, Dixon gave up the bat and glove and returned to Oregon to resume his quarterback duties for his senior season.

During his college career, Dixon established himself as both a legitimate passing QB, as well as a rushing threat with blazing speed and pinpoint cutting ability.  His senior season included a 67.7 completion, 2,136 passing yards, and 20 touchdown passes to only 4 interceptions – numbers that equaled a QB Rating of 161.2, good for third overall in all of college football.  He was voted onto two All PAC-10 teams (2006 and 2007), was named the PAC-10 Offensive player of the year in 2007, was a finalist for the Davey O’Brien and Maxwell Awards in 2007, and finished fifth in voting for the Heisman Trophy.

With his impressive resume tucked under one arm, Dixon went on to impress scouts during Oregon’s Pro-Day workouts and in his own sanctioned private workouts prior to the 2008 Draft.  With starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger dealing with both personal and injury issues, long-time backup QB Charlie Batch on IR for 2008, and newly-signed backup QB Byron Leftwich just getting his feet wet in Pittsburgh, the Steelers were looking to add a young quarterback who would potentially take over as the primary backup to Roethlisberger in the long run.  Due to concerns over his injury, NFL teams passed on Dixon all the way until the fifth round, where the Steelers were able to select him at 156th overall.

After an impressive 2008 preseason that included a combined 12-for-24 on passing attempts and an impressive 47-yard touchdown run against the Buffalo Bills, Dixon was deactivated for most of the regular season.  He was active in Week 17 and completed his first NFL pass to WR Hines Ward – the 800th career reception for the all-time great.  For his contributions to the team in 2008, Dixon received a Super Bowl ring following the Steelers Super Bowl XLIII victory over Arizona.  All told, it was not a bad way to start a promising NFL career for the sleek young quarterback.

In 2009, the Steelers were dealing with injuries to Ben Roethlisberger and Charlie Batch, giving Dixon the opportunity to start on November 28 in a pivotal AFC North road clash with Baltimore.  Dixon played admirably in that game, finishing with a 12-for-26 line, 145 yards passing, a touchdown and a game-deciding interception late in the forth quarter.  He also ran for a touchdown on a spectacular planned QB run.

The 2010 season started with a four-game suspension for Ben Roethlisberger, and Dixon battled with Byron Leftwich and Charlie Batch in the preseason for the right to start in the absence of #7.  After starting the first two games of the season, Dixon suffered a knee injury against Tennessee during the week two game and eventually landed on IR for the season.  In 2011, Dixon did not play following his knee surgery and was eventually placed on IR once again, possibly ending his time in Pittsburgh.

Dixon is currently an unrestricted free agent and is free to sign with any team.  He is intent on signing with a franchise that will enable him to compete for a backup job, with the possibility of a future starting role.  The Steelers seem content with re-signing Byron Leftwich and Charlie Batch to back up Roethlisberger, also scouting mid-round quarterbacks for the upcoming draft.  Dixon has the skill set to be an intriguing pick up by any team with an unsettled QB situation.  While being drafted by the Steelers enabled him to win a Super Bowl ring in his rookie season, being drafted by Pittsburgh also placed him in a situation where he would forever be behind a future Hall of Fame quarterback.  When given the opportunity to play extensively on any team, Dixon could eventually mature into a solid #2 QB for many years to come.

This is a large write-up for a fifth round pick, but the drafting of Dennis Dixon was one of the more intriguing Steelers picks of the past five years.  Originally it was thought by Steelers fans that Dixon could have transitioned to the old Antwaan Randle-El role as a WR who can line up at QB and catch defenses off guard.  Those types of players always catch the eye of Steeler Nation.  While Dennis Dixon may never be a starting quarterback in the National Football League, he is a prime reminder of the type of talent that can be had in the mid-to-late rounds of the NFL Draft.  The Steelers made a solid selection with this draft pick and it is the type of pick that fans would like to see more of – bold.

LB Mike Humpal, Iowa

Round Six – 188th Overall – Mike Humpal – Linebacker – 6’3″ 244 lbs. – Iowa

Personally, I love when the Steelers draft players from the Iowa Hawkeyes.  Besides the fact that Iowa looks like a college version of our beloved Steelers, Hawkeyes players are always hard-nosed, blue collar types.  The exact sort of athletes that are always welcomed with open arms in the Steel City.

Humpal was a solid college linebacker, recording 123 tackles and 3 interceptions in his senior (2007) season.  The team envisioned him as a player that could provide solid depth on the inside in the 3-4 defense.  Humpal was injured prior to his rookie season and did not play a down for the Steelers before being released.  He was re-signed and placed on injured reserve in 2009, a gesture of good faith by the Steelers to a player they felt could eventually get healthy and become a solid addition to the depth chart.  Humpal was never able to get over the “humpal” (pun so sadly intended) so to speak, and was released for good on February 26, 2009.  He is currently out of football.

DB/S Ryan Mundy, West Virginia

Round Six – 194th Overall – Ryan Mundy – Safety/Cornerback – 6’1″ 205 lbs. – West Virginia

The Steelers capped off their 2008 Draft by selecting a Pittsburgh product, Woodland Hills High School graduate Ryan Mundy.  Mundy had started his college career at Michigan, playing for the Wolverines in both 2004 and 2006, with a medical redshirt season in 2005.  After graduating from Michigan, Mundy utilized his final year of eligibility by enrolling at West Virginia.  He started for the Mountaineers and had his best college season (59 tackles/3 interceptions).

Mundy was not invited to work out at the NFL Combine, but did so at the West Virginia Pro Day.  His work out numbers were not eye-popping, but his 4.55 40-yard dash time and 21 reps of 225 lbs. on the Bench Press was enough for the Steelers to give the local product a shot to make the roster.  Mundy was cut before the regular season, but was almost immediately re-signed to the practice squad.  He ended up being active for all 16 games in 2009 and has played in 48 total games for the Steelers as the primary backup to both Ryan Clark and Troy Polamalu.  He has started two games due to injuries to the starters during that time, including the 2011 AFC Wild Card game in Denver which saw him and now-former teammate CB William Gay attempting to chase down Broncos WR Demaryius Thomas on the game-winning touchdown in overtime.  Overall, Mundy has been a valuable backup and special teams player for the Steelers – about what the team would expect from a late sixth-round pick.  Furthermore, Mundy continues a tradition of local products living out their childhood dreams as active members of the Pittsburgh Steelers, something that has always been important to the Steelers organization and their fans.
2008 Draft Summary

The second draft by Head Coach Mike Tomlin saw the Steelers draft a potential superstar running back who has made significant contributions to both a Super Bowl winner and Super Bowl losing team.  The Steelers also drafted an exciting young quarterback project in Dennis Dixon, and a long time piece of their defensive secondary and special teams depth in S Ryan Mundy.

Unfortunately, that pretty much sums up the high points of a very disappointing Steelers draft class.  The total value of this class hangs on the long-term ability of RB Rashard Mendenhall to return from a serious ACL injury and regain the form he showed in 2010.  Limas Sweed and Mike Humpal are completely out of football just four years later, and Bruce Davis is searching for another practice squad job for 2012.  Tony Hills is an active member of the Denver Broncos, but has yet to play in a game for the team.  Hills held zero value for the Steelers in his time here.

The toughest aspect of this draft to swallow for Steeler Nation is the failure of Limas Sweed to develop into the tall wide receiver that has been so coveted by QB Ben Roethlisberger.  Sweed never seemed to get over the dropped touchdown pass in the AFC Championship Game against Baltimore, as he dropped another sure TD the following season and within six months was no longer a part of the organization.  His immaturity was a concern for teams heading into the draft, and the Steelers took a gamble that did not pay off.

Dennis Dixon will continue to play in the NFL, however he will more than likely not be in black and gold.  His years with the Steelers will be forgotten in time, despite the potential he showed in limited duty when it was given to him.

As far as the past five Steelers drafts go, 2008 should be deemed the least successful of the Tomlin Era.

Tomorrow, we will review the 2009 Steelers Draft.  The 2009 class included a now-starting defensive lineman, a Pro Bowl wide receiver, a potential starting cornerback for 2012, and a valuable late-round tight end pick that has turned into one of the best seventh round picks of the past five years in the NFL.

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Follow Jeff Snedden on Twitter @jeffsnedden

Follow Nice Pick, Cowher on Twitter @nicepickcowherC

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This past weekend, Northern Virginia turned into a Steeler paradise for thousands of fans who traveled from as far away as Florida, Alabama, Ohio, and of course Pittsburgh for the chance to see their heroes up close and personal.  As we all know, Steeler Nation does a little traveling here and there – a fact that didn’t go unnoticed by many of the players making appearances at the show over the weekend.

Former Steelers WR Roy Jefferson signed autographs for several hours on both days, and was very impressed with the way Steelers fans support their team.  Sitting next to former Steelers RB Mike Collier at the autograph booth, both players had alot to say about the quality of the Steel City and their fans.  “Steelers fans are amazing, besides this show I have been many shows all over the Country where Steelers fans always make their presence felt.  A few years back, when the Steelers played the Redskins in FedEx Field, the stadium was easily 70% black and gold, and felt like a Steelers home game ” said Jefferson, who played for both the Steelers and Redskins in his career and makes his home in Washington, DC.  Mr. Collier added “It is amazing the way these fans support their team, even the guys who only played for them for a few years get treated like royalty.”

Former Steelers WR Roy Jefferson shows off his true colors

Former Steelers DE Keith Gary, signing autographs in the front area of the show, spent many hours mingling with Steelers faithful, and was talking football with the fans all weekend.  Even former Cincinnati Bengals RB Ickey Woods was impressed with the Steelers turnout, although Ickey – as a Bengal for life – wanted to also make sure Steelers fans know the rivalry is still there.  “No matter what type of season each team is having, when the Bengals and Steelers hook up, you know it will be a good game.” stated the former “Ickey Shuffle” master.

While most fans came out to catch a glimpse of their heroes, the real event was the Collectables Show featuring over 500 dealers from all across the country.  For a sports memorabilia collector, it was a dream show.  Autographed items, sports cards, sports figures, and every oddball collectable you could dream of was available in Chantilly this weekend.  The show drew over  50,000 fans over the three day length, and at no time could you look anywhere without running into Steeler Nation.  The Steel City Mafia, the most prominent Steelers fanclub in the Country, was all over Chantilly signing up new members and holding auctions for great Steelers gear.  TotalSports had their booth lined with thousands of “Forever86″ items honoring Hines Ward, who made his entrance on Sunday afternoon to a massive Terrible Towel wave organized by Wendy Bennett of the Steel City Mafia.

Former Steelers RB Mike Collier

The show was sponsored by Collectors Showcase of America, a company who promotes shows throughout the east coast.  Besides Steelers players such as Hines Ward, Ben Roethlisberger, Dermonnti Dawson, Emmanuel Sanders, Levon Kirkland, Rocky Bleier, and Ryan Clark, the show included Dallas Cowboys players Jason Witten and Miles Austin, Rams QB Sam Bradford, Paul Hornung, Cortez Kennedy, Matthew Stafford, Michael Vick, and baseball legends Jack Morris, Wally Moon, and Pedro Sierra.

Even with the firepower of many non-Steelers players making the trip, the weekend was owned by Steeler Nation and Robert Griffin III.  The former Baylor QB and possibly soon-to-be Washington Redskin brought out the Redskins fans and the local media on Saturday afternoon.  He signed autographs and met his future fans before leaving to a thunderous applause.

One of the big topics discussed over the weekend was the immediate future of the Pittsburgh Steelers, who have had a rocky offseason.  Former Steelers RB Mike Collier summed it up best “Next year will be a challenge for the Steelers, finding new leaders, and allowing the younger players to find their spots, but in the end two things are for sure – the Steelers will compete, and Steeler Nation will be there with them the entire way.”

I couldn’t agree more, Mr. Collier.

Former Steeler Keith Gary and Wendy Bennett (aka Boss Steeler Chick)

Former Bengals RB Ickey Woods spent the weekend greeting his fans in Chantilly.

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