Last night, Dom, Jeff and myself went over some of the greatest positional needs for the Steelers and discussed what player could be on the board for those needs.  The consensus seemed clear – ILB, OL and DT were the three biggest needs, and the Steelers had a handful of options on the order with which to fulfill those needs.

We discussed a possible 1st Round trade down or up and what that would give the Steelers.  We dusted off the crystal ball and made our Round 1 picks.  And finally, we parted with some bold predictions for the draft in general.

Check out the episode, and be sure to listen in live next time because we do take callers.

The NFL Draft is almost upon us.  Join Craig and the writers of NPC as they discuss some Steelers prospects as well as potential scenarios for the first few rounds of the draft.

Dom will join us to give his final analysis for Thursday’s first round, and maybe I can get him to look into his crystal ball a bit to see what the Steelers will do with the 24th overall pick.

The broadcast will be live starting at 11pm EST.  Below is the link for the episode and be sure to join us and call in!

NPC Radio #3: Steelers Draft Preview

The boys over at FanSided’s With The First Pick have released their 7 Round mock draft for the Pittsburgh Steelers.  Hightower certainly makes sense as their first pick – that’s assuming he’s still on the board by then.  I find the Lamar Miller pick in round two is an interesting one.  I guess anyone can make an argument that the Steelers could use a definitive starter at running back (although I’ve always said that Redman is just fine), but the Steelers have greater need at the offensive and defensive lines.  And, even if there is a really good running back in the second round available for the Steelers – in this case Miller – they also weigh in their needs within the first couple of rounds.  Highest value usually doesn’t fall into play until Rounds 3 and up.

OT Donald Stephenson out of Oklahoma. Courtesy arrowheadaddict.com

OT Donald Stephenson is a good pick, but I would like to think there are better OT’s or OG’s left on the board in Round 2.  I really like the Jared Crick pick.  I doubt Dontari Poe will be available to the Steelers in any round, and Crick is a solid pick to begin grooming for the next year.  There is question as to whether he could fill ‘Big Snack’s’ shoes.  The picks in Rounds 5-7 also make sense as the Steelers have need for corner, wide out, and quarterback.  The Steelers’ secondary is getting better, the wide receiving core is strong (with or without Wallace), and Big Ben will be around for quite some time.  But this is where the Steelers’ genius comes into play by picking great value players late in the draft.  The need in those three areas is not immediate, but it makes sense to take some swings out there and nab the highest valued player and see what they can do over the next year or two.

What do the rest of you think of Mr. Bartolis’ picks?

Step away from the Blackberry, Adam!

With Casey Hampton more than likely on the PUP at the start of the 2012 season and the release of Aaron Smith, at first glance the Steelers defensive line looks in dire need of some help.  Enter ESPN’s Adam Schefter with this:

This draft is so deep at defensive tackle that it’s easy to see the Steelers looking in that direction on draft day. The one thing about Pittsburgh’s defense is that it’s aging, quickly — the Steelers need an infusion of youth and talent. Then again, they also could use some reinforcements to help protect Ben Roethlisberger. But the needs along the defensive line would seem to be the most pressing and if there’s a bona fide prospect available, Pittsburgh could pounce on him.

Unless you’ve been under a rock lately or just staring longingly out the window for the leaves to appear on the trees, any Steelers fan knows that the team has slashed their way under the cap.  I think Schefter misses the fact that by getting rid of many higher payed players thus far during the off season, they’ve also dumped a bunch of 30 somethings along the way.  Hines Ward, Aaron Smith, James Farrior, Bryant McFadden, Chris Hoke – all over the age of 30 and gone.  The average age of the Steelers starting lineup right now is around 26 years old – that includes factoring in Charlie Batch’s age of 62.  And can someone explain to me how you can age ‘quickly?’  I’m pretty sure the team is aging just as fast as any other team in the league.  He is correct that the Steelers need to continue their tradition of infusing youth with talent that already exists on the team – it’s won a few Super Bowls so far.

I don’t doubt the Steelers will be looking to score a DT on draft day.  But let’s not get carried away and use words like ‘pounce.’  If the defensive tackle list is as deep as Schefter says it is (and more or less it is), then the Steelers can take their time to fill a need when they want to.  That’s the beauty of the Steelers’ draft ‘system.’  They draft by value congruently with need.  The Steelers don’t pounce.  Cougars pounce (the kind at the zoo or at the bar, take your pick).  Colbert is calculated and patient.

Secondly, if there ever is a more urgent need to fill for the Steelers it’s the offensive line.  The Steelers won’t ignore that they need to protect their $100 million investment.  The passing game and running game are dependent upon at least two picks this draft.  And, even with a need like that the Steelers will still look to a higher value by the time pick #24 comes rolling around.  Cordy Glenn will more than likely be off the board.  The guard class is deep too.  So, the Steelers won’t rush that pick either.  The highest value congruent with need right now lies within Dont’a Hightower.  Farrior is gone and they will need a 3-4 ILB ‘quickly’… oh shoot there I go using that word.  But this time the word is being used in the right context.

The defensive line is not the most pressing need.  It’s a LeBeau offense, and it will take time for any rookie to get acquainted.  That’s why Dont’a is such a good fit – he already has played in a Nick Saban true to the ‘T’ 3-4 defense.  A huge step in the right direction for getting someone in the lineup and starting quic…soon.  Steelers fans know better, and know that ‘The Hood’ will step up should Hampton be placed on the PUP.  Guys like Sylvester will step up in the LB spot should Hightower need more time.  Don’t be surprised if a DL/DT pick comes after round four.  And don’t be surprised if that player is a gem – Colbert has a way with knowing what the hell he is doing.

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