In case you forgot, the Steelers drafted this guy. Sounds like he's already turning heads. Credit: Kevin Jairaj-US PRESSWIRE

Ask me two or three years ago if the Steelers would have a completely solid offensive line and pro bowl-like play from two tight ends in about four years and I would have called you one of the biggest homers out there for thinking such things.  Turns out that as offseason workouts and mini camps progress, the Steelers are becoming poised for such things.  I know it’s ridiculously early to call this thing, but it appears that the Steelers have put pieces in place to make the offense a force to be reckoned with.

In an interview with the TribLive, Kevin Colbert pointed out a few things about the offense.

[W]e were pleasantly surprised (with rookie) Kelvin Beachum and his versatility. I think he’ll be able to play guard and tackle, and some day he might be able to play center.  He’s a versatile, very intelligent kid. He was a left tackle at SMU. He’s probably a little undersized for tackle in the NFL, but he’s got the arm length and the feet. Whether he can do it at this level, who knows? But he’s athletic enough to play guard, and I think he’s smart enough to play center someday.     – Kevin Colbert

Beachum is a 7th round draft pick, and you usually don’t hear news like that coming from a 7th rounder this early in the process of camp evaluations.  Not sure if he’ll ever be a Rayfield Wright, a 7th round draftee who is a six time Pro Bowler and Hall of Famer, from the Dallas Cowboys in the 60′s.  But, his versatility is an exciting asset to his abilities.  And the smarts and ability to play center?  Phew.  Maybe Steeler Nation won’t sweat it if and when Maurkice Pouncey gets hurt again.  Beachum has not been talked about much since being drafted.  The focus as of yet has been on early rounders David DeCastro and Mike Adams.  Beachum could be a big surprise in camp and step in as one of the better backups while he develops.  I’m not sold quite yet, but…. In Colbert We Trust.

Colbert also mentioned that newly acquired TE Leonard Pope has been a standout so far.  I’ve talked Poe up a few times of adding an incredible 1-2 punch in the TE slot when playing opposite of Heath Miller.  The honeymoon with Pope could be short lived.  He might be Haley’s guy, but he still needs to be able to gel with Ben Roethlisberger as well as block well with his other linemates.  I’m not too worried about those things.  Pope is a very good tight end, and his size will be a huge advantage.  6′-0″, 6′-5″, and 6’8″.  That’s the height of Mike Wallace (should he return), Heath Miller, and Leonard Pope.  Defenses better get the Miracle Grow and start putting it in the water during training camp, or Big Ben will be throwing bombs and lobs all day long to these three guys in the end zone.

This news from Colbert is very encouraging.  I expect this kind of stuff to keep coming out of camp in late July.  You getting excited yet?

What could the Steelers really have in store for Sean Spence? Credit: Robert Mayer-US PRESSWIRE

Nine men were selected over the course of three days by the Pittsburgh Steelers.  And, though only time will tell how good this draft class will turn out, it stands with the potential of being one of the best – certainly the best in the Colbert era.  There is no doubt that these nine men have the skills – even the late rounders have beautiful intangibles – and it is now up to the coaches to groom these gentlemen into Pittsburgh Steelers.

‘Final’ is such a loose word to use so early in the new ear of Pittsburgh Steelers football.  So for the sake of this post, let’s just use the term ‘final’ with regards to how the weekend went for collecting wants, needs and potential.  Let’s give a quick breakdown of these players, grade each one, and then look to how these men will contribute come camp and beyond.

David DeCastro Credit: Jason O. Watson-US PRESSWIRE

OG David DeCastro, 24th overall: The Steelers largest need coming into this draft was at guard and tackle.  DeCastro practically fell into the Steelers’ lap.  He appeared almost like an ‘Ole!’ gloved line drive where the fielder looks into his glove and has that look of, ‘Holy crap look what I found!’  Colbert later stated that the team was willing to trade up for him.  Colbert and his genius must have known (even with all that movement on the board) that no team needed the best guard available in the draft.  They just sat back and let it happen.  DeCastro will be a plug and play lineman and add much needed skill, speed and youth to the line.

Grade: A+

Mike Adams Credit: Melina Vastola-US PRESSWIRE

OT Mike Adams, 56th overall: The Steelers went back to back offensive lineman for probably the first time in the history of the NFL Draft.  It became a clear message to Steeler Nation and Big Ben that this organization fully recognizes the desperate need for a better offensive line and was willing to commit to it in this year’s draft.  We are all sleeping better for it.  Adams is a big guy coming in at 6’7″ and 323 lbs.  But, there is question to his ability to start immediately for the offense.  Worse case scenario will have Adams, Colon and possibly Starks (should the team bring Ben’s favorite guy back) duke it out over the summer for a starting role on the line.  It’s a win win all around should Colon stay healthy long enough to get through that competition.  Drug history aside, Adams appears committed to improving his character and sought out the team on his own terms prior to the draft – which I think takes guts after the news of his recreational drug use became public knowledge.

Grade: B+

LB Sean Spence, 86th overall: The Steelers moved to the defensive side of the ball with their third pick.  But, surprisingly, instead of snagging a few DT’s still left on the board, they went with a natural OLB.  ’OLB?!’ you say?  It’s true that the ‘real’ need was at ILB with the release of James Farrior.  Spence has only played one game at ILB while at Miami.  Mayock from NFL Network said Spence is one of his favorite players (aren’t they all?) and even acknowledged that Spence would probably have to play the outside.  So what gives?  LB’s coach, Keith Butler, clarified this pick later that day by stating that Larry Foote is ‘ready’ to fill in for Farrior – at least positionally.  Timmons will stay to the inside and Spence will start by backing Timmons up and play on special teams.  Of course no defensive rookie ever has a true starting role on the Steelers roster due to the complexity of Dicky’s defensive scheme.  Spence should have plenty of time to grow into that ILB role should Timmons and Foote stay healthy long enough.  I have another theory on Spence that I will delve into later.  But I think the Steelers also picked him up for another role on the defense…. think long flowing curly locks.

Grade: B+

Alameda Ta'Amu

DT Alameda Ta’Amu, 109th overall: The Steelers made a jump at the start of the day in the 4th Round to jump 10 spots in order to nab this beast of a nose tackle.  It was a necessary move, and they only gave their 6th Rounder for it.  The team could not afford to wait out like they did with DeCastro in the 1st round.  There were only a few left on the board worth any value, and Colbert recognized Ta’Amu’s full potential to be the cookie cut replacement for injured and aging Casey ‘Big Snack’ Hampton.  Should Hampton not be ready to play at the start of the season, Ta’Amu will fill an immediate need without the defensive line having to do any more shuffling than they already have to do with Hoke retiring and Smith being released.  He was a favorite for our draft guru’s, Dom and Jeff, and I like this pick a lot as well.  He will become another NT that won’t garner a ton of stats, but will simply eat two blockers off the line to make lanes for our blitzing LB’s and Safeties.

Grade: A

The rest of the picks on the next page.

OL Kelvin Beachum, SMU

With their final pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, the Steelers selected OG Kelvin Beachum of SMU to finish off their offensive line rebuild.