| Hard-Nosed Ragone a Good Fit for Pittsburgh | |
An NFL Draft Wish List by:
About Football's NFL Draft Expert Mike Margittai
Discuss the NFL Draft with other Steelers fans!
Let's take a close look at the Pittsburgh Steelers' draft needs and their first round wish list.
• Quarterback - Former first-round bust Tommy Maddox is trying to salvage a career but is no young gun at 31 and Kordell Stewart's time in Pittsburgh is likely to be over after this season. Charlie Batch is a serviceable backup but I don't see him as the future at quarterback. This team is very likely to draft a young QB in the first three rounds to sit and learn for a couple of years before being thrown into the fire, much the way the Jets did with Chad Pennington.
Their first choice at QB would be Dave Ragone, from Louisville, if he falls to them in the first round. Ragone is a big, strong, blue-collar QB who's determination and hard-nosed style of play personifies the Pittsburgh faithful and would draw comparisons to former Steeler great Terry Bradshaw. Like Bradshaw, Ragone is not flashy, but he is a gutty performer that always does whatever he can to lead his team to victory.
If Ragone is off the board or if they decide to draft another position with their first pick, Kyle Boller, from California, would be their next choice. Boller is another big, strong armed QB that figures to be a third-round choice.
• Running Back - After 2 injury plagued seasons, the wheels appear to be falling off "The Bus," Jerome Bettis, and the Steelers should be looking to find his replacement. Amos Zereoue is a good change-of-pace back but he can't carry the load by himself and Chris Fuamatu Ma'afala is injury-plagued himself and better suited to play fullback.
A perfect fit in their smash-mouth offense would be likely first-round pick Larry Johnson, from Penn State. Johnson is a big, strong runner with good speed and runs with a chip on his shoulder. He is reminiscent of former Steeler and Penn State Nittany Lion, Franco Harris.
• Wide Receiver - The wide receiver position is very good for the Steelers with starters Plaxico Burress and Hines Ward and rookie slot receiver Antwaan Randle El. However, with the potential loss of Terance Mathis, depth is an issue. Rookie Lee Mays adds nice depth but it is likely that the Steelers draft a young WR in the mid rounds to shore-up the position.
Ronald Bellamy, from Michigan, would be a great fit if he's on the board in the fourth round. He's an emotional, hard-working receiver with good size and speed, comparing favorably to Ward.
• Tight End - Mark Bruener has struggled the last two years with injuries, but Jurame Tuman has held down the position well in his absence. The Steelers have added depth to the position by acquiring Marco Battaglia and John Allred, but may go after a young TE prospect in the later rounds.
• Offensive Line - The Steelers starting O-line is solid with former first-round picks Wayne Gandy, Alan Fanaca, Jeff Hartings, and Kendall Simmons and former second-round pick Marvel Smith from left to right. They also have solid depth at guard and center but OT depth is a concern. They will probably look for a young, versatile OT early on the second day. Jordan Black, from Notre Dame, would be a good pick if he's still on the board in the fourth or fifth round.
• Defensive Line - The D-line in this 3-4 defense is very good with Casey Hampton plugging up the middle and Aaron Smith on the left end and they have solid depth at all three spots. Kimo von Oelhoffen is solid but very unspectacular at right end and may be replaced.
With his experience on the interior at Colorado, Tyler Brayton would be a perfect fit as a DE in Pittsburgh's 3-4 defense. Brayton is big, strong and explosive and is expected to go in the first or early second round.
• Linebackers - The Steelers have arguably the best and deepest group of linebackers in the league with starters Joey Porter, Kendrell Bell, James Farrior, and Jason Gildon from right to left and quality backups at each position. It is not high on their priority list to take a LB at any stage of this draft.
• Defensive Backs - The Steelers' opponents' passer rating is 75.0, ranking 5th in the NFL. They have a star tandem of former first-round picks at CB in Dewayne Washington and Chad Scott, two good safeties in Lee Flowers and Brent Alexander, and good depth at every position. They will likely take a young corner or safety in the mid rounds.
The Steelers may reach on Mike Doss, from Ohio State, if he's available in the second round. He still needs to work on his pass coverage but he's excellent in run support and could be lethal in Pittsburgh's aggressive defensive scheme.
Torrie Cox, from Pittsburgh, would be a good pick if he's on the board in the third round. He's an aggressive cover man and sure tackler with good size and speed and can also help you on special teams as a punt and kick returner, a gunner on punts, and on kick-off coverage.
• Wish List
• 1st round - It'll be a tough decision if all three of these guys are on the board when they pick. I think right now it would be Dave Ragone slightly over Larry Johnson because of Bill Cowher's love for "The Bus" and Tyler Brayton close behind them.
1a. QB Dave Ragone, Louisville
1b. RB Larry Johnson, Penn State
2. DE Tyler Brayton, Colorado
