At the other cornerback spot, Deshea Townsend had his best year as a pro. But, he is already 30. Hence, a cornerback needs to be groomed to take over for Deshea. Some feel that Ike Taylor might develop; then again, Ike might get demoted...again. Names such as Justin Miller, Carlos Rogers, and Eric Green might look nice (in yellow letters, on a black jersey).
THE "We Is Who We Is" CAMP
The Steelers have been, are currently, and will always
be a running team. Hence, no Steelers fan would mind
the drafting of a running back.
Despite the fact that Jerome Bettis has started his off-season work-outs (at the team's facilities in Pittsburgh), and that Jerome is leaning heavily towards returning for one final season, it would behoove the Steelers to draft a running back...and I am not against doing so in Round 1.
Bettis might still end up retiring. Duce Staley and Verron Haynes can not stay healthy. And, Willie Parker is smaller than ideal. But, chances are that the Steelers will wait until a later round to draft a running back...such as Eric Shelton in Round 2.
THE "Cowher Played LB, Loves LBs, Drafts LBs" CAMP
This mentality of this camp is based on the fact that
not only has Cowher drafted at least one linebacker in
almost every draft he has run, but the fact that
Cowher is extremely good at analyzing, critiquing, and
drafting linebackers: Jason Gildon, Joey Porter, Earl
Holmes, Carlos Emmons, Chad Brown, and Kendrell Bell
just to name a few.
The departure of Kendrell Bell (on injured reserve, er, playing for Kansas City) and the pending release of Alonzo Jackson means that the Steelers will have only six linebackers for their four spots. As if depth alone were not a good enough reason to draft a linebacker, the team needs an upgrade in its pass-rush...and generally, the pressure on their defense comes from the linebacker position.
That said, it is doubtful that a linebacker will be taken in Round 1...unless somehow Shawne Merriman or David Pollack miraculously drop into Pittsburgh's lap.
SUMMATION
It is hard to tell who the Steelers will draft,
because so many teams can go so many different
directions before the Steelers actually pick. Heath
Miller and Shawne Merriman could go in the top ten.
David Pollack and Marcus Spears might both go in the
middle of the round. Shaun Cody, Matt Jones, and Mark
Clayton could all go in the early 20s. And, Justin
Miller, Carlos Rogers, and Eric Green might go in the
mid-20s.
-Or, all of those aforementioned players could drop to
30.
As confusing as the first round may be, that hullabaloo is nothing when compared to the ensuing rounds...which are directly affected by the first round. If a wide receiver is drafted in Round 1, then maybe a running back is drafted in Round 2...unless the probability of a good running back being available in Round 3 is higher than the possibility of a quality cornerback being being available in that round. In which case cornerback would be the pick in Round 2. But, if the wide receiver is passed upon in Round 1, for a defensive end, than the pass-rush created by said defensive end might negate the need for a cornerback, thus making a running back or a tight end more of a priority. And, of course, there is a possibility that a team wants to trade up with Pittsburgh. In which case, the Steelers could accrue more picks and address more positions. But, only if no player stands out on their board at that time. Uh....
I am sure there is an algorithm that can explain all of this....but, I lost Stephen Hawking's email address.
In short, the Steelers need to simply draft the best available player in each round. They have spent months setting up their draft board, and all they have to do is take the top player left on that board....regardless of what the various camps are yelling.
Anyway, enough typing. Time to go prepare for the draft...in other words, poke an extra notch in my belt.
