The elite cornerbacks in this league are drafted in round one. So, if the Steelers are going to draft a cornerback in this draft, they had better do so early...or not at all. Of course, the obvious contradiction to this point is the Steelers themselves, whose starting corners were both drafted in the fourth round. That said, the Steelers have not had a truly elite cornerback on their roster since Rod Woodson.
I had thought that Bryant McFadden was going to be that elite player; I had high hopes for him. Alas, he has yet been unable to unseat Deshea Townsend. The Catch-22 is that if McFadden does indeed earn the starting spot, he is scheduled to become a free agent after this season. In other words, if McFadden does not become a starter, then the Steelers will need a corner in next year's draft. Yet, if McFadden does indeed become a starter, the Steelers will still need a corner in next year's draft (because he will sign somewhere else). Thus, if the right player drops, it is very possible that the Steelers could draft a cornerback in the first round.
The elite cornerback for which Pittsburgh has been searching is Mike Jenkins. First off, despite playing some time at safety, Jenkins is not very effective in run-support. But, besides that, Jenkins is the perfect cornerback. Not only is Jenkins big (200 pounds), he played in the Big East against tall, physical wide-recivers...which is exactly the types of players that he would face in the AFC North. Furthermore, with great cover skills, Jenkins can totally eliminate a wide receiver from a game. Last but not least, Jenkins does not give up big plays; if anything is caught, it is done so in front of him. Thus, it would not surprise me to hear his name called (in association with the Steelers) come draft day.
AQIB TALIB, cornerback, Kansas
With his admission to failing three drug tests, I have taken Talib off of my board. I admire his character for telling the truth, but at the same time, his nonchalant attitude about his illegal behavior scares me. For more information on this, see: Pac-Man Jones.
See also: Chris Henry.
See also: Ricky Williams.
LIMAS SWEED, wide receiver, Texas
DEVIN THOMAS, wide receiver, Michigan State.
I am not saying that the Steelers actually need a wide receiver. But, I have a feeling that the Steelers might have their pick of the litter.
Limas Sweed has everything you would want in a receiver...except hands. He is tall, strong, and does not get jammed easily. He runs great routes and puts himself in position to catch the ball. And, he is a character type of guy. Alas, he drops way to many catchable balls...and having watched Plaxico Burress for four years, I have had enough of that to last me a lifetime.
Devin Thomas is intriguing, because he is a great return man...who is big. Most kick/punt returners are diminutive; whereas, Thomas is 6'2" and 220 pounds. He is still developing as a receiver...but, considering that Hines Ward has two solid years left in the tank, Thomas will be afforded the time he needs to develop. In the meantime, he can return kicks (which is a void that the Steelers have been trying to fill for half a decade). In other words, Thomas fills two holes: special teams playmaker and the eventual replacement for Ward.
OWEN SCHMITT, full-back, West Virginia
JOSH JOHNSON, quarterback, University of San Diego
These two players are quite unlikely to be drafted by the Steelers at all, and certainly not in the first round. I list them here, because they were two of my favorite players in college football over the past few years. And, if somehow they ended up on the Steelers...well...it would make my draft.
Schmitt is what football is all about: heart. Schmitt is the quintessential "man's man" of a football player, a throwback if you will. He has jacked up teeth, scars across his face from playing without his helmet (which often becomes dislodged from his powerful blocks), and a mohawk. In short, the kid excels due to a burning passion and a "never quit" attitude. For those of you who saw him shed tears after his final game as a Mountaineer and you did not become a tad choked up...well...you must not have a heart. Watching this young man, with blood running down his face (from one of his aforementioned blocks) become teary eyed when talking about his love of his teammates...simply, if you give me eleven of him, I guarantee a championship.
Josh Johnson is the first (in what will be a long line) of quarterbacks developed by Jim Harbaugh. Johnson came to USD as a talented but extremely raw player. A few years later, he is entering the draft as a well-honed quarterback. All the nay-sayers can point to the lack of superior competition...but, Josh not only met every challenge head-on, he is coachable. In other words, the term "upside" might have been invented for this kid.
AND THE WINNER IS...
Come draft day, I will be extremely pleased when either Phillip Merling or Mike Jenkins drops to the Steelers. Similarly, I will hope (but not hold my breath) that Vernon Gholston somehow slips twenty spots past where he is projected. I will simultaneously keep my fingers crossed that neither Aqib Talib nor Gosder Cherilus are selected by the Steelers. All hopes and wishes aside, I am prepared to hear the names Devin Thomas, Limas Sweed, or Sam Baker called on draft day...and I will smile...and then have a donut-induced coronary...and then eat another slice of pizza, as I prepare for round two.
