The more things change, the more they stay the same.

In 2007's version of this article, I made the following statement:

"For too long, Bill Cowher retained serviceable journeymen as backups instead of young, developmental players with future starter potential. That's a great philosophy for generating stability, but it's lousy for restocking a roster with players who can be developed into future starters."

A year later and the same problem exists. Maybe it's Kevin Colbert.

In free agency, the Steelers re-signed journeyman DE's Travis Kirschke and Nick Eason and signed two career backups (Mewelde Moore and Keyaron Fox) to moderate contracts to provide depth. Short-term fixes that block answers to longer-term problems.

To their credit, the Steelers did move decisively to upgrade the center position by adding Justin Hartwig.

Don't get me wrong, having veterans as depth helps greatly with continuity and consistency. The Patriots won their first Super Bowl with a gaggle of cheap veterans who could fill a role with aptitude. However, the Patriots dismantled that blueprint as quickly as possible once their drafts began to bear fruit. Today, the Patriots have a solid, draft-built core that freed the payroll for high-wattage additions in free agency.

With only 6 picks and a rare zero compensatory selections, the Steelers don't have a lot of ammunition in 2008. Because they've stocked the roster with cheap FA's, there aren't a lot of holes when looking at the roster numerically. However, they've got a lot of work to do next offseason. Nate Washington, Marvel Smith, Chris Kemoeatu, Max Starks, Trai Essex, James Farrior and Bryant McFadden will all be free agents. A few of those guys will get new deals, but the 2008 Draft can help with the preparations for another difficult offseason.

For this reason, the Steelers' 2008 first round pick could come at any number of positions, with an eye towards filling a future need. The Steelers could construct a respectable roster for 2008 with the players they have under contract right now.

The same cannot be said for 2009, and with that in mind I give you my 2008 Steelers' draft board for the first round.

Jeff Otah
Why They Would Take Him
He has more raw ability than any other tackle in this class, including Jake Long. He has a chance to be dominant at a variety of positions, possibly even left tackle. Plays with a mean streak and finishes his man. Otah probably hasn't played his best football yet - he didn't start playing football until he was a senior in high school and only has two years' experience at the division one level.

Why They Wouldn't Take Him
He's unlikely to be on the board when they pick. Otah will be intriguing to both Carolina and Chicago well before the Steelers make their pick. The same aforementioned lack of experience means that he's raw and has some bust potential. His weight and fitness may become problems down the road. The Steelers appear set at right tackle, and that's Otah's most likely position.

Branden Albert
Why They Would Take Him
He's the prototype at left guard, the perfect choice to replace perennial All-Pro Alan Faneca. He can replace Faneca's ability to pull, and might be a better pass protector than Faneca right out of the box with his long arms and natural athleticism. An ability to transition to left tackle in the future only increases his value.

Why They Wouldn't Take Him
Will Albert be available as we all believed a month ago, or does the current Internet hype reflect real world interest? I have a hard time believing that Albert will be drafted in the top ten, but it would be surprising if he's still on the board at 23. Albert is a little raw at guard, let alone tackle, and still needs some coaching.

Gosder Cherilus
Why They Would Take Him
To increase traffic on Internet message boards. Cherilus is a solid right tackle prospect and a guy with a lot of tape to grade in a tough conference. He has extremely long arms and huge hands, and should be a solid run blocker right out of the gate. His pure size makes him tough to run around.

Why They Wouldn't Take Him
Right tackle is not a major need. Cherilus is slow and sometimes oafish. Pass protection is not his forte, as evidenced by his less than impressive stint at left tackle as a senior. He does not project at another line position.

Mike Jenkins
Why They Would Take Him
Can blanket receivers and gets his hands on a lot of balls. Is a natural athlete with great change of direction skills and a lot of upside athletically. Has long arms and a solid build. Jenkins fits into a variety of coverage schemes. Bryant McFadden is a free agent after this season, and Deshea Townsend is old.

Why They Wouldn't Take Him
He could be gone as early as the 7th pick, as there are 4 or 5 corners who will be slotted differently by each team. While he breaks up a lot of passes, he doesn't have a lot of picks to his credit, only 6 in 53 collegiate games. Jenkins isn't the most physical player, and can be hesitant in run support. The Steelers have traditionally favored taller corners.

Aqib Talib
Why They Would Take Him
Has the size the Steelers covet, though he's not as physical as his size would suggest. At 6'1", he can turn and run with most receivers. Had a great combine and proved to be a better athlete than expected. Can play man or zone and has great ball skills.

Why They Wouldn't Take Him
Carries a lot of off-field baggage. Despite great size and measurables, Talib was far from a shutdown corner in college. Jordy Nelson's abuse gets more press, but Maurice Purify of Nebraska destroyed him head-to-head as well. Thinks he's a lot better than he is, and likes to talk about it.

Malcolm Kelly
Why They Would Take Him
A great all-around football player. Runs nice routes, snatches the ball with his hands, makes blocks in the running game and scores big touchdowns. Has the potential to replace Hines Ward as the flanker, bringing better physical tools than Ward with the same kind of football intelligence.

Why They Wouldn't Take Him
Kelly shouldn't have bothered working out at all this draft season ala Lendale White - his stock would be higher right now. While his slow times at his Oklahoma pro day present a problem, most of the talk has centered on his immature reaction to them. Kelly has typically been a stand up guy, but he's raised a lot of questions as far as loyalty and professionalism.

Limas Sweed
Why They Would Take Him
Sweed offers a unique blend of size and athleticism. Has long arms and big hands and catches the ball very naturally when he's focused. Will fight for balls and should be a terrific red zone threat in the right system. With improved durability and more coaching, Sweed could be a legitimate #1 receiver in the NFL.

Why They Wouldn't Take Him
Many observers feel that Sweed should have dominated college football, and instead he mostly flashed his potential. Despite having soft hands, he dropped many catchable balls during his Texas career. He's a bit of a long strider who might have problems separating like Malcolm Kelly, but he's not the route runner that Kelly is, and he's no where near as fearless across the middle. Sweed probably belongs at Santonio Holmes' split end position in the Steelers offense.

Quentin Groves
Why They Would Take Him
In last year's version of this article, I mentioned in Lawrence Timmons' blurb that "Mike Tomlin is a fan." Well, the same applies to Groves. Groves is an athletic freak who projects perfectly as an impact player at ROLB. Incumbent (and Steelers MVP) James Harrison is getting older, and his domestic issues this offseason left egg on the Rooney family's face. The Giants won a Super Bowl by collecting gifted pass rushers.

Why They Wouldn't Take Him
Had a poor senior season after dislocating three toes. Recently had heart surgery. His work ethic and motor have been questioned, and he'll need some technique work after getting by mostly on athleticism. OLB isn't an immediate need that requires a first round pick, though some depth behind the top three is required.

Jonathan Stewart
Why They Would Take Him
Has all the tools to be a Pro Bowl running back, a workhorse around whom an offense can be built. Has stunning athleticism at superior size. Is a natural running back with vision and instincts who can also catch and block. The Steelers won a Super Bowl with a two-running back attack, and the Steelers currently lack a physical back who can salt away games on the ground.

Why They Wouldn't Take Him
There's a good chance that Stewart will be off the board when the Steelers pick. Willie Parker was leading the NFL in rushing when he broke his leg last year, and running back depth was improved with the offseason acquisition of Mewelde Moore.

Kentwan Balmer
Why They Would Take Him
Balmer is a big, stout guy who could play 2 gap DE for the Steelers. When Aaron Smith went down last year, the run defense suffered. When motivated, he's strong at the point of attack and offers above-average pursuit for a guy his size.

Why They Wouldn't Take Him
His "one big year" as a senior simply wasn't that impressive. Will never be a quality pass rusher. Might not have the tenacity to play 2 gap day in, day out. Classic underachiever. The Steelers traditionally don't take 34 defensive ends in the 1st round.

Phillip Merling
Why They Would Take Him
Shares some qualities with Richard Seymour. Is tall with long arms and some growth potential. Plays hard all the time and with great technique. Possesses a variety of pass rush moves, and knows how to use them. Would offer a lot of help in sub packages right away, and would grow into a starting position in a year or two.

Why They Wouldn't Take Him
The only reason Merling might be available is because he hasn't worked out this offseason because of a sports hernia, but the injury should not affect his availability for minicamps, let alone next season. I expect Merling to be long gone at #23. Merling would be a projection at 34 DE, which is always a risk when dealing with first round picks.