On the first day of the NFL combine I knew this draft was going to be wide open. Most drafts you can sit there with a defined list of the top twenty prospects from each position. The 2008 draft was very unique; every time I made a list it would change two day’s later. I stated weekly I have no clue what the Steelers were going to do…If I would have told you one week ago the Steelers will draft the number two rated running back in the draft in round one and the third best wide receiver in the draft in round two without trading you would think I smoked myself retarded.

I traditionally grade drafts harshly…I rarely agree with the main stream media. I follow one team religiously The Pittsburgh Steelers…Some of you will disagree with my grading I accept and welcome it.

1^st Round

Rashard Mendenhall Running Back Illinois

I believe this is a great pick. He is a four tool back. He can run the ball between the tackles, bounce the ball to the edge…Mendenhall runs with a great body lean, low pads and great vision. Mendenhall is a very good receiver out of the back field…He has the ability to split out wide and run routes…Mendenhall is fantastic in blitz pickup.

He is a perfect compliment to Willie Parker. Mendenhall is twenty years young with little wear and tear on his body. The question marks you hear about Mendenhall are two fold. Ball security…This is an issue and he must improve…He was awful as a sophomore…Improved as a junior. Mendenhall didn’t play hard until he became a starter. I say bull poo.

Final thoughts…Mendenhall may have been the best back between the tackles in this years draft…I am elated with the pick.

2^nd Round

Limas Sweed WR Texas

Another great pick…Way to Go Colbert!!! Sweed is the big target Ben asked for. Sweed is a great talent…He was the top rated Wr on my board for this draft. Sweed is the only “Big Wr” in this draft who regularly gets separation to beat man coverage. Sweed is 6-5 he runs sub 4.5 with big soft hands…He understands how to use that big body to shield defensive backs and attack the ball at its highest point. Sweed is a very willing blocker with great character.

The Sweed pick made my first day…The major knock on Sweed is his route running. I disagree with that view…Vince Young and Colt McCoy are great leaders -  both have struggled with accuracy throwing the ball. Sweed is a hard worker…TO and Randy Moss struggle with route running as well…They had decent 2007 seasons…Sometimes big men don’t look pretty. Sweed’s wrist injury checked out.

Final thoughts…Two years down the road at this time we still will be talking how much of a steal Sweed was in round 2.

Round 3

Bruce Davis UCLA Linebacker

Davis has a motor that doesn’t stop…He is relentless getting up field and attacking the passer. He anticipates the snap count and beats tackles out of their stance. I don’t like this pick…I really like the player…I don’t see where he fits. Davis opened his career at outside linebacker for the Bruins…Was moved inside to defensive end his junior year and exploded for 24 sacks and 43 tackles for loss over 2 seasons. Davis drove PAC 10 tackles nuts.

Davis was supposedly very impressive at his pro day workouts and at the combine playing in space. If Davis can drop into coverage and make plays…This pick was brilliant. I expect Davis to rush the passer and give Woodley and Harrison a blow in nickel and dime looks in 2008. Davis has all the intangibles you look for in a player. He plays hard, he plays with a passion, he is a very sound tackler…He leaves everything he has on the field.

Final thoughts…There is no denying Davis can rush the quarterback and cause chaos in the opposing team’s back field…If the Steelers are right and Davis can drop into coverage he will be a steal.

Round 4

Tony Hills Texas OT

Hills was an awful pick. He does nothing well. He is weak at the point of attack. He has slow feet…He is undersized and lacks playing strength. I would not have signed Hills as an undrafted free agent. I can’t think of a single quality player Hills faced in college and he failed to dominate…He actually was dominated.

Slow weak and small don’t feed the bull dog in the NFL

Final thoughts…Think Paul Wiggins…Think Chris Conrad…Think Kris Farris…Yeah that bad

Round 5

Dennis Dixon Oregon QB

Dixon has NFL arm strength. Dixon has NFL heart and composure. Dixon has a lot of tools to work with. Pre Knee injury he was a legit 4.5 guy…He out ran most defenders he faced. Dixon is not a scrambler and he is willing to read a defense…He has stones like Ben…He will sit in the pocket and take a pounding to hit the open receiver.

I have an opinion on drafting a quarterback…The player must be able to lead…Dixon is a natural leader. The player must have enough arm strength to make the opposing team respect the vertical passing game…Dixon has plenty of arm strength. The player must be able to process information quickly and make sound decisions with the ball…This I am not sure of…The players must have 2 seasons starting with at least a 60% completion percentage…Dixon does.

Final Thoughts…Charlie Batch is 34 years young…Ben plays quarterback like a kamikaze…Dixon has a lot of tools to work with…Pre Injury he was considered a second round pick…I would have preferred a defensive end…Dixon could develop into a quality player and become an asset to trade away in the future

Round 5 B

Mike Humpal Iowa LB

Tough farm boy with plenty of heart…He is a far better athlete then most people expect. Humpal doesn’t have blazing straight line speed…He plays sideline to sideline with plenty of quickness…He reads blocking schemes as well as any backer in this draft. Tom Bradley defensive coordinator at Penn St compared Humpal’s skill set and passion for the game to a former Steelers linebacker…Jack Ham.

Humpal is a run stuffing machine. He reads… He reacts…He tackles…The whistle is blown…Time for the next play. Humpal also does a decent job in zone coverage…He struggles to open his hips and run with a back or a tight end…He won’t be asked to do that often in Pittsburgh. Humpal doesn’t look pretty…He just gets the job done.

Final Thoughts…At this time next year at least ten of you will own Humpal Jerseys…He is not flashy…He is just consistent…He also hits like a cement truck when he comes free. I expect Humpal to contribute on special teams in 08…He could replace Farrior in 09

Round 6

Ryan Mundy FS Woody High

If he makes the team I will be amazed.

Final Thoughts…See above

I would also like to take the time to welcome Perch to the staff.