Setting the Steelers' Draft Board - 2007

It's been a difficult draft season. With a coaching change, scheme questions, the loss of two Pro Bowlers and a pending glut of future free agents, the Steelers' #15 overall pick has turned into a mysterious entity with most of us unable to develop a clear idea of whom the Steelers might target early in the draft.

It's been more predictable in the past. While few believed that the Steelers would be in a position to draft Santonio Holmes in 2006, most believed that the need at WR would be filled in the first round, though it was Chad Jackson and Sinorice Moss who were most connected to the Steelers.

Heath Miller was practically a given in 2005. Need and value converged, though his uneven second season is now a cause for concern.

In 2007, there are needs all over the place. The only position without need is quarterback, though another young arm wouldn't hurt. Every other group needs to find help in the next two drafts. 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.

Unfortunately, and only 14 months removed from a Super Bowl, the Steelers need to restock their roster. Fortunately, they've got enough veteran bodies around to spackle the holes and keep things respectable, but the writing is on the wall - this teams needs talent.

The upside of roster change is draft flexibility. When you have so many needs to fill over a two year window, you can start off by moving more towards a BPA philosophy. In this draft, that's a great thing because of the way the players are clustered - positions of greatest need aren't necessarily positions of greatest value as you move through the rounds. They also aren't dependent on this draft for roster filler - they can take some smart risks and not end up shorthanded.

There are 11 players who are very likely to be in the Steelers' sights in the first two rounds. They span 4 different positions, with almost even numbers at each spot. They have also all been brought in for official visits. Though it is entirely possible that the Steelers could draft someone early whom they haven't interviewed, the chances in reality are slim.

This year, the evidence points to the fact that they don't have one particular target, that they are going to try to get two of the guys on their list in the first two rounds with little regard to the immediacy of the needs and more emphasis on simply getting difference makers. This is not an attempt to gaze into the crystal ball to determine who the first round pick will be, but is an effort to set the board that they'll work off of for the first two rounds. The list of 11 follows.

Amobi Akoye
Why They Would Take Him
He would be the perfect partner for Hampton in a future 43. At 19 years old, he's only going to get better. He has the first step quickness to be an immediate contributor as an inside pass rusher on passing downs, something that is direly needed regardless of scheme.

Why They Wouldn't Take Him
He doesn't fit into the 34 right now. His weight has fluctuated wildly. Could be part of him growing up, or could be that he's naturally small for a DT and will have trouble gaining and holding weight. Got a lot of pressure at Louisville, but often struggled to make the sack. Might be too light against power running teams. He might be gone before their pick.

Leon Hall
Why They Would Take Him
Bad corner depth. Who knows what kind of season the Steelers will get from Ike Taylor, Bryant McFadden and Deshea Townsend, who all went backwards for different reasons in 2006. Hall was a good corner at a big program who put up great measurables at the combine.

Why They Wouldn't Take Him
Potential at corner. Taylor has certainly shown that he can be a top cover man. McFadden was exceptional as a rookie. Townsend isn't bad if you only have to play him in packages. Hall couldn't stop great receivers at the college level. Doesn't play to his timed speed. Might not be special or worth the 15th pick. He might be off the board due to the way teams overvalue cornerbacks.

Adam Carriker
Why They Would Take Him
He's the prototype 34 DE. He's game ready. He was productive. He had a Senior Bowl for the ages. He's a very high character player, person and teammate. He could fit at a few different positions in the Tampa Two.

Why They Wouldn't Take Him
He might not be there. San Francisco is said to be in love with him. 34 ends aren't typically a good first round value. Richard Seymour is extremely special and is not the norm - Carriker is no Richard Seymour. Smith and Keisel are signed long-term. He can't fill the edge rush role in a Tampa Two, and the other positions are theoretically filled by the holdovers.

Darrelle Revis
Why They Would Take Him
He's a playmaker with great football savvy and a sixth sense for playing cornerback. He tested better than expected and offers good size. He can also help as a returner, and is a high character player.

Why They Wouldn't Take Him
Hard to grade once teams stopped throwing at him. Got bored at times with inaction and would lose technique. Might not play as fast as he times. Does not always show catch up speed or the ability to make up for a mistake.

Lawrence Timmons
Why They Would Take Him
Can play a variety of positions in a variety of schemes. Despite average size, was effective with his hand down as a passing down DE in college. Is a productive player against run and pass. Plays bigger than his size. Shows great awareness and instincts. Mike Tomlin is a fan.

Why They Wouldn't Take Him
He's not a great value at #15, and he likely won't be there at #46. He lacks height for a 34 outside linebacker, though he has all of the other measurable tools. Will likely struggle against NFL offensive linemen in one on one situations. He loses his tackling technique at times.

Chris Houston
Why They Would Take Him
Could be a more physical Darrell Green. Green-like pure speed. An aggressive press corner with good instincts. Is feisty and will hit people. Would be a great fit in a Tampa Two defense, a super athletic Ronde Barber.

Why They Wouldn't Take Him
Doesn't play up to his measurables all the time. Is a cornerback under 5'10", which is usually a bad first round value. The Steelers haven't played much press lately. They might be scouting him for the 2nd round, but he might not last until their pick.

Ikaika Alama-Francis
Why They Would Take Him
He's a freak of nature, and he's becoming more imposing. Was dominant at Hawaii on occasion. He would fit at multiple positions in both the 34 and the 43, and would be an instant upgrade as the RDE in the 4 man line in packages.

Why They Wouldn't Take Him
He's extremely raw as an ex-basketball player. His production was wildly inconsistent. Might fit best as an LDE in the 43, Keisel's future home if the 43 hits Pittsburgh. Likely looking at him in the 2nd round.

Jon Beason - Miami
Why They Would Take Him
He would be an instant upgrade over Larry Foote. Likes to hit stuff, and could do so from either inside position in a 34 and possibly from any position in a Tampa Two. Has the athleticism to be effective in coverage.

Why They Wouldn't Take Him
Is smaller than they typically like. Didn't work out as well as expected. Fits best as a WLB in a 43, but he might not be special in that role. Doesn't always show great instincts in coverage. Probably second round material.

Dwayne Jarrett
Why They Would Take Him
He lit up the college football world for the greater part of three seasons. Has rare size and very good hands. Makes difficult catches in traffic. Is a physical receiver with enough speed to get down the field. Wins jump balls.

Why They Wouldn't Take Him
Didn't run well during his workout, which was to be expected. His speed doesn't hurt him down the field, but his lack of explosiveness hurts him at the line and getting into and out of cuts. Might be limited as far as what routes he can run effectively at the pro level. Has a reputation as a showman, though his so-called "antics" were never a problem while at USC. They might be holding out hope that he falls to the second round.

Sidney Rice - South Carolina
Why They Would Take Him
Carried the passing game to respectability on a team without a quarterback. Explosive with great size and great hands and hand-eye coordination. Will make spectacular catches. 39 1/2" vertical speaks to his natural explosiveness.

Why They Wouldn't Take Him
Not the most polished route runner, and he has problems getting off the line against press coverage. Is thin for his size and lacks strength. Does not break tackles or have many moves in run after the catch situations. He's probably a 2nd round target.

Anthony Spencer
Why They Would Take Him
Is the closest thing to what they're looking for as a tweener 34 OLB. Has a variety of skills and was generally productive at Purdue. Uses great technique, anticipation and instincts to contribute. Will generally stack and shed against the run. Has the bulk to hold up as a 43 defensive end.

Why They Wouldn't Take Him
He's not a great pass rusher. He lacks the explosiveness to run around a tackle, and the strength to engage and counter. Would be a liability in coverage. Is quick off the snap because of timing, not foot quickness. Does not make game changing plays and does not fare well against top competition. Likely a 2nd round possibility.