Steelers 2006 Draft Board

Steelers Look to Fill Holes

The Steelers won the Super Bowl last year (typing that is NEVER going to get old) and they only lost 3 of their 14 free agents (plus one retirement). Therefore, they had a pretty solid team heading into this year's draft. They needed to fill the hole left by Antwaan Randle El at both receiver and kick returner, they needed more depth at safety, and they needed a power back to replace The Bus. They had other needs as well - depth on the offensive/defensive lines, a QB to replace Tommy Maddox - but those were less pressing. Many people ecpected the Steelers to take USC RB LenDale White with their first pick, and he was going to be available to them at #32. Instead, the Steelers pulled a surprrise and traded up with the Giants to take WR Santonio Holmes from the "The" college in the state next to us. The choice was definitely interesting because Holmes was the top-rated receiver in the draft, and usually at least one (if not three or four) receivers are taken in the top 25. But when Holmes was still around at #25, the Steelers traded New York a 3rd and 4th round pick to move up and take him.

So was it a good pick? I think so. Let's face it - are you really comfortable with Cedrick Wilson, Quincy Morgan, and Lee Mays? It's better to have more options, and a guy who made all-conference in the Big 10 the past two years is not a bad one. As an added bonus, he can also return kicks, which is probably the biggest aspect of Randle El's game that the team will miss next year. Should they have drafted White? Maybe, but the trend in the NFL these days is that running backs are a dime a dozen, and that any runner can succeed in the right system (just ask Willie Parker or anyone who has played for Denver in the past six years). Houston used this logic when they shockingly passed on Reggie Bush. The Steelers may get a power back elsewhere. Right now they are rumored to be dealing for Atlanta's TJ Duckett, which would be an absolutely great pickup. Even if they don't, I still think receiver/returner was the bigger need.

The Steelers pulled more surprises in the second round when they traded their pick to Minnesota to pickup two 3rd round choices. That is where they got their safety - Anthony Smith from Syracuse. It ended up being a good trade down because no safeties got picked up between their first two picks. Smith is said to be a productive but not great safety, and that's fine. They just need depth to either challenge Ryan Clark or to play 3rd downs, so he should fit in well. With their other 3rd round pick, the Steelers again went back to the receiver/returner position and nabbed Florida State wideout Willie Reid. Reid's biggest strength appears to be on the return side, and that's great. It's nice to see the Steelers finally focusing on special teams after allowing it to be the achilles heel for so many years. Credit Kevin Colbert with bringing that change in culture.

Round 4 brought another guy named Willie. Hofstra OG Willie Colon will bring add a 6-3, 320 pound backup at the guard spot. The other 4th round pick - DT Orien Harris from The U - will add depth at the defensive line. Fifth round choice Omar Jacobs is a QB from Bowling Green who can back up Roethlisberger and Batch next year. Apparently the Steelers like MAC quarterbacks, and who can argue with them right now? (although overall the Steelers really hit some major college programs for this year's crop).

The final picks included TE Charles Davis from Purdue and C Marvin Philip from Cal. Many people had the Steelers drafting a center early on to replace Jeff Hartings, who is almost certainly in his last year. Colbert kept saying that the team was high on Harting's backup Chukky Okobi, and apparently he was serious about that. Okobi has been on the team for five years but has barely seen any action, so I can see why people thought they were down on him, but maybe it's just because Hartings has been playing so well. The team finally took a RB with its final pick, but unforunately it was VT's Cedric Humes. I really don't like anyone who comes out of that school. I think "Beamer Ball" usually tends to translate into "NFL Bust", but then again, this guy really can't be a bust being a 7th round pick.

Overall I really think the team did a good job yet again. It always amazes me how they quietly go about putting together very solid drafts every year. Other teams get all the hype - like how everyone is praising Denver for trading up to draft a totally overrated quarterback when their own quarterback almost led them to the Super Bowl - but the Steelers come out as winners in the long run. That is why they WON THE SUPER BOWL last season and why they'll be on solid ground heading into next season.

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