The loss of guard Alan Faneca in free agency created a void along the offensive
line that the Steelers addressed in the fourth round with tackle Tony Hills.
Pittsburgh also addressed one of Ben Roethlisberger's biggest complaints -- a
tall receiver. Second-round pick Limas Sweed is 6-foot-4. The Steelers didn't
have a pressing need at running back, but Rashard Mendenhall adds some
explosiveness and was just too good to pass up in the first round
Round 1, Pick 23 (23)
Rashard Mendenhall RB 5'11" 210 Illinois
With Felix Jones off the board, Mendenhall is a much better fit for Pittsburgh's
style. While Mendenhall didn't win the starting job for two years, he enters the
league without a lot of wear-and-tear on his body. In his only season as the
featured back, he put up 1,681 yards and 17 touchdowns on 262 carries
Round 2, Pick 22 (53)
Limas Sweed WR 6'4" 212 Texas
Once again the Steelers have found themselves a game-changer at great value.
Many consider Sweed a Plaxico Burress-type receiver, with a 6-foot-4 frame and
long arms. If he stays in line, he could find the same success with the Steelers
that Burress had with Ben Roethlisberger before he left Pittsburgh.
Round 3, Pick 25 (88)
Bruce Davis DE 6'3" 252 UCLA
Davis did very well in his first extended time as a linebacker at the Senior
Bowl. He's a classic Steeler type of player. Davis is very bright and has a
knack for getting to the quarterback with his speed.
Round 4, Pick 31 (130) (From Giants)
Tony Hills OT 6'6" 305 Texas
Hills has battled injuries during his career. He started 24 games during his
time at Texas. He still has room to grow into his 6-foot-6 frame as a converted
tight end.
Round 5, Pick 21 (156)
Dennis Dixon QB 6'4" 205 Oregon
Dixon wants to play quarterback, but he can run, pass and catch. The Steelers
will incorporate him into some packages of their offense. He could be utilized
similar to Kordell Stewart in the last decade.
Round 6, Pick 22 (188)
Mike Humpal LB 6'3" 244 Iowa
Humpal battled injuries early in his career to become a productive linebacker at
Iowa. He has good size and will have a chance to stick around as a special teams
contributor and reserve linebacker.
Round 6, Pick 28 (194)
(From Packers through Giants)
Ryan Mundy FS 6'1" 215 West Virginia
Mundy is a safety who can run well. He's not real big, but was a productive
three-year starter at West Virginia.
Pittsburgh Steelers 2008 NFL Preview
The Steelers are essentially the
same defense that ranked No. 1 last year, plus they have several
promising new weapons on offense. The biggest question they are
going to have is whether Chris Kemoeatu
can replace Alan Faneca as the starting guard. We would guess this
will be a move the Steelers regret all season long. Oh, they will
still win a bunch of games and the division, but it just isn't going
to be the same ram it down your throat Steelers of old. Now they can
put up offensive passing numbers with the best of them.
The Steelers will spread the field and air it out, though don’t
think this means they’re getting away from their bread and butter on
the ground. Willie Parker
and RashardMendenhall have a chance
to be one of the finest running back tandems in the league.
Defense:
Last season the
Steelers led the
league in fewest
yards allowed, and
they gave up the
second fewest
points. There is
really no reason
that will change
much this year, sure
they only return ten
starters, but the
one who is coming in
as a starter is none
other than the new
starting linebacker
LaMarr Woodley. No
problem there.
Offense:
Yes losing Faneca
hurt, but
Roethlisberger will
have some great
outlets to throw to
this season. There
is number one
Hines Ward,
MVP of Super Bowl
XL. He’s 32 and
coming off a down
year, but he still
has some left in the
tank. The other
wideout is
Santonio Holmes,
Pittsburgh’s
third-year stud who
is on the cusp of
exploding. Then the
big receiver who Ben
Roethlisberger has
been begging for is
second-round pick
Limas Sweed,
a playmaker who can
go up and get the
ball. There is also
Heath Miller at
tight end to contend
with so Ben has
plenty of targets to
throw the ball to.
Then it just gets
better behind him
with Willie Parker
and
Rashard Mendenhall.
Everyone knows what
Parker can do, so
adding Mendenhall as
a versatile inside
runner who is
dynamic enough to go
the distance should
be a fine compliment
to the 209-pound
Parker. Last time
Pittsburgh had this
kind of duo, they
won a Super Bowl
behind Parker and a
guy they called
The Bus
Overall:
Everyone is picking
the Browns in the
AFC North, in part
because Pittsburgh
got out-muscled at
home by Jacksonville
in the playoffs last
year. But if you
look at Pittsburgh’s
roster, the only
question mark is the
offensive line. If
those issues can be
handled, this team
is every bit as
strong as Cleveland
and actually much
stronger in coaching
and in experience.
We like the Steelers
to take the AFC
North.
