Another Day At The Office

Today should be a huge day for players who played high school football in the Western Pennsylvania region to get drafted.  One was selected by the Steelers in Ohio State OT Mike Adams. Adams grew up in Farrell, PA but played his high school football in Dublin, OH.  The Steelers obviously went with 2 offensive linemen to attempt to shore up an area of need.  Stanford's David DeCastro has the ability to come in and have an impact right away at a OG slot.  As does Ohio State's Mike Adams who can become the third tackle behind Willie Colon and Marcus Gilbert.  It can happen that these players can make an impact immediately but also they can create a higher level of competition at these positions.  The third round selection, ILB Sean Spence is a solid inside linebacker who can make plays from sideline to sideline and penetrate the gaps.  Today(Day 3 of the Draft)can be very interesting.  The Steelers have 7 choices remaining.  You can find some gems in these 4th through 7th rounds.  The Steelers have 4 seventh round selections and may use a few to trade up in a round.  But one of the Steelers best 7th round selections of all time is DE Brett Kiesel.  We will find out when training camp rolls around.

One pick at a Time

Interesting time of the year for the draftniks out there.  Who are the Steelers going to draft or who should the Steelers draft in the First Round.  The Steelers front office has done very well in their # 1 selections during the last decade.  Picking #24 leaves the door open for a pick that could surprise many Steelers fans. But it looks good that Alabama ILB Dont'a Hightower may be available at selection #24 Thursday night. And by the way, the Steeler faithful will be watching this draft closely like they have done in the past.  Rumor has it that the Baltimore Ravens may attempt to trade up and move ahead and choose Hightower before the Steelers make their selection.  It is just a rumor but it could happen.  Anyhow, what do the Steelers need?  Defensive Backs=Yes, Linebacker=Yes, Defensive linemen=Yes, Offensive Linemen=Yes, TE=No(with acquisition of Leonard Pope), Wide Outs=Maybe(depends on status of Mike Wallace), Running Backs=Maybe(depends on Mendenhall's injury status), QB=No(not yet).  There are a lot of players I like in this draft that the Steelers can get in mid to late rounds but one they should consider maybe in the first round is Wichita Falls, TX Midwestern State U. OG/OT Amini Silatolu.  Only a Division 2 player, this guy physically reminds me of former Steeler Carlton Hasselrig.

Remember in the 2011 drfat, only 4 Division players were selected. Let's take it one pick at a time.