Steelers will draft OL 1st ,2nd rounds

Just as they did last year when it became obvious that LB was going to be getting thin they drafted Lawrence Timmons and Lamarr  Woodley to replace Joey Porter and Clark Haggins. This year the OL needs the same attention that was paid to the LBs last draft. This year they've lost  Alan Fanaca and next year they will porbably let Marvel Smith walk plus unless they sign Max Starks to a long term deal than he could be gone this year also if not for sure next year. And on top of that Chris Kemoeatu and Trai Essex have only 1 year deals. So that leaves them with Sean Mahan, Kendall Simmons, Willie Colon, and Justin Hartwig as the OL signed beyond this season. I think that Mahan will be gone when his deal is up and if Hartwig shows he can handle the job for them than I think they will sign him long term say 5-6 yrs. they also have Jason Capizzi, Darnell Stapleton, Matt Lentz and Jeremy Parquet on the roster as practice squad members.

I for 1 would not be upset if they spent most of this draft looking to add to the OL. They will take a T or a G they can convert in the 1st and in the 2nd they will find a G that has dropped. Look at how this team has drafted in the 2000s they have had very good success in the early rounds at getting they players they've needed no doubt in my mind that after the draft the Ol won't be a problem again for at least 7-10 yrs. Seeing how the line looks this would be my course of action.

Ive got to disagree big chuck, I think we will go o-line in either rd. one or two but not both. This draft is extremely deep in talent on the o-line and since we have the line pretty much sured up for next year we can take a less developed player and give him time to mature. Possibly Northern Iowa's Chad Rhinehart (G)- All the physical attributes but a bit raw since he easily excelled against the talent he played in 1-AA. Will go 4th rd. at the earliest

Yes this draft is deep with OL help at different levels that is why I think that they will take advantage of that and take this chance to fix the line for years to come at 2 or 3 spots and at a cheaper price. Look at who they have on the roster signed beyond next season and its easy to see that this is where they will go.  They could land 2 starters to anchor that line and maybe find a steal later in the draft. If Kemoeatu and Hartwig show they can handle the full time job than I think they will be signed long term. This would allow them to address other positions in the future as they arise. Look at how they have drafted over the last 5 yrs they didn't put much into the line because they had consistent starters so they filled needs such as QB,WR,TE P,S,LB. Taking care of the line now will allow them to upgrade DL,CB,WR,RB in future drafts while the line is consistent again.

Keeping Ben on his feet would of probably changed the outcome of a couple of games last season and it was the achillies heel of this team

This is what I hope happens:

1. Bredan Alpert - OG - Virginia

2. John Sullivan - OC - Notre Dame

3. Peyton Hillis - FB - Arkansas or Jordy Nelson - WR - KSU?

4. Kendell Langford - DE - Hampton

5. Zuttah - OT - Rutgers

6. Jehuu Caulcrick - RB - MSU

Chuck,

I think 1 OL in the first two rounds. Phillip Merling is a stud, currently injured and could fall into our laps. Our DL is on the decline, guys have peaked, we need an inlux of youth. smcndfan is right, at some point DL will be adressed. They brought in 2 DL for visits right off the bad. Although I truely beleive that Jordy Nelson will be the big target ben ones and be our #3 reciever after camp, Dre Moore is a real solid pick if we take Albert in the first round. If we do in fact go for Merling, then I gotta campaing for Chilo Rachal in round 2.

Take a look at the WAR BOARD thread I started, you will see how the rest of us are thinking for about 100 players. It is a work in progress, we are going to have a final product, round by round, by need and by best player availble. If you have time read all the posts, there is a lot of good info pulled out of every imaginable source.

nybites