Another Take on the Steelers Draft

There’s been a lot of talk about the Steelers weekend draft and if it did what the team wanted. Michael Lombardi, long-time NFL personnel man now at the National Football Post, gives his take on what the Steelers did to add some depth to their Super Bowl roster.

Monday, I mentioned how much I love coach Mike Tomlin and how he understands player development. I wasn’t saying he could coach anyone and make them a player, but on paper, this draft fills many of the Steelers’ needs — and player development will be a key component. I liked both corners they selected in the middle rounds, and Mike Wallace might have been the fastest player I watched on tape all year. He can fill the Nate Washington role perfectly as a field stretcher.

Third-round pick Kraig Urbik is a traditional Steelers lineman — tough, hard-nosed, loves football and has some inside positional flexibility. Evander “Ziggy” Hood, their first-round pick, will be fun to watch as he transitions into the Steelers’ 3-4 scheme. He’s very athletic and can run, something that’s required the Steelers’ defense.