Getting Draft Ready: PFW's Top Ten

The good folks at Pro Football Weekly have come up with a list of who they project will go at draft spots one through ten, and there are a couple of points that it raises that should be of interest to Steelers fans.

Most immediate is the report that Kansas City Chiefs head coach Herm Edwards is enamored with offensive tackle Jeff Otah. Mr. Otah has been widely projected as being someone in whom the Steelers may have interest. If Mr. Otah is really a top five player then, even of the Chiefs pass on him, he is certain to be chosen prior to the #23 slot where the Steelers reside.

The second point of interest is with the two divisional opponents -- Baltimore (#8) and Cincinnati (#9) -- who choose in the top ten. The belief is that would love to choose a quarterback, but is more likely to go with a cornerback -- specifically Brandon Flowers . . . or Leodis McKelvin. Meanwhile,PFW indicates that Cincinnati is looking for a defensive end to replace Justin Smith, who is expected to leave via free agency. According to this report the Bengals are interested in either Derrick Harvey (a player at least one mock draft had the Steelers choosing) or Phillip Merling.

Finally, the plummeting prospects of Darren McFadden, despite a very solid performance at the NFL Combine, may present the Steelers' brain trust with a situation that is equal parts quandary and opportunity. Namely if Mr. McFadden is available at #23 would the Steelers be willing to forego drafting a player at a "need" position? An article in Monday's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette -- which incorrectly states that the Steelers are selecting twenty-second in round one of the draft -- quotes head coach Mike Tomlin as saying that "I . . . think this is an awesome draft and we have an opportunity to look at guys at some different positions and look at the best guy available if you will. I think we can take that approach as we push through the draft" (emphasis added).

Time will tell just how committed the Steelers are to that philosophy.

Getting Draft Ready: Ourlads' Ratings

We've made no secret that Ourlads Scouting Services is one of our favorite sources for quality information on draft eligible college football players. Sure they still deliver their reports through the U.S. mail, but despite their rejection of a more modern delivery system it's tough to find fault in the work they do.

So as we look forward to the NFL combine we'll share some of what Ourlads has to say about the players available at the positions the Steelers are most likely looking at.

Offensive Tackles
Overall this group is rated as "average," with Jake Long (Michigan) identified as the best available prospect. As for players who might be available to the Steelers, Ourlads says of Gosder Cherilus (Boston College) that he is "more of a natural right tackle on the next level." And Oulads indicates that Jeff Otah (Pittsburgh) is "a work in progress."

Based upon those assessments it would seem unlikely that other would be a starter in 2008, much less an impact player.

Offensive Guard
While this group also has an overall rating of "average," the top two prosects -- Roy Schuening (Oregon State) and Drew Radovich (USC) -- both get high marks. Ourlads describes Mr. Schuening as "physical and explosive," while Mr. radovich is "aggressive and does a good job using his hands to control a defender."

With Alan Faneca all but out of town, and the drop-off from the #1 offensive tackle to those that follow rather steep, this might be a better option for Pittsburgh on draft day.

Cornerback
We have always called on the Steelers to choose more offensive linemen in the early rounds, so it is somewhat ironic that we now suggest that cornerback might be the best position for the Steelers in round one.

According to Ourlads #1 corner Antoine Cason (Arizona) "has always been matched up on the opponent's best receiver," #2 corner Terrell Thomas (USC) "is a big cover two type corner," and #3 corner Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (Tennessee State) "is a lean cover corner."

Anyone of these players seems capable of challenging for playing time in 2008, and would likely be a special teams contributor immediately.