NFL Draft Info - Pittsburgh Steelers

Why the Holmes trade was made and how it will affect The Steelers Draft?

I called my brother at 11:45 pm last night (April 11) and said “the Steelers just traded Santonio Holmes to the Jets for a fifth round pick.”  There was silence, and a single word said, “Wow.”  That’s all he could say, we both have the same thought, “in the Steelers (mainly the Rooney’s) we trust.”  That is the truth, the Steelers time and time again have made moves that make you scratch your head and then pay off the next year, look at Jason Gildon, Levon Kirkland, Chris Hope, Yancy Thigpen, Bam Morris, and the list goes on.

Back to Holmes, the guy had a break out playoff season and was the Superbowl MVP, and that carried into his best statistical season ever, 79 catches, 1248 yards, and 5 touchdowns.  What people do not always remember is that he was arrested multiple times, in May 2006 for disorderly conduct in Florida and the a month later for domestic violence, all charges were dropped and he paid a fine in Florida.  He was then arrested in October 2008 for marijuana and was benched for a game by Mike Tomlin.  According to sources, that was his last chance and the amazing play in the playoffs and Superbowl earned him another year.  Now he has another criminal case involving violence against a woman and it was recently reported that he will be suspended for 4 games next season for violating the NFL substance abuse policy.  That is not good for a guy that is entering the final year of his contract.

Now he is shipped off to the Jets and the Steelers draft now has to be re-evaluated.  Personally, I feel that they had thoughts about Holmes and that is why they signed Randle-El and Arnez Battle and with the emergence of Mike Wallace, the Steelers must feel pretty good at the WR position.

Does this mean that the Steelers will spend a draft pick on a Wide Receiver?  The answer is a resounding YES.  The Steelers need a guy that replaces Holmes right now, and Limas Sweed is not the answer.

With so much press always going to the Rooney’s (and it should they have owned the team since forever), Kevin Colbert has emerged as a first class GM and has a great eye for talent and works well with his coaches to get the right guys.  I feel that this is a huge draft for the Steelers, an opportunity to get some great talent and to transition some of the aging backups for young up and comers.

The Steelers have 10 picks in the 2010 draft, but 6 of those picks are in rounds 5-7, therefore they need to hit on the first few picks in the draft.

Round One- Pick 18

I have seen the “experts” mention many different names some of which I agree with, some I do not.  They need offensive line help, but do not always spend the top picks on this position.  With Chris Kemoeatu emerging as a very good guard, they need to add another decent OG to the roster.  Mike Iupati (http://www.mikeiupati.com/index.html), from Idaho fits the bill, he is 6-5, 331, big, powerful, and athletic.  He is the second non BCS player to qualify for the Outland Trophy, and he is still learning football.  Another lineman named is Trent Williams from Maryland and Bryan Buluga from Iowa if he falls to them.

Another way to go is defensive back, and if Joe Hayden (http://www.mockingthedraft.com/2010/1/3/1232426/joe-haden-nfl-draft-scouting-report) from Florida is there, they surely will pick him with no questions.  He had a great career at Florida and his stock dropped a little as his 40 time was not the best, but he is a hell of a corner.  Other names I have heard is Taylor Mays, S, USC, as much as I like him, he doesn’t have the covering skills yet.  Earl Thomas is another name that surfaces, but Haden and the lineman would need to be gone for them to take these guys.

Dark Horse Pick- Jahvid Best- RB, Cal, speedster would add a different dimension to the Steelers backfield.

Round Two- Pick 52

This is the pick that they should grab a WR, as this is a deep draft for WRs, but more for the long term starters, rather than the “big time playmakers.”  Depending how the first round goes, as there are teams that are desperate for WR help (Titans, Jags, Bills, etc) names like Golden Tate (ND), Marshawn Gilyard (Cincy), Damian Williams (USC) may be available in the second round.

Depending on how the Steelers feel about the WRs they have on their roster, Tate and Gilyard are the most NFL ready guys in my opinion.  Golden Tate can run the routes, has great hands, decent speed, and can make the acrobatic catches.  Gilyard is more like Holmes at the time that he was drafted, great straightaway speed, but not too physical, he also is compared to DeSean Jackson for his lackluster route running, but the Steelers do not rely on precision routes as teams like the Colts do.

Other WRs that could be options are Brandon LeFell, LSU, 6-3, 209, Arrelious Benn, Il, 6-2, 214, and Demaryius Thomas, GT, 6-3, 229.

Or they could spend one of later round picks on Freddie Barnes, 6-0, 215 (http://espn.go.com/ncf/player/profile?playerId=170533), not the fastest guy in the world and he was not even invited to the draft combine, but how can you ignore 155 catches, 1770 yards, and 19 touchdowns?  He is a projected fifth round pick and the Steelers have two picks in that round, let’s wait and see.

Enjoy the draft!