Steelers Draft Review

Posted on May 16, 2009 by admin

Pittsburgh Steelers
Picks: DL Evander Hood, OL Kraig Urbik, WR Mike Wallace, CB Keenan Lewis, CB Joe Burnett, RB Frank Summers, DT Ra’Shon Harris, C A.Q. Shipley, TE David Johnson

The Steelers are entering 2009 fresh off their thrilling Super Bowl win over the Arizona Cardinals. Although they won the Super Bowl they still did have needs which they looked to address in the draft. With the last pick in round one the Steelers took defensive lineman Evander Hood from Missouri. Hood played defensive tackle at Missouri but will play defensive end in the Steelers 3-4 scheme. I don’t think he is the best fir for their scheme because Hood is more of a pass rusher and not the guy to take on multiple blockers. Their next pick didn’t come until the third round where they selected offensive lineman Kraig Urbik. Urbik is a big, physical guard who will be a mauler in the run game for the Steelers. Another third round pick, Mike Wallace, is a burner at receiver at should help to fill the role of departed Nate Washington. They also selected Keenan Lewis in the third round, who should compete to start right away for a starting cornerback job. Seventh round pick A.Q. Shipley could be a late round gem for the Steelers. The Steelers did a good job addressing their needs but didn’t address the offensive line enough and the fit on Hood is questionable.
Grade: C+