STEELERS 101

In evaluating prospects for this years NFL Draft, with an eye toward the Pittsburgh Steelers, it appears that unlike past years, it may be easier to place the mid to late round selections, than nailing their first rounder. While there is a lot of talent available, the highly regarded players that meet needs may already be off the board by pick 24. Since the Steelers and General Manager Kevin Colbert are known to stick to their board and draft their highest rated player vice drafting for need, they may want to continue that practice this season, instead of reaching for a need.

  

One player that may fit the bill for the Steelers is Penn State Defensive Tackle Devon Still. Sure, the Steelers need to get a young Nose Tackle to groom as a replacement Casey Hampton more than a 3-4 Defensive End, but Still has black and gold bloodlines (cousin of former LB Levon Kirkland) and is regarded as one of the best run-stuffing interior defensive linemen in this draft.

At 6-4, 310 pounds, his build may be better suited outside in the Steelers defense, but he is a mauler, who holds his one at the point of attack and has enough strength to be an anchor. Unfortunately, although he has been healthy and rising performer over the past two seasons, he will have to answer some questions about his injury history, as he missed time early in his career with two significant lower-body injuries.

In this draft, the Steelers must continue to address their defensive line. However, they may be sitting in nowhere land in the first round. With this year’s class of interior defensive linemen being all over place in position rankings, there is no way to predict where some of these people will land. Knowing that fact, Still maybe long gone before their selection, and even if he is there, he may not fit the bill for what they are looking for (unless they decide to move DE Ziggy Hood to the Nose). One thing is certain though, he s a first-round talent and one that could help retool the Steelers aging defense.

Tags: Devon Still, Football, NFL, NFL Draft, Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Steelers

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