Steelers Draft Day
An Early Look
By Tony DeFazio

As draft day nears, the Steelers front office is up to their ears in scouting reports of players from all over the country. Like every team in today's NFL, Pittsburgh has holes to fill - perhaps none, though, stand out like the team's needs along the offensive line. With perennial All-Pro Alan Faneca on his way out the door, and with a glaring need at center, expect Mike Tomlin's second draft to include at least a few road graders.

Michigan tackle Jake Long will be long-gone by the time the Steelers draft, but there are plenty of good tackle prospects in the first round. Pitt's Jeff Otah, Ryan Clady of Boise State, Vanderbilt's Chris Williams and Southern Cal's Sam Baker are all first-rounders and chances are at least one will still be on the board. Any of the four would be a solid pick, even with Max Starks likely to return. Two guards might be better fits-on paper, at least-and they are Virginia's Brenden Albert and USC's Chilo Rachal.

Boise State's Ryan Clady is smooth and has a great frame that can easily handle another 20 pounds. The 6-6, 315 pounder is a patient, intelligent and agile lineman whose upside will likely have him off the board before the Steelers get a shot at him.

Pitt tackle Jeff Otah is an inexperienced player who spent just two years at Pitt after arriving from Valley Forge Junior College. He improved almost game-by-game as a senior, however, and in a system where he is not forced to start right away could be a great acquisition.

Southern Cal's Sam Baker has the size, physical tools and intellectual smarts to be a great NFL offensive tackle. His injury issues will concern some teams, as he missed all or parts of five games in 2007. When healthy, Baker was dominant.

Chris Williams of Vanderbilt, who showed great speed and agility at the recent NFL combine, has enough "negatives" that he will likely fall to late in the first round. He's considered a finesse player and that might give the Steelers pause.

Chilo Rachal of USC looks like a prototype NFL guard but lacks the quickness some spread-oriented teams are looking for. He's got great explosiveness and leg-drive and should be a top run blocker right away, but he may need some time to development as a pass blocker.

Brenden Albert of Virginia is the guy PSR likes. The Steelers need to upgrade the line and Albert is a big (6-7, 310 pounds) player who can play either guard or tackle. He could be a right tackle and allow Willie Colon to move to guard. NFL Hall of Famer Howie Long, who's son Chris played with Albert at UVA, called Albert one of the best guards he's seen in space, which is a good sign for a team that wants to make him a tackle. The junior could very well be gone by the time the Steelers pick at 23. He played left tackle for two games last season and graded out extremely well. Great size, good initial quickness, solid pass blocker.

Steelers Sleepers: Pitt offensive tackle Mike McGlynn
McGlynn has good feet, good balance, good agility and great versatility, He played guard and tackle as a senior, and has long-snapped since his freshman season. There's nothing flashy but a lot solid about McGlynn, and Pitt's coaches love him.

Rutgers offensive guard Jeremy Zuttah
Zuttah ran a blistering sub-5.0 forty at the combine, but lacks the size most teams want. He gets by on quickness, smarts and toughness, and may have peaked as a college player, but he's worth a look and uses his athleticism as well as anyone in the draft.

Arkansas' guard Robert Felton, Arkansas
The versatile lineman played all over the line at Arkansas but may be better served playing guard at the next level. Smart and strong but struggles against top-end edge rushers.

Maryland center Andrew Crummey
A huge center at 6-5, 310, Crummey can play center or guard and continued to get better as his college career progressed.

Matt Spanos, USC - Journeyman tackle until becoming a starter at center as a senior.

Roy Schuening, Oregon State - a natural guard who played a little LT as a senior

Kory Lichtensteiger, Bowling Green - He can play either center or guard, but has only played in a shotgun formation.

Steve Justice, Wake Forest - Too small, too slow, too weak. Yet Justice dominated ACC defensive tackles all season.