Pittsburgh Steelers - AFC North, 2008 Draft Selections & Prospects
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Draft Was
... Full of tremendous value. RB Rashard Mendenhall, WR
Limas Sweed, and QB Dennis Dixon could've gone much, much
earlier than they did and were great steals for the draft slot.
The Steelers got a bit quirky with DE Bruce Davis going so early
(the third round), but there's a chance he could be another
James Harrison. Best Value Pick: Rashard Mendenhall, RB Illinois. 1st
round. Considering the former Illini star might have been the
best running back in the draft, it was Christmas time getting
him so late in the first round. He should've gone in the top 15,
not the 23. Biggest Reach: Mike Humpal, LB Iowa. 6th Round. The hope
is for him to become a major player if he can stay healthy, but
he's limited. He doesn't do any one thing really well at an NFL
level. They Should've ... Given a bit more thought about Steve
Slaton. While the Steelers already took Mendenhall, and are
still planning on Willie Parker being back healthy in the near
future, they took Bruce Davis one pick ahead of the former
Mountaineer. A speed back like Slaton would've fit the offense
perfectly as a complement to Mendenhall's game.
#
Pick
23
23
1st Round
Rashard Mendenhall, RB Illinois
Back in 1999, Ricky Williams was the sure-thing, must-have
running back who appeared to be the obvious choice as the first
back taken. The Colts made a big call by taking Edgerrin James
fourth, with Williams going fifth, and they turned out to be
right. This might be the same dynamic between Darren McFadden
and Rashard Mendenhall. Late on the draft scene with only one
big year at Illinois, Mendenhall has some questions about his
long-term ability; why wasn't he a star right away? Whatever.
While not as fast as McFadden, he's fast enough with 4.45 wheels
on a 225-pound frame. Very strong, very fast (just ask USC) and
very good both inside and out, he's about as sure a prospect as
can be; at least physically. The key will be how much he wants
it. If he can find the fire and the drive to be special, he'll
be a yearly Pro Bowl performer. CFN Projection: First Round
CFN Position Rank: 1
22
53
2nd Round
Limas Sweed, WR Texas
Outside of the wrist injury that cost him most of last year, he
has it all. Tremendous size, good enough speed, and fantastic
athleticism, he looks the part of a receiver to build a passing
game around. He's not a receiver to build a passing game around.
Too streaky and not a dominant player at any time at the
collegiate level, he was simply above-average, never special. To
compare him to a similar sized Longhorn receiver, Sweed isn't as
fast as Roy Williams and isn't even in the same league when it
comes to home run hitting potential. He'll work his tail off and
will be a very productive ten-year pro, but while there's no
real downside, it'll take a special set of circumstances to be a
star. CFN Projection: Late First to Second Round
CFN Position Rank: 7
25
88
3rd Round
Bruce Davis, OLB/DE UCLA
At 6-2 and 252 pounds, he's too small to be a defensive end and
too slow to be a top outside linebacker. He was a tremendous
pass rusher who was always in the backfield and was always
hitting the quarterback. While he doesn't have more to his game
than just being a pass rusher, at least not yet, he showed off
in off-season workouts and at the Combine that he has the
potential to become a good linebacker if given time to develop. CFN Projection: Sixth Round CFN
Position Rank: 27 (as a LB)
31
130
4th Round
(from trade)
Tony Hills, OT Texas
Hills started out his career at tight end and turned into a
steady starter over the last two years. He didn't isn't a great
athlete and has physical issues with a broken leg suffered late
last season to go along with a chronic foot problem. While
there's a limit on how good he can become, he's just good enough
to become a decent backup for either tackle spot. CFN Projection: Sixth Round
CFN Position Rank:21
21
156
5th Round Dennis
Dixon, QB Oregon
Had it not been for a torn ACL late last year he'd have won the
Heisman. With tremendous athleticism, good smarts and excellent
toughness, Dixon become a tremendous leader who took his game to
another level with a jaw-dropping senior season. While he's not
going to bomb away, he has a good short-range arm and makes
plays on the move everywhere on the field. Of course, the knee
injury will be a major problem considering his game is all about
quickness, and if he's not moving around he can't play in the
NFL; he's not a pro pocket passer. Everyone tried to compare him
to Vince Young as last year went on, but he's not as big,
doesn't have nearly the same arm, and doesn't have close to the
same upside. He'll be in the league for a long time, but he
won't start for anyone any time soon. CFN Projection: Fifth Round
CFN
Position Rank: 11
22
188
6th Round Mike Humpal, OLB Iowa A high-motor, high-energy defender who's productive when
healthy, he has the size to be tough against the run and the
want-to to make plays. Not all that athletic, he's not an ideal
outside linebacker and isn't quite strong enough to be moved
inside. He can do a little of everything, just not at an NFL
level. CFN Projection: Free Agent CFN
Position Rank: NR
28
194
6th Round (from trade) Ryan Mundy, S West Virginia An interesting prospect who'll probably be overlooked
overall, Mundy has good size and was plenty productive for three
years. He's not really a corner and he's not a big enough hitter
to be an NFL safety, but there's just enough promise to be worth
a look. CFN Projection: Free Agent CFN
Position Rank: NR
