Draft Analysis: Pittsburgh Steelers
Posted: Thursday June 11, 1998 04:43 PM
Alan
Faneca 1st round, 26th overall
Guard, LSU
Comments: First guard to come off the board. Shows a good
combination of strength and quickness. Has time to develop behind solid
line. Will backup right guard Will Wolford, and take over
next season when Wolford will likely move on or retire ... best inside
offensive lineman in the draft. Jeremy
Staat 2nd round, 41st overall
Defensive tackle,
Arizona State
Comments: Played defensive tackle in
college, but will be a defensive end in their 3-4 scheme. Has a quick 1st
step, but will need to become much more physical at the NFL level ...
basically one-year college producer. Chris
Conrad 3rd round, 66th overall
Tackle, Fresno State
Comments: Natural fit as a left tackle. If he is ready,
and right tackles Jamain
Stephens and Paul
Wiggins aren't, Conrad could play at left tackle with Justin Strzelcyk moving
back to his natural position at right tackle. Hines Ward
3rd round, 92nd overall
Receiver, Georgia
Comments: All-purpose kind of guy. Will be used a lot like Kordell Stewart as a
rookie. Will play some receiver, and be used on reverses, etc. May also
fill the void as a return specialist, as Will Blackwell
concentrates on becoming their go-to receiver. Deshea
Townsend 4th round, 117th overall
Cornerback,
Alabama
Comments: Didn't receive a lot of hype, but is a
solid cover cornerback. Was nicked up and didn't have great senior season.
Has good size and speed. Could be instant contributor in nickel
package. Carlos
King 4th round, 123rd overall
Fullback, N.C. State
Comments: Has a chance to make team as backup because of
injuries and lack of depth ... interesting guy because of versatility ...
can catch out of backfield, good blocker and also has some run skills ...
versatility may help him plug into several roles ... if he has a good camp,
he could fit in nicely as a utility guy and special-teams performer. Jason
Simmons 5th round, 137th overall
Cornerback,
Arizona State
Comments: Doesn't have great size, but he's
competitve, and has an excellent nose for the football. Should also
contribute in the nickel and dime package as a rookie. Chris
Fuamatu-Maafala 6th round, 178th overall
Running back,
Utah
Comments: Solid pickup gives the Steelers a backup
running back in the mold of Jerome Bettis should he
ever go down with an injury. Can be a productive guy, but must keep his
weight in check. Ryan
Olson 6th round, 186th overall
Linebacker, Colorado
Comments: Played defensive tackle and nose tackle at
Colorado but lacks NFL defensive tackle size ... will project to inside
linebacker in 3-4 defense ... has never dropped into coverage, but Steelers
have confidence that he can do it ... tough projection to make but he
should be OK vs. run and has enough athletic ability to merit the shot ...
if he has a good camp, he will easily make this club as the top backup at
both inside linebacker spots. Angel
Rubio 7th round, 221st overall
Defensive end, SE
Missouri State
Comments: Small-college guy that fits
perfectly as a backup nose tackle to Joel Steed, if he can adjust
to NFL level ... nice size and strength and has some penetrating skills,
but its a big jump from SE Missouri to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
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