NFL Draft: Day 1

Eight hours of my life are gone and all I got for it is one lousy draft pick. That's not to say that the draft pick was lousy. The Steelers once again ignored their biggest immediate need - the offensive line - to take a player that won't likely play a major role until the 2010. Evander Hood, a defensive tackle from Missouri, was the last player chosen in the first round. Hood projects as a defensive end in the Steelers 3-4 system. He will likely back up the defensive end positions until next year when Brett Keisel's contract expires. Or he could be training to take over for Aaron Smith in a couple years. Hood is a high motor player that should take well to the tutelage of D-line coach John Mitchell and veteran Aaron Smith.

Hood was projected as a late first rounder, so the Steelers got adequate value and addressed a position of need. The first round went much differently than most projected (surprise, surprise), so several players that were expected to be available were gone and several that were expected to be gone were available. Most notably centers Alex Mack and Eric Wood were taken off the board before the Steelers picked. However, Eben Britton, a left tackle, Max Unger, a center, and Rey Maualuga, an inside linebacker, were still available. Nonetheless, the Steelers decided to address the defensive line.

With the power of hindsight, I think Kevin Colbert would like a do over. One player that many projected the Steelers would take in the first round, San Jose State defensive end Jarron Gilbert, was available with the Steelers 2nd round pick. But having already addressed the position with Hood, the team traded its 2nd round pick (along with the fourth round pick) to the Broncos for two third round picks. If the team could do it over again, I think we would have been better off with Britton and Gilbert. Then again, if the Steelers really had Gilbert high on their draft board, I suspect they would have taken him with their 2nd round pick.

The team now has three 3rd round picks, but no fourth round pick. I suspect we'll grab an offensive lineman (Jamon Meredith from So. Carolina, Duke Robinson from Oklahoma), wide receiver (Derrick Williams or Mike Thomas), or cornerback (Mike Mickens, Coye Francies). The picks in the third round will make or break this draft.

Day 1 was uneventful for the Steelers. Let's see if tomorrow morning brings more excitement.