We’ve said it a few times on here, but we see no real point in us doing mock drafts.
We always just want the Steelers to pick either players from Penn State or who played in the WPIAL during their high school days. We’re homers the whole way through.
Case in point, let’s revisit a few of the Steelers past first rounds that dumbfounded us at the time. We used to read into all the hype and fell into the trap that Mel Kiper Jr. knew better than Kevin Colbert. The three draft days below are why we are blog from our parents basement instead of the war room.
2003
Who we wanted: Larry Johnson, RB (Penn State)
LJ’s senior year at Penn State was the best single season of football we have ever seen. Only an anti-PSU conspiracy kept him from getting the Heisman Trophy that season. On Senior Day, he rushed for 279 yards in the first half! (No typos!) Jerome Bettis was slowing down and LJ was destined to take his place and run into the NFL record books.
Who we got: Troy Polamalu, S (USC)
The irony here is that the Steelers traded up with the Chiefs who ended up taking LJ at the Steelers’ orginial spot. Polamalu was deemed a bust after watching from the sidelines most of this first season, but we all know how the story ended up. There’s a shot Troy could end up in the Hall of Fame someday. On the other side, LJ has had a solid career, but was overused in Kansas City and has had legal troubles. It took us a long time to get over this first round, but obviously the outcome was great.
2006
Who we wanted: Chad Jackson, WR (Florida)
Jackson was the tall, deep-threat receiver that was supposed to take Burress’ spot. He played in the SEC, wowed scouts with his hands, and seemed like a good fit.
Who we got: Santonio Holmes, WR (Ohio State)
There was some debate whether Holmes or Jackson was the best WR in the 2004 draft. Everybody knew Holmes had the talent, but there were issues. He had a few run-ins with the law, lacked ideal size, and played in a weak conference.
Of course, Jackson ended up being one of the biggest busts in the entire draft and was cut by the Patriots last season. Holmes had some troubles catching the ball at first, but ended his rookie year with an OT touchdown against Cincinatti and has been one of the most explosive WR’s in the league since.
2007
Who we wanted: Paul Posluszny, LB (Penn State)
Poz was our favorite college football player ever. Period. No lie, the man tears were flowing when he tore his knee up during the Orange Bowl his junior year. Poz was the perfect fit for the Steelers. He grew up in Aliquippa, played the game with character, and was one of the best pure tacklers we’ve ever laid eyes on. The Steelers needed younger linebackers so this was a done deal.
Who we got: Lawrence Timmons, LB (Florida State)
Timmons’ name had been connected to the Steeler before the draft, but for some reason we wanted anybody but him. I remember yelling in disgust when his name was called. The guy was the anti-Posluszny – played at Florida State, only had one good season, and to us, had bust written all over him.
Posluszny ended up breaking his arm during his rookie year, but was leading the NFL in tackles at the time of his injury. He’s had a solid career since then putting up 129 tackles last year.
Timmons doesn’t have those kind of numbers, but it’s obvious to anybody that he’s a man-beast out there and will be a force very soon. He’s been very disciplined and hasn’t pulled any stunts like so many other Seminoles have in the NFL.
Not gonna lie, we’d still kill to have Poz in the black and gold, but it doesn’t sting as much anymore knowing that Timmons is a Pro Bowl-caliber player.
For what it’s worth, in 2008 we actually wanted Rashard Mendenhall. That might be a bad sign.
So what have we learned through all our draft day heartbreak?
Trust the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Every once in a while they will end up with a first round dud, but those are the exception not the rule. Our ideal draft this year would consist of a CB in round one, Derrick Williams in round two, and AQ Shipley sometime on day two.
So we’ll end up a little dissapointed this weekend unless all the PSU guys are drafted by the Steelers, but the key is to remember that you can’t evaluate the Steeler draft next week or even the next year. It takes time.
