The Steelers 2015 Draft, The Key To Passing on The Torch Of Success
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The 2015 NFL Draft is right around the corner and despite the 11-5 record and AFC North division title in 2014, the Pittsburgh Steelers have many holes they’ll need to fill. The bulk of those holes are on the defensive side of the ball and it’s anticipated that the bulk of the early round picks will be utilized to fill those positions. Here’s a look at which positions I believe the Steelers will target in each round in the upcoming draft.
Round 1, pick 22 overall: The Steelers are in dire need of a pass rushing linebacker, especially with the retirement of Jason Worilds and a lack of depth at the outside linebacker position. They will surely consider a top OLB at this spot
That said, they sorely need a top flight cornerback, maybe more so than the pass rusher and they must, unlike past drafts, look for that guy in the first round. All said and told, I think they will end up finally drafting the cornerback in round 1 to help sure up a very weak secondary.
Round 2, pick 56 overall: This is simple, the black and gold will select the outside linebacker here, unless they draft him in round one, in which case they will absolutely take the cornerback. Either way, these two positions must be addressed in the first two rounds in some form or fashion.
Round 3, pick 87 overall: It’s entirely possible the Steelers could target a 2nd cornerback with this pick or even a second linebacker, inside or outside but I think it’s likely they’ll take a look at safety. With Troy Polamalu retiring and not knowing what they have with Shamarko Thomas yet, they could stand to add depth at the position. Don’t rule out the team looking at defensive end here either.
Round 4, pick 121 overall: This is the pick where I think they could first look at the offensive side of the ball. They are set at WR and they added depth at RB via free agency so I think they’ll look at Tight End here. They still have Heath for another couple of years but they could certainly add his replacement now. I think it’s a strong possibility they look to do so with this 4th round pick.
Round 5, pick 160 overall: This is the point in the draft where the black and gold could go any direction and will clearly take the best player available. Some possibilities include offensive line, defensive end, defensive tackle or quarterback (to eventually develop into the number 2 guy). I think they’ll go quarterback here, Bruce Gradkowski is in his final season under contract and Landry Jones has been a disappointment to date, I believe this would be a good round to take the guy they think can back Ben up for the next few years.
Round 6, pick 198 and pick 212: With two 6th round selections the Steelers will look to add depth at positions. There’s a good chance they’ll add a running back here with one of the picks, perhaps an offensive lineman, even another cornerback is in play.
Round 7, pick 239: Whatever’s left will be taken here, my guess is it will be a defensive player of some kind as they truly need as much depth on that side of the ball as possible, so safety or even another linebacker would make sense here.
One thing is for certain, with the many holes the Steelers have on the defensive side of the ball, they’ll surely be adding a linebacker and cornerback in the top rounds and will most likely add more defensive players with their eight picks than offensive players. This is a key draft in assisting the Steelers transition from the old school regime of Troy Polamalu, Brett Keisel and Ike Taylor to the new class of guys who can carry the torch of success.
The Legend of Troy
In April of 2003 the Pittsburgh Steelers made one of the greatest trades in franchise history. They traded the 27th, 92nd and 200th picks overall to move up to the 16th pick to draft the one and only Troy Polamalu. Truly the rest is history.
Polamalu went on to play 158 regular season games, record 770 tackles, 12 sacks, defend 100 passes, intercept 32 and score three touchdowns in what will prove to be a Hall of Fame career. He was the cog that made the new version of the Steel Curtain tick. The defense was a force with the likes of Polamalu, Brett Keisel, James Farrior, James Harrison, Ike Taylor and many more. That group, led by the quiet leader, #43, went on to help the Steelers win two Super Bowl titles and play in one more.
Polamalu played in 8 pro bowls, won defensive player of the year and team MVP in 2010 and was a fan favorite in Pittsburgh for 12 seasons.
His flowing hair draped his back like a Super Hero’s cape and he often made super human plays. He’d jump the line of scrimmage without touching even a jersey on another player, he intercepted Joe Flacco to seal the 2008 season AFC Championship as he ran the ball in for a Super Bowl appearance clinching touchdown, he scooped the ball with his fingertips against San Diego for an interception, to name a few. He’d play at the line of scrimmage, he’d drop back, he was the X factor in a defense that was already confusing enough for opposing quarterbacks. With all the big names the black and gold had on that side of the ball over the years, the player the opposition worried about the most was Troy Polamalu. He was impactful on just about every down and he will be remembered for the many accomplishments he brought to the field.
The Legend of Troy isn’t just about football though, which is what makes the man special. Troy was a soft spoken individual of faith who could be ferocious on the field but speak so quietly off of it that you could barely hear him. Troy is a family man and a man of giving back. Polamalu and his wife Theodora partake in many charitable events that benefit children, the poor, the hungry and the needy.
Troy has a zest for life that clearly gave him a spark on the field but a grounded ego off of it. It’s not often a man who accomplishes so much on the gridiron, stays so level headed off of it. He may not have been an outspoken leader but he led by example and that’s the best way.
Troy cited his family when retiring the other day and it’s his time to be with his kids. I can only say I hope that my kids can turn out to be much like him as he’s a true role model, one that is much needed in today’s world of sports and he’ll be missed dearly by not only by Steeler fans but by football fans alike.
Surely Troy will continue his charitable endeavors but it is unlikely he’ll seek the spotlight or the attention, that wouldn’t be consistent with who he is.
Troy Polamalu, Hall of Fame Player, Hall of Fame Human, Legend.
