The PG's Ed Bouchette offers a closer look at the Steelers' NFL Draft picks through Round 7 today:
ROUND 7 (241) – David “D.J.” Johnson, TE, 6-2, 270, Arkansas State – H-back in the mold of Sean McHugh of the Steelers, playing either fullback or tight end . . . Averaged 16.2 yards per catch last season on 22 receptions . . . Started the past three seasons . . . Native of Pine Bluff, Ark.
ROUND 7 (226) – A.Q. Shipley, C, 6-1, 302, Penn State – Maniacal worker who overcame some physical shortcomings to become a pro prospect . . . Has shorter arms than pros would prefer for pass blocking and he’s not as versatile as some of the centers drafted a day earlier . . . Moon native who grew up a fervent Steelers fan . . . Dominated against excellent USC defense in the Rose Bowl . . . Although drafted late, he’ll get a chance to stick with the Steelers because of their lack of centers.
ROUND 6 (205) – Ra’Shon “Sonny” Harris, DL, 6-4, 303, Oregon -- Strong, inconsistent one-year starter . . . Played tackle for the Ducks but could play end or tackle with the Steelers . . . Started all 13 games last season but finished only as his team’s 10th-leading tackler . . . Redshirted and stayed five seasons at Oregon . . . From Pittsburg, Cal.
ROUND 5 (169) – Frank Summers, 5-9 ½, 242, Nevada-Las Vegas – Could become the short-yardage back they’ve looked for since Jerome Bettis retired . . . Summers is not a candidate to ever become a starter but can run low and get the tough yards, and he might be able to play some fullback . . . One of 30 prospects to visit the Steelers . . . California native who played in junior college before his two seasons at UNLV . . . Can catch a little as well . . . Runs 4.63.
ROUND 5 (168) – Joe Burnett, WR/KR, 5-9 ½, 194, Central Florida – Small but stocky with so-so speed. Burnett has good return ability on both punts and kickoffs with five run back for touchdowns in his career . . . Steelers secondary coach called him a “playmaker” and that he will get a chance to become one with them . . . Has good closing speed . . . Starter all four seasons and was first team all-Conference USA.
ROUND 3 (96 overall) -- Keenan Lewis, CB, 6-1, 205, Oregon State – High school teammate in New Orleans and best friends with Wallace, their previous pick in the third round . . . Steelers secondary coach Ray Horton compared him to Ike Taylor in style and physique – and also in not coming down with interceptions . . . Lewis gives them the kind of size they love at the position, so he can help on the run and also hold receivers up at the line . . . Academic All-Pac 10 . . . Four-year starter, he helped beat Pitt in Sun Bowl, 3-0, with an interception, a pass breakup and four tackles.
ROUND 3 (84) – Mike Wallace, WR/KR, 6-0, 195, Mississippi – Has 4.3 speed and averaged over 20 yards a catch last season. He’ll get a chance to compete with Limas Sweed for playing time and also becomes their top threat as a kick returner, something they’ve long needed . . . Needs to refine his route running but he can help immediately by going deep . . . Originally signed with Oregon State with high school teammate Keenan Lewis, then decided not to go and sat out the 2004 season . . . Three-year starter at Ol’ Miss.
ROUND 3 (79) – G Kraig Urbik, G, 6-5 ½, 330, Wisconsin – Versatile lineman, the Steelers will even try to see if he can play center . . . He started 50 games in college, 34 at guard and 16 at tackle. He will get a chance to compete at right guard with Darnell Stapleton . . . All-Big Ten first team . . . Missed two mid-season games with sprained left MCL in his knee vs. Penn State, but finished by playing in final five games . . . Wisconsin coaches say he was the toughest player on their team.
ROUND 1 (32) – Evander “Ziggy” Hood, DE, 6-2 ½, 300, Missouri – First defensive end drafted on the first round by the Steelers since Aaron Jones in 1988 and first defensive lineman drafted in the top three rounds since Casey Hampton in 2001 . . . Played tackle in 4-3 defense but will play end with the Steelers . . . His Mexican grandmother, who had trouble speaking English, gave him his nickname . . . Ran a 4.88 at the combine . . . Started all 28 games the past two seasons . . . Had 1 ½ sacks and six tackles in Missouri’s Cotton Bowl victory against Arkansas . . . Played as a true freshman and started the past three seasons . . . All-Big 12 performer and second-team academic all-conference.
Posted
Apr 26 2009, 02:50 AM
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PG Admin10