Draft - Identifying Needs (Offense)

Skipping QB, let�s get down to the RB situation. There are two common arguments made for acquiring a compliment to Parker this off-season. One, there�s no depth behind him, and as a result he�s forced to carry the ball too much. Two, the Steelers need a �power� back who can get the tough yards. I�ll address the latter of these two arguments first.

Those that are crying for a fat-back are delusional. Parker last season proved his ability as a feature back. He became the full package. You would have to be biased not to give a guy credit as a complete back after running for 1,400 yards, and scoring 13 TD�s on the ground alone. He earned his Pro Bowl spot last year. They insist that Parker was unable to get the tough yards, though, and that Bettis was better in those crucial short yardage spots, or in the redzone. While Bettis was certainly reliable in that role throughout 2005, Parker was also reliable in 2006. The proof is in the numbers.

What�s that show? For starters, bigger isn�t necessarily better when it comes to short yardage. Davenport was truly awful (something everyone should have noticed on their own). Bettis and Parker were both good at converting, with Parker actually having the slight edge. The Steelers have no reason to add a RB to the roster just for �short yardage� situations. Parker IS the complete package at this point.

I still believe that, if the Steelers had been winning more, Davenport would have had more carries. Davenport, similar to Bettis in 05, had 43 of his 60 carries last season in games decided by 17 points or more. The loss of carries between 2005 to 2006 in the run game wasn�t a result of a lack of depth at RB, but the fact that the team is struggling. It�s a matter of cause and effect. Winning teams aren�t the ones that necessarily run the most. Teams that run the most are the ones who are winning.

Davenport�s ability, however, is still open to question. His numbers from last season were hardly impressive. 60 carries for 221 yards, at 3.7 YPC. Only 1 TD. He adds something to the team as a returner, and he made some plays in the passing game. He was a better blocker than Parker. Between him and Haynes, though, neither is very reliable as a potential starter if Parker goes down.

How should the Steelers address the position, then? It would be foolish to invest a high draft pick for a BACK-UP RB. The Chargers grabbed Michael Turner in R4. Dominic Rhodes was a UDFA. The Patriots have a situation similar to that of the Steelers, where they have a young RB (a first rounder, obviously) phasing out an older runner in Corey Dillon. Cedric Benson, while a high draft pick, has not been unable to unseat Thomas Jones. Brandon Jacobs was a fourth round draft selection. Few teams have gone out of their way to find their second RB�s, or have found that the less heralded player has been better than the higher draft selection.

There is simply no reason for the Steelers to invest a day-1 draft pick in the position. A mid-tier FA, or a day-2 draft pick are all that should be considered. I don't expect anything before R3

The argument here goes that the Steelers lack size/talent behind Ward and Holmes, and will eventually need a replacement for Ward. Also, at 1.15 the Steelers should take the best player available in the draft. All these arguments have their flaws.

We�ll start with Nate Washington. Some people refuse to give this guy his due, much like with Parker. They insist he�s no more than a �4, or a borderline 3,� and that the Steelers need to upgrade at the spot. However, the production speaks for itself. Nate Washington was one of the most productive third receivers the Steelers have had in years, and one of the best in the league last season.

NOTES:

1. Ranks at the bottom are where Washington stands league wide in those categories. Final �AVG - 5� represents his average score.

2. NE isn�t included because there was no definitive third receiver for them all year round. It changed constantly, even during the game, and was not possible to track.

No Steelers third receiver has had more production than Washington. The only year even close is El�s season in 2004, in which he started seven games in place of an injured Plaxico Burress. Washington has only one year of experience in the NFL actually playing, and was a UDFA from a small school. He was one of the most productive, and best third receivers in the league last season despite that. He certainly does not need replacing. He has the potential to become a full-time starter on this team some day.

The second part of the argument is even more baseless. That being the idea that Hines Ward is going to need replacing soon. The basis? Well, there really isn�t one. Ward has shown no signs of slowing down, and there are a number of receivers who have played and produced at a high level into their 30's.

Rod Smith is going to be 37 next season. Until last year, he had shown no signs of slowing down and had caught at least 70 passes every season going back to 1996 (his second in the league). Marvin Harrison will be 35 next year. He just caught 95 passes. Jimmy Smith played until he was 37. He caught 70 passes in his final two seasons. The great Jerry Rice retired at the age of 42. At the age of 41 he caught 63 passes for the Raiders. He had no lower than 67 since 1988 (outside of the 97 season when he was hurt). He still caught 30 passes in in 2004, in spite of only having a limited role.

There is no telling how long Hines Ward could last. The man will be just 31 next season. He�s signed until he�s 34, or three more seasons. He could very well see a THIRD contract with the team, and still be a productive player for several more seasons. I have little doubt he�ll play out his current contract as a starter, at the least.

So, the simple question is, when is this first round receiver going to see the field? Or will Holmes become the slot guy? And Washington/Reid #4? How will the Steelers afford to keep Holmes and this new receiver, if they both were to pan out? It�s a poor investment to make, and there�s no real reason to make it.

The final straw to cling to? Well, that�s size. Then, the Steelers just invested a first round draft pick into a guy named Heath Miller, though. What exactly is his purpose, if not first and foremost to be a redzone target for Ben Roethlisberger? Outside of that, good teams RUN the ball in the redzone first, and pass second. The Steelers have, and will continue to do this with success. They had big receiver in 2005, but they certainly didn�t struggle in the redzone on their way to a Super Bowl ring.

A receiver would be a luxury pick. The Steelers tend to draft for need. Odds are against them grabbing a guy like Jarrett...if he's even there.

With a division rival like Baltimore, the Steelers need an upgrade over Tuman. A tight end who can block as well as threaten teams in the passing game. It's important to not only have someone who can actually pick up their OLB's when they blitz, but someone who is able to draw coverage over top and in the middle of the field. The Steelers tried to run mostly out of a two TE set in the second game last year, but Tuman is simply not a weapon. The only way the Steelers could counter the Ravens was with a spread offense (which they would not go to until both games were out of hand). The Steelers coaches will be focusing on beating the Ravens, the real competition in the division. A second TE will be a big addition, even if not the most flashy. An investment of a mid-round pick is a possibility. There are several mid-range FA�s who could also fill this hole nicely. With Cowher gone, we can only hope that Tuman�s days are numbered.

No unit on the team underachieved more than the offensive line last season. They allowed nearly 50 sacks of their QB, and contributed a large amount to that 8-8 record. The Steelers have several �projects� on the OL. Kemoeatu saw some time at guard. Essex will be entering his third year. Colon showed potential. Philips was kept on the roster all last season. Starks and Simmons will both likely be competing for their jobs with not only these guys, but some new comers. The Steelers are likely to add a tackle or guard in the draft somewhere. I would expect on day-1. Colon could compete at either guard or tackle, and gives the team some options in the draft. Okobi will take over at center for Hartings. While people are quick to knock Okobi, the Steelers have showed a good deal of faith in his ability, both by paying him a good deal of money as a back-up and by promising him that he was the future once Hartings left. Okobi has looked good in his limited playing time over the years.

It�s hard to judge Kemoeatu from the limited action he�s had. He was unable to unseat Simmons last year in spite of playing time. There�s no telling if this was Cowher sticking with his guy, or if it was just because they didn�t like Kemo.

The OL, though, certainly needs to get better. I look to the second round for a tackle, Colon to start at guard, and Okobi to play center. I would expect the team to give the center position some consideration, as well. I would think in the middle of the draft, but day-1 is a real possibility.