Analyzing the Steelers draft.

--  Jarvis Jones OLB Georgia - The Steelers addressed adding a solid impact player on defense. The

defensive side of the ball is still effective for the Black and Gold, but it is not getting any younger. Jones adds a dynamic player that will help bring youth to the position. A Linebacker unit of Timmons, Woodley, Jones, and perhaps Foote could be a force next season.. Jones had some injuries in his career, even some career threatening ones. He has always been a highly regarded player, and his season at Georgia even had him being projected as a top 10 talent. His combine workouts caused some doubts, but I firmly believe he was the best player available to the Steelers. This team needed to address plenty of holes, but getting Jones was a big one. With James Harrison moving on, the Steelers needed this type of guy. Jones should start right away, and it gives the Steelers a type of player that they can build a defense around.

-- Le'Veon Bell RB Michigan State - The Steelers lost Rashard Mendenhall, and Jonathon Dwyer and Isaac Redman do not appear to be the every down type of option. Le'Veon Bell has the typical Pittsburgh running back build. He is strong, physical, not outwardly fast, but quick enough. Bell is a workhorse, and in an era where you need more than one running back, he seems like a guy that could carry the load on his own. Obviously that will not happen, but examining his numbers at Michigan State, Bell carried the ball an astounding 382 times last season, which led the nation in carries. Bell was effective, and has surprising athleticism with the hurdles in his highlight reels. Perhaps Bell's best asset is his pass catching ability on third down. Bell has caught 67 passes in the past two seasons. He may not have been the back most were expecting, but with a young blossoming offensive line, this style could fit in with what the Steelers are looking to do.

-- Markus Wheaton WR Oregon State - After losing Mike Wallace to free agency, the Steelers needed to address the receiver position. With Antonio Brown being the firm number one option,

Emmanuel Sanders back for another season, and veterans Plaxico Burress and Jericho Cotchery in the fold, Pittsburgh needed an athlete to stretch the field. Wheaton is very fast vertically, and he could be the new Mike Wallace to the offense. While Wallace's hands came into question last season, his deep threat still provided a threat and opened it up for guys like Heath Miller and Antonio Brown. That is what Wheaton will likely do. He turned in a very productive season for Oregon State last season, and essentially can do almost identical things Wallace did. He will see the filed early on, and the Steelers certainly addressed that need.

-- Shamarko Thomas S Syracuse - A very good pick for the fourth round, and if he was any bigger, the guy would have been a second day pick. Thomas can lay down some big time hits, and should give the secondary some much needed athleticism.  With the injury prone Polamalu these days, Thomas should be on the field quite a bit. I have seen some Bob Sanders comparisons out there, and I can see why. Very physical and he is always around the ball. The theme of this draft screams "getting back to Steeler football" and that is a good thing.


--Landry Jones QB Oklahoma - I think it was important for the Steelers to draft a quarterback in this draft. They now have Bruce Gradkowski to be the main backup, as Batch and Leftwhich are

likely done in the Pittsburgh. Still, Pittsburgh needed a young arm to come in and at least grow in the system. Gradkowski is just a plug, but having a guy like Jones can be valuable, though. As you can see, Kevin Kolbs and Matt Flynns can bring you a solid return. Also, with Ben being Ben, Jones will get an opportunity throughout the years because of Roethlisberger's injuries. He has a good pedigree, and he finished his career as the Big 12's all time leading passer. His junior season was a big success, and was considered a top 2-3 round player. His senior season did not go as well, but his talent is there.

-- Terry Hawthorne CB Illinois - At this point, looking for starters is unrealistic. Hawthorne had a productive career at Illinois, and figures to be a 3rd or 4th type corner. He will see some time on special teams, and with injuries, he can work his way on the field. Corner is a tough position to predict sometimes. Hawthorne could be a starter down the line if he adjusts well to the league, but as of now, he is merely a special teamer/backup.


-- Justin Brown WR Oklahoma - The Steelers having already added Wheaton, figured they needed to bring in one more guy. I am fine with that. Sanders does not figure to be a long term guy, and this is a position where you can come from anywhere and make an impact. Antonio Brown will enter 2013 as the top option at receiver, being a former sixth round pick. Brown has some size and potential, and will be there to push veterans Burress and Cotchery.

-- Vince Williams LB Florida State - Williams is a born leader from all reports I have heard, and should come in and give great effort. He is not all that fast or athletic, but he knows how to play. The Steelers needed to add physicality and toughness in this draft, Williams helps in those departments.

-- Nick Williams DT Samford - Williams is a big guy, and could be a hidden gem coming from a small school. He is a perfect fit for an end in a 3-4 alignment, and those guys are not always easy to find. Ziggy Hood and Cam Heyward have been alright, but have not lived up to their potential. Maybe Williams can at least play in some situations.