By now most Steelers fans have heard the tidbit about how their first-round picks always come from guys they bring to Pittsburgh to interview. So it pays to pay attention to who the Steelers interview.And with the potential offensive line targets all seeming to move their way up the draft boards (and possibly out of the Steelers range), Pittsburgh has to plan for some other options. They've brought Aqib Talib to town to prepare to go the cornerback route, and now they've also checked out Auburn's sack master Quentin Groves.
Groves is tied for Auburn's all-time lead in sacks with 26, although he recorded only three sacks as a senior thanks to some dislocated toes. He had recorded 9.5 sacks as a junior. He fits the profile of the typical Steelers outside linebacker in that he's a college defensive end who is a little undersized to play the same role as a pro. At 6-foot-3, 259 pounds, Groves ran a blazing 4.53 40-yard dash at the combine, so he definitely has the speed to make the transition. His 35-inch vertical at Auburn's pro day (which Mike Tomlin attended) also shows off his athleticism. And he even played the position briefly as a college senior, so the transition should be a little easier than it is for the average outside linebacker conversion.
All in all, Groves seems to be a perfect fit for a team looking to find a pass-rushing 3-4 outside linebacker. He fits that role much better than Pittsburgh's 2007 first-round pick Lawrence Timmons, even though Timmons was taken with the 15th pick and Groves is expected to last to No. 23.
But while Groves may last to Pittsburgh's pick, the question becomes whether Pittsburgh can take another linebacker so early. It's hard to imagine the Steelers drafting a first-round outside linebacker just a year after taking Timmons and LaMarr Woodley in the first two rounds of the 2007 draft. While Timmons is moving inside this year, Woodley is expected to pair with Pro Bowler James Harrison at bookend outside linebackers. On a team with plenty of needs, drafting another outside linebacker seems somewhat like a luxury. Theoretically, the Steelers could pick Groves, use him as a situational pass rusher this year (like Woodley last year), then move James Harrison inside in 2009 when James Farrior's current contract is up. But that relies on Harrison agreeing to move inside to the less glamorous, more difficult inside linebacker job when he's proven he's an accomplished outside linebacker.
One other thing to note. While it's unlikely Pittsburgh will take Groves, if they do, it's a pretty clear sign that they'll stick with the 3-4 defense for the next several years. While Woodley and Groves could both potentially play rush end in a 4-3, that would be two guys for the same position, as neither of them fit as either a strong-side defensive end or as a linebacker in a 4-3.
If Pittsburgh does take Groves, it will prove that they believe in drafting the best available athlete, but considering their recent first-round history (Heath Miller, Timmons and Santonio Holmes) of filling immediate needs, it would also be out of character.
