Steelers Pre-Draft Moves Help Clear Up Draft Plans

Even though the Steelers don't pick until No. 22, they've already made some news today with the news that they re-upped Hines Ward for four more years. Throw in the news from yesterday that they have signed cornerback Keiwan Ratliff to a one-year deal and the Steelers have somewhat solved two of their pressing draft needs before the draft even began.

By re-upping Ward, the Steelers now have their top two wide receivers locked up through 2010 and have Limas Sweed to develop as the No. 3 receiver. While you would like to have some insurance in case Sweed doesn't pan out, wide receiver is now a late-round need, not a first, second or third-round need.

While Ratliff is only a serviceable corner, he looks really good as a No. 4 corner, and he could be a solid nickel back. With Ike Taylor, William Gay, Deshea Towsend, Ratliff, special-teams ace Anthony Madison as the No. 5 corner and veteran Fernando Bryant as a security blanket in case of an injury to one of the top four, Pittsburgh could now go through the draft without taking a cornerback. If they did that, they would likely need to take a corner in the 2010 draft, but cornerback is one position where its easier to ask a high-round pick to step in and play.

That's not nearly the case at defensive end or on the offensive line, two of Pittsburgh's biggest needs. So if Pittsburgh is looking ahead to 2010, they helped set themselves up for some long-term picks by filling the wide receiver and cornerback concerns.