Steelers Know How to Pick 'Em, but Only In Round One

The early reports on the Steelers' 2009 draft picks is very favorable. Mike Wallace has shown speed. Frank Summers is just as big as everyone expected and Ziggy Hood has shown an outstanding motor.

Of course, there's yet to be a draft pick who's publicly been called out for disappointing at offseason workouts, so as always, we won't know very much until they put the pads on for real in two months. But if history is any kind of guide, expect Hood, the Steelers' first-round pick, to do quite well, while several of the later-round picks will fail miserably.

That's what Steelers.lifer found in a recent analysis of how the Steelers draft compared to other teams. In comparing the Steelers to the rest of the AFC North as well as the Patriots, Colts and Chargers, he found that Pittsburgh is awful at succeeding with its mid-round picks and even worse at picking in the sixth and seventh rounds.

The bust trend in mid-rounds in the Kevin Colbert era is disturbing, probably among the worst in the NFL. It's a trend that also applies to late-round picks. Of their 13 picks in the sixth and seventh rounds from 2002-06, only two played in the league last year but they were both starters on a SB-winning team: Brett Kiesel and Chris Kemoeatu.

It's like baseball. Do you prefer a team with a consistent high batting average, or a team that hits home runs and strikes out a lot? When the home runs contribute to championships, it's more than acceptable... but you can understand when some people get frustrated about the high number of strikeouts.

But Steeler.Lifer also makes the point that the Steelers record on first-round picks is exceptional. Not counting Lawrence Timmons (projected to start this year) and Rashard Mendenhall (projected to split time this year) you have to go back to 1999 (Troy Edwards) to find a Steelers' first-round pick who failed to turn into a long-term starter. When you consider that Pittsburgh is usually drafting late in the first round, that's an enviable record.

So it comes down to which would you rather have? Would you take the Steelers' sure-fire success in the first round or would you rather see them show more success in later rounds. As for me, I'll stick with the approach that has given Pittsburgh two Super Bowls in four years.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

5-31-2009 @ 9:21PM

robert said...

The steelers are known for building a team through the draft, not by signing everybody else's left-overs like the dallas cowboys do! Must be doing something right because,afterall, nobody has won more superbowls than the PITTSBURGH STEELERS ! The steelers are on the stairway to seven, and the rooneys and kevin colbert will once again show the rest of the nfl how a team is supposed to be run.

6-01-2009 @ 12:17AM

eddiehaeffer said...

Super Bowl Champion PITTSBURGH STEELERS... we'll have ten fingers with ring's on'em by the time Big Ben's done!!!

6-02-2009 @ 12:54AM

Rob D said...

Don't forget all the undrafted FA's they have pulled out of the hat as well. They count too. I would be interested to see the stats on all the other NFL teams drafts in the later rounds. I bet they have their hits and misses too.

There's something more satisfying about a late round steal that will probably always trump a "safe" pick like Faneca or Roethlisberger or Polamalu (actually, some experts thought his concussion problems were too serious to consider him too high in the draft, as I recall) but I will take the right picks being made in Rd 1 and 2 every time over some late round steal. And I would like to see how much better those picks get as the Cowher era recedes steadily in the distance. It was rumoured for years that he interferred with DAy 2 picks and overruled the scout's on particular players. Have no idea if that is true but it keeps coming up.

If they continue to find undrafted FA's of the caliber of FWP and hit on their early picks, I will have zero problem with their strategy. I think THIS year is an example of drafting very smart..balancing need and perceived player value. The proof will be in the pudding.

6-01-2009 @ 12:58AM

shawncsh said...

You are right JJ Cooper. Willie Parker,Brett Keisel, Willie Williams, Carlos Emmons, Darren Perry,Justin Strzelczyk,Merril Hoge,Greg Lloyd,Edmund Nelson,Tunch Ilkin,Dwayne Woodruff,Ernie Holmes,Mike Wagner,L.C. Greenwood,Rocky Bleier,Andy Russell and Dick Hoak were all busts in later rounds. DO YOUR HOMEWORK!!!!

6-01-2009 @ 1:59AM

Scott_gp said...

Shawn, take your meds....the article clearly references the Kevin Colbert era. "Recent analysis" is another phrase that might tip you off. And if you're going to nitpick like that, you should care to note that Willie Parker wasn't drafted. Speaking of "doing your homework," jeez...

6-01-2009 @ 8:08AM

Alistair said...

To be fair, breaking the Steelers roster as a low round draft pick is much harder than breaking the roster of other teams, say the Lions due to the consistently good depth and consistency already on the roster in the past decade ...

6-01-2009 @ 9:58AM

marc said...

i think you need to be careful when making an analysis like this one and comparing it to other teams. first, you can't compare the steelers to the browns and bengals because the quality of their rosters is so much less it is significantly easier for a draftee to get playing time. second, the steelers front office philosophy is based upon keeping your own free agents and providing depth from the draft. the patriots, for example, are more inclined to let their FA's go and bring in replacements through the draft or veteran free agents on short deals. with more roster spots available, it again is easier for draftees to succeed. the draft this year is a good example of how the steelers drafter more than 1 cb to provide depth and competition to the position. obviously, there is going to be an odd man out, but it fits with the team's philosophy. I would be interested to see how many of the draftees in the analysis that didn't make the team played a position that was duplicated in that same draft.

6-01-2009 @ 12:55PM

Brandon said...

How does the 6th and 7th pick analysis copmpare to other teams or league avg? 2 of 13 might be avg.

6-01-2009 @ 5:07PM

Michael said...

that's what I was thinking. how many of those 6th & 7th rounders are even EXPECTED to make the team, let a lone contribute? many of those guys are practice squad types or ST only.

6-01-2009 @ 4:37PM

greg said...

Pretty dumb article. The steelers draft well almost every year. They do their homework.

6-01-2009 @ 5:04PM

I don't think it's dumb at all, this issue is well documented. Their first-round picks are homeruns, and it gets iffy after that...guys like Alonzo Jackson, Ricardo Colclough, Fred Gibson, and Willie Reid come to mind. And Matt Spaeth could go either way too.

And it's not like JJ is trashing the Steelers, he's posing a valid question. Do you place more importance on those premium picks, or do you want the late-round role players? While we certainly can't complain about the results on the field, it's true that too many picks from 2-7 have fizzled.

Marc's point about available roster spots has merit, but in the Steeler's case, not many of their cuts have gone on to secure significant roles with other teams...

6-01-2009 @ 7:44PM

A. J. said...

Go Steelers!

6-01-2009 @ 8:23PM

Its still a dumb article, because teams aren't built around later drafts picks. In fact, his reasoning can apply to every team in the NFL. The odds of a player making a team in the lower rounds is extremely high.

6-01-2009 @ 11:33PM

mdkin01 said...

This was a good draft for the Steelers. At first I didnt like it because they needed offensive line help more than anything but if that offensive line can block this year and especially run block, they will be the best team in football again. I think the only 2 teams that can play with them are the Ravens and the Titans in the AFC.

6-02-2009 @ 10:46AM

meengler99 said...

sure some of the later round picks dont pan out but thats how you build a team. the steelers draft these young guys and then mold them to be pittsburgh steelers type players.

6-02-2009 @ 11:20AM

ok, i just looked at the steeler's drafts since 2002 and came to a very simple conclusion. anyone criticizing their draft success is absolutely crazy. at least 2 starters have come from each draft from 2002-2007. not to mention players i would call contributors. or even more telling is the number of pro bowlers. it is also very clear that they draft for depth in rounds 6 and 7, often going for positions to bring competition in key parts of the roster.

if there is a weak spot, it would be round 5 where the best player drafted in that round since 2002 was verron haynes and/or willam gay.

but, it's very clear their draft philosophy works extremely well.

6-02-2009 @ 4:54PM

slfpgh said...

The writer is a typical aol moron,and i am to for reading this garbage.

6-02-2009 @ 9:23PM

Bill Strickland said...

I think the jury is still out here. Lamar Woodley was a great 2nd rounder. Darnell Stapleton broke the starting lineup, but he wont be the next Alan Faneca. Trading up for a punter in the fourth round that had a previous knee issue, not good. It will be interesting to see how Limas sweed and William Gay do this season

6-02-2009 @ 10:26PM

Joe Lombardi said...

STEELERS WILL DO IT AGAIN IN FL. THEY LIKE WINNING HERE, AND I GET TO SEE THEM...........................HERE WE GO STEELERS HERE WE GO.......7S HEAVEN

6-02-2009 @ 10:32PM

donamic1 said...

Pittsburgh will be a winner again this year, however a big 250lb full back would help their running game as Mr. inside. Speed on the outside will round out their fantistic running game with Parker. Ben will continue to be the envy of every quarter back in the NFL. And maybe before big ben hangs it up the Steelers will weare a ring on every finger on both hands. Go Steelers & good luck to my old buddy Dan Rooney in Ireland.

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