My strange prediction...Otah will slide. Maybe to #23.

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

Originally Posted by revefsreleets

This is all assuming the Steelers are looking T in RD 1. Many mocks have G, some have LB, DE, I've seen RB, WR CB. It's a total crapshoot at this point.

Exactly. Personally I think the FO has done a great job of confusing the rest of the world on who they want to pick.

But really.....what was the weakest part of our team last year??? Hint, Ben almost got sacked 50 times.

What was done to improve the O line this year???? Sign Starks, sign Hartwig??

What draft has had better talent at OT in the past 25 years??? None.

If the Steelers dont draft an OT with Smith and Starks both on the last year of their contracts......it will be like the Lions drafting another WR in the first.

[Texasteel]

Originally Posted by El-Gonzo Jackson

Exactly. Personally I think the FO has done a great job of confusing the rest of the world on who they want to pick.

But really.....what was the weakest part of our team last year??? Hint, Ben almost got sacked 50 times.

What was done to improve the O line this year???? Sign Starks, sign Hartwig??

What draft has had better talent at OT in the past 25 years??? None.

If the Steelers dont draft an OT with Smith and Starks both on the last year of their contracts......it will be like the Lions drafting another WR in the first.

Some real good point Gonzo. This years OTs are pretty good but I think next years is better, and I think next years C class will be better also.

The signing of Hartwig helps the interior of the line a bunch, the signing of Starks, I think, just buys us another year.

I do expect the Steelers to take a OT and maybe a OG this year, and probably a OT and maybe a C next year.

[Elvis]

I dunno... but I would Not be upset if the Steelers select OT Sam Baker in the 1st round. He has played against better competition and I think he will be a better all-around player than Otah.

[lilyoder6]

i do think that we will start this yr and next yr to get our line solidfied 4 yrs to come

[revefsreleets]

Originally Posted by El-Gonzo Jackson

Exactly. Personally I think the FO has done a great job of confusing the rest of the world on who they want to pick.

But really.....what was the weakest part of our team last year??? Hint, Ben almost got sacked 50 times.

What was done to improve the O line this year???? Sign Starks, sign Hartwig??

What draft has had better talent at OT in the past 25 years??? None.

If the Steelers dont draft an OT with Smith and Starks both on the last year of their contracts......it will be like the Lions drafting another WR in the first.

Only time will tell on that particular prognostication. But I certainly agree with the last part of your assessment. The Steelers are one of only a handful of teams (the Eagles are MASTERS at this) who actually draft with NEXT years FA departures in mind.

I still say they go Stewart if he's there at 23, though. Then OT in 2. If not, tackle makes sense.

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

Originally Posted by Elvis

I dunno... but I would Not be upset if the Steelers select OT Sam Baker in the 1st round. He has played against better competition and I think he will be a better all-around player than Otah.

I would really be upset if Baker was picked at #23. Good all around lineman, but has short arms and not a great run blocker. If you want a Tackle that doesnt get a push on D linemen in the run game or will have DE's beat him because of his lack of reach.....great.

He is better suited to play on a team where he can use technique to get angles on defenders and maybe play guard because of his lack of ideal reach for an OT. Again, zone blocking team like the Broncos would love him, but not a Steeler!

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

Originally Posted by revefsreleets

Only time will tell on that particular prognostication. .

Yes, but its what many NFL scouts and GM's are apparantly saying....this is the best OT draft in decades.

[revefsreleets]

Well, apparently all the teams ahead of thought as much, hence the run on all the OL. It's awesome that we didn't reach...

This also demonstrates the faith the FO has in Starks, Colon, et al...

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

Originally Posted by revefsreleets

Well, apparently all the teams ahead of thought as much, hence the run on all the OL. It's awesome that we didn't reach...

This also demonstrates the faith the FO has in Starks, Colon, et al...

Faith has little to do with it.

Basically its like musical chairs......everybody else already had a chair when #23 came up, so BAA was Mendenhall.

I'm just happy we didnt have to reach for Baker.

[Texasteel]

Keep in mind, the next two 1st round OTs were Brown and Baker. Both 2nd round picks IMO.