Team-by-team draft needs: AFC North

[tony hipchest]

pretty much spot on to what most here feel as a need. impressive work, thought, and research for all 32 teams-


Pat Kirwan breaks down each team's positional needs, listed in order of importance, entering the draft.


http://www.nfl.com/draft/story?id=09...s&confirm=true

Pittsburgh Steelers
Offensive tackle: The Steelers seem to be excited about keeping most of their offensive line together. They did win the Super Bowl with it, but the line clearly was the team's weak link. While the Steelers will talk about drafting for depth, if an opportunity to draft a bona-fide left tackle early in the draft presents itself, they should do it. That would allow Willie Colon to move inside to guard, his natural position, and Max Starks to go to the right side, where his struggles against top pass rushers wouldn't be exposed.

Defensive end: Aaron Smith will turn 33 in April, Brett Keisel is 30 and backup Travis Kirschke is 34. This defense needs to get younger, and it has to start up front. The Steelers like their defensive ends big, strong and physical.

Cornerback: The loss of Bryant McFadden leaves Ike Taylor and 11-year veteran Deshea Townsend as the Steelers' starters. Fernando Bryant was re-signed, but the Steelers need a young starting cornerback with some speed and ball skills.

Wide receiver: Santonio Holmes and Hines Ward are the only experienced starters on the roster, and while Limas Sweed will step into the No. 3 role, the team needs to replace the deep threat it lost in Nate Washington (now with the Tennessee Titans).

Guard/center: The Steelers are high on their backups at offensive tackle, Tony Hills and Jason Capizzi, so Colon could move inside in a pinch. But ideally, the Steelers could use an interior swingman who can play guard and center and make the line calls. The team probably would be best-served to find an inexpensive veteran to fill the role after the draft.

the nugget here is in bold. in pats interview with colbert last week, he did speek highly of hills but said nothing about capizzi on the air. since kirwan was pimping jason as a sleeper coming out of college, i can only assume that he asked about him while off the air.

[KeiselPower99]

I have read several people say that Capizzi was looking good in camp last year. The more I think about this draft the more I think Gilbert from San Jose St is our number 1 pick. then Eric Wood or a corner in the second.

[lilyoder6]

good artcile.. not bad too see that hills and capazzi are on good graces

[The Duke]

Pretty good breakdown. except....

The loss of Bryant McFadden leaves Ike Taylor and 11-year veteran Deshea Townsend as the Steelers' starters. Fernando Bryant was re-signed, but the Steelers need a young starting cornerback with some speed and ball skills.

Don't forget about Gay!!

I'll forgive kirwan for this one though, his articles are usually flawless