The Pittsburgh Steelers live and die by the NFL draft. Since I can remember, the Steelers have a simple philsophy: Draft players, learn the system, gradually increase their roles and then become Steeler greats.
In the 70s it was players such as Joe Greene, John Stallworth, Jack Lambert, Terry Bradshaw, Mel Blount, and so on. In the 80s we saw players such as Greg Lloyd, Rod Woodson, Louis Lipps, and Dermontti Dawson. And in the 90s, we saw Hines Ward, Levon Kirkland, and Aaron Smith. Current players such as Troy Polamalu, Ben Roethlisberger, and Heath Miller have had amazing careers in the city of Pittsburgh and most of them are already or will end up in Hall of Fame.
The last few years, the steelers haven’t got much in return from the their top draft selections, which is why it is so important to start seeing some serious production from these players. In 2009, Pittsburgh selected Ziggy Hood, Craig Urbik, Mike Wallace and Keenan Lewis in the first three rounds. As we know, Hood’s career has been underwhelming to this point and in my opinion, is one year away from being a first round bust. Urbik, Wallace, and Lewis are no longer with the team.
In 2010, the Pittsburgh Steelers selected Maurkice Pouncey, Jason Worilds, and Emmanuel Sanders with their top three picks. Pouncey played all 16 games in his rookie year and was selected to the Pro Bowl. However, Pouncey has been slowed down since with nagging injuries. Most notably missing the 2010 Super Bowl and the 2011 playoffs.
Worilds to this point in his career has 10 career sacks in limited action. Worilds has been waiting for his opportunity to shine and in 2013, he will get that shot. However, with high-motor Jarvis Jones behind him, Worilds margin for error will be under a microscope.
Sanders has had an up-and-down career thus far in Pittsburgh. However, Sanders was resigned to a year one-year contract this year and this is a pivotal year for Sanders to cash in on a contract extension or move on elsewhere.
In 2011, The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Cameron Heyward, Marcus Gilbert, and Curtis Brown with their top picks. Heyward to this point has been a project. However, in my opinion, I think this is the year that Heyward breaks out and beats out Hood to start.
Gilbert has shown flashes of being a beast on the offensive line, but he also has been marred by injuries. Curtis Brown has been a bit of a disappointment considering the Steelers brought back William Gay, who had an awful 2012 season. Brown needs to prove himself in 2013 or he could be sent packing.
2012 is still to be determined as David Decastro and Sean Spence suffered serious injuries. However, I do think Mike Adams played pretty well in his rookie campaign for the Steelers and has the potential to be a second round steal, but that remains to be seen.
The time is now for these players to “show us something.” The Pittsburgh Steelers have a rich history of drafting and molding players into greatness. However, the last few draft classes have been anything but great for the exception of a late round gem in, Antonio Brown. 2013 is a pivotal year for these players to shine in the spotlight or its going to be a long season in Pittsburgh.
