A shocker that he was still on the board at this point. Steelers pounced. RB was not in their top 3 of needs, but with Willie Parker coming off a broken leg and the fact there is little depth behind him made this a logical pick. It was too good a value to pass up. Mendenhall's signature game was the Rose Bowl. He showed great run, cut back, field vision, and receiving skills in that game where he amassed over 200 yards in total offense. Should see split time immediately and may be used in "Pony" packages where Mendenhall and Parker are the two backs.

Pick Grade: A

53 Limas Sweed WR Texas

Did the Steelers hit the lottery or what on these first two picks??? Another shocker that Sweed was still on the board. Big target with good speed who has a big radius of catch ability. A wrist injury his SR year led to his draft day slide. If he can learn his assignments quickly could develop into the 3rd receiver. Has great red zone potential.

Pick Grade: A

88 Bruce Davis DE UCLA

An undersized DE who will be stood up to play OLB in the 3-4. Will need some time to adapt, but the Steelers saw him try the transition at the SR Bowl and feel he can succeed. Highly productive player at UCLA. Knows how to get to the QB. Will back up immediately at OLB and has a chance to start in year two. The Steelers are currently overhauling the LB core and going with youth and he is obviously in their plans.

Pick Grade B

130 Tony Hills OT Texas

A converted TE who has good athletic ability. Had a bad leg injury in HS and a knee injury in college. However, the Steelers cleared him medically and feel injuries will have little to no effect on his pro career. Has long arms and is big bodied with good feet. Was the top rated OL left on their board at this point. Picked in an appropriate area of the draft with his medical concerns.

Pick Grade: B

156 Dennis Dixon QB Oregon

The Steelers are looking for a developmental QB and Dixon is the guy. Arguably the top college player in the land last year until his knee injury. Should see the field in certain packages and with Mendenhall may run some spread offense. OC Bruce Arians is probably making up plays as you read. Needs time to develop and has the arm strength and athleticism to deserve a serious look. Good value at this point in the draft. Steelers vetted him medically and are confident that he will be fine. Has played minor league baseball, but has given up baseball because of his desire to play football. (Hitting under.180 doesn't help either.)

Pick Grade: B

188 Mike Humpal LB Iowa

Strong side OLB at Iowa. Productive player in college. Decent athlete with excellent instincts and intelligence. Best case scenario is to be a back up LB and contribute on STs.

Pick Grade: C

194 Ryan Mundy S West Virginia

Intlligent FS who will get a good look. Ryan Clark is coming off a spleen injury and Anthony Smith is now infamous for his guarantee to beat NE and then playing like a turkey in the game. Should contribute on STs if he makes the squad. Local boy from the Pittsburgh area. Transfered from Michigan and was a starter there.

Pick Grade: C+

Draft Summary:

Much better draft in luck and in the eyes of  Steelers fans in Coach Tomlin's second year. DL was not addressed, but they did not reach either. Steelers stuck to their board and took the best available players at their spots. CB was also a need. However, with only six picks going into the draft and trading down for another pick in the 6th round you can't address all needs. This draft should set the Steelers up to have a potent offense for years to come. However, questions still remain in the OL and if injury should occur in the DL it could be the achilles heel for the 09 season.

Draft Grade: B+