2013 NFL Draft: Defense looking to be a priority for Pittsburgh Steelers
By Matt Shetler
With only three weeks until the 2013 NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers have appeared to make a statement that upgrading on the defensive side of the ball is their top priority.
If you judge by the amount of visits the Steelers have had already this week, then all signs could point to the Steelers upgrading at linebacker when the draft rolls around.
Oct 20, 2012; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights linebacker Khaseem Greene (20) prior to playing the Temple Owls at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA. Rutgers defeated Temple 35-10. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports
NFL teams are allowed 30 official visits for draft eligible players this week alone they have already used 13 of those.
Of those 13 visits, seven of those are linebackers, most notably Georgia’s Jarvis Jones. Along with Jones, other confirmed visits have included: John Simon, Ohio State; Vince Williams, Florida State; Jamie Collins, Southern Mississippi; Khaseem Greene, Rutgers; Michael Mauti, Penn State and Malliciah Goodman, Clemson.
Most experts would point to the Steelers addressing the linebacker or safety position early in the draft and the Steelers are exploring both options as they have brought in three safeties as well, including: Duke Williams, Nevada; Jonathan Meeks, Clemson and Phillip Thomas, Fresno State.
However after losing Mike Wallace in free agency and watching their rushing attack sink to one of the worst in the NFL in 2012, the Steelers also must add weapons at both positions. However to date; only three of the 13 players to visit are on the offensive side of the ball.
They include: wide receiver Josh Boyce, TCU; along with running backs Christine Michael, Texas A&M and Jonathan Franklin, UCLA.
There is no doubt that the Steelers need to get younger and add some talent on the defensive side of the ball and judging by what they have brought in so far, they likely will be looking to address their needs defensively.
Of course that doesn’t mean they won’t look to add playmakers on the offensive side of the ball as well. Steelers’ general manager Kevin Colbert and his staff could just being doing their due diligence ad taking a look at as many options as possible.
But I wouldn’t be surprised in the least if the 2013 NFL Draft turns into a defensive heavy draft for the Steelers.
There’s a need for an upgrade and all signs point to the Steelers addressing that need come the end of April.