32. Evander "Ziggy" Hood, NT/DE, Missouri (grade C-)
I have to say I'm a bit puzzled with this pick. Of course I hope my gut is wrong on Hood. I see Hood as a real tweener in a 3-4. He's not your ideal height to play DE and not the ideal weight to play NT. I have to believe their plan is to bulk him up and teach him to play NT. There has been a lot said that this could be Casey Hampton's final year as a Steelers, which would leave a huge hole in the defense. I think Hood may have been a rare reach out of need for the Steelers. The lack of solid NT prospects this year and also projecting next year could have been a motivating factor. My biggest problem with the pick is Hood's weaknesses appear to be vital ingredients for a defensive linemen in a 3-4. Hood does not take on blocks very well and plays more like a penetrating DT than a run stuffer or block eater. Non the less Hood is a high character guy and a Steelers guy. He does have some upside and hopefully with some development he can prove many of us wrong in years to come.
79. Kraig Urbik, OG/RT, Wisconsin (grade D)
Kraig Urbik is another pick I'm not very happy about. Again, hopefully I'm wrong. Based on my personal rankings, Urbik was drafted about 15-20 spots too high. More so than that, I feel there were better options out there. I do feel in time Urbik can become a quality player at either guard or right tackle (likely guard), but he is in essence their 2nd round pick and just not a good value in my opinion as their 2nd pick.
84. Mike Wallace, WR, Mississippi (grade B-)
Personally I would have gone a different direction with this pick, but it is still a solid pick non the less. With the Steelers looking to replace Nate Washington, Wallace is a very good fit. Physically Wallace is very comparable to Washington. The direction I would have prefered would to get someone a little different than Washington. My pick would have been Mike Thomas, WR, Arizona.
96. Keenan Lewis, CB, Oregon State (grade A)
This is a pick I like a lot. I think the Steelers got very good value here (I ranked him 78th overall) and fill a need. Lewis is in my eyes one of the more underated prospects in this class. I was very impressed with him at the Senior Bowl, and he looks like a potential starter in time.
168. Joe Burnett, CB/KR, Central Florida (grade A+)
My favorite pick of the Steelers draft. Burnett can flat out play and was a huge steal in my eyes (I ranked him 96th overall) and the Steelers best value of the draft. Burnett not only fills a need at CB, but is the only player in the country who was in the top 10 of both kick returns and punt returns. Burnett could also project as a free safety. Burnett and Lewis could be a future tandem with a lot of potential.
169. Frank Summers, FB/RB, Nevada-Las Vegas (grade B-)
This is a pick I like a lot, but they could have probably gotten a tad later. Summers potentially could replace both Cary Davis and Gary Russell which could save a roster spot. Summers fits in nicely as a lead blocker and a short yardage back.
205. Ra'Shon Harris, DE, Oregon (pick B+)
At this point in the draft you can only hope to get decent value on someone who has some upside and fits a need, Harris does that. Harris will be a developmental player who we probably won't hear much about for a few years. Fortunately the Steelers are still a few years away from needing a new starter at DE. Harris may or may not be that guy, but he's got solid potential and is a nice fit for the 3-4.
226. A.Q. Shipley, C, Penn State (pick A)
Gotta love this pick. Shipley looked like a kid who would land somewhere in the 4th-5th round range, so the Steelers get good value here non the less. Who can complain about the Steelers getting a kid from Coraopolis, Pa. Ironically Shipley reminds me of someone I played with in Coraopolis, Pa at Robert Morris named Hank Fraley. Fraley started his career with the Steelers and was lights out in training camp, but became a numbers casulty and was cut by the Steelers. Fraley has had a solid career with the Eagles and the Browns.
241. David Johnson, TE, Arkansas State (grade D)
Not really much to say here, Johnson is somebody I know nothing about.
Overall Grade: B-
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