All things considered, the Steelers did another damn good job in the draft this year. In addition to some nice pickups on the O-line (guard Alan Faneca & tackle Chris Conrad), Cowher and Company snagged a couple of real steals in Hines Ward (Slash, part II) and Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala (a real bulldozer). I was a little stunned that we picked up ZERO LBs, and the corners that were drafted are pretty shrimpy, but overall, I'm pleased. On the lighter side, I can't WAIT to hear good 'ole Myron Cope try to pronounce Fuamatu-Ma'afala's name! |
Rnd | Name | School |
1 | Alan Faneca: OG | Louisiana State |
2 | Jeremy Staat: DT | Arizona State |
2 | Traded to N.Y. Jets | |
3 | Chris Conrad: OT | Fresno State |
3 | Traded to N.Y. Jets | |
3 | Hines Ward: WR | Georgia |
4 | Deshea Townsend: DB | Alabama |
4 | Carlos King: FB | N.C. State |
5 | Jason Simmons: CB | Arizona State |
5 | Traded to N.Y. Jets | |
6 | Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala: RB | Utah |
6 | Ryan Olson: NT | Colorado |
7 | Traded to Atlanta | |
7 | Traded to Atlanta | |
7 | Traded to Atlanta | |
7 | Angel Rubio: DT | Southeast Missouri St. |
A very aggressive player who transferred to Arizona State after two years at Bakersfield Community College in California. ... Has been timed at 4.96 seconds in the 40, which is good for a player his size. ... Staat was in on 62 tackles this past season with 20 of them being tackles for losses. Also had 9 ½ sacks from his tackle position. ... Was a first-team All-American Selection by the Football Writers Association this past season and was the only junior college transfer named to the team. ... Had perhaps his best game against Brigham Young with 10 tackles and a pass break up. Had nine tackles with five stops behind the line of scrimmage against Arizona. Closed out his college career with six tackles and three sacks against Iowa in Sun Bowl. ... As a junior, he played in every game as a reserve defensive tackle. Staat was in on 22 tackles that season. ... In junior college, Staat played offensive tackle as a sophomore and tight end as a freshman. ... Staat is also a track athlete and placed fifth in the shot put (56-3) and fourth in the discus (180-1) at the Sun Angel Track Classic. ... Has outstanding strength and bench pressed 225 pounds 30 times at combine. ... Played at Bakersfield High School in California and lettered three time in track. ... Born in Bakersfield, Cal., and is an elementary education major.