Steelers likely to draft a QB

Despite protests to the contrary, I believe the Steelers will take a flyer on a QB sometime in the later rounds of the 2010 draft. Unless the team trades for veteran Byron Leftwich (who served as Ben Roethlisberger's backup in 2008), a move I support, the team almost has to draft a QB to serve as the third-stringer (assuming Big Ben is unavailable for part or all of the 2010 season).

Meanwhile, it's my contention that Roethlisberger is potentially in a lot more trouble than most NFL fans realize.

Steelers sign draft choices Davis, Hills and Dixon

Pittsburgh came to terms with three of its seven draft picks yesterday, signing third-rounder Bruce Davis (LB, UCLA), fourth-round selection Tony Hills (OT, Texas) and fifth-round choice Dennis Dixon (QB, Oregon). According to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Davis received a signing bonus of $506,000, while Hills got $304,500 and Dixon took in $130,000. All three received three-year contracts that pay NFL base minimum salaries of $295,000 in 2008, $385,000 in 2009 and $470,000 in 2010.

Jersey numbers for Steelers' draft picks

In case you were wondering, the Steelers will issue the following jersey numbers to this year's draft class:

2 - QB Dennis Dixon
14 - WR Limas Sweed
29 - S Ryan Mundy
34 - RB Rashard Mendenhall
53 - LB Bruce Davis
55 - LB Mike Humpal
66 - OT Tony Hills

First impressions of Steelers' third-, fourth-, fifth- and sixth-round picks

Guest commentary by Nick Beckwith:

Third-rounder Bruce Davis (UCLA) was as good a pick as the two on the first day. “All he can do is sack the quarterback.” This is the kind of criticism one likes to hear about a player one’s team selects. Anyway, I am not inclined to question the Steelers’ judgment when it comes to linebackers. Since 1970 there have only been five years when there wasn’t at least one Steeler linebacker in the Pro Bowl.

Fourth-rounder Tony Hills (Texas) is easily the most intriguing player in this draft. At the end of his senior year in high school he damaged his peroneal nerve when he tore his LCL. Doctors told him he might never walk normally again, and he made his recruiting trip to Texas in a wheelchair! He started 24 games at left tackle during his junior and senior years, so I am optimistic. If his drop foot condition is cleared up he may be a steal. And team physicians Jim Bradley and Joseph Maroon (neurologist) have excellent reputations, which gives me some confidence.

In the fifth round the Steelers added Dennis Dixon, QB from Oregon. Let me be blunt; this was a stupid pick. Yes, the Steelers need to develop a young backup for Ben Roethlisberger, and though they say otherwise Dixon might be useful as a slash player. But he will not be any help early this season, as he is still rehabbing his knee.

Round 6: Mike Humpal (Iowa) is a solid pick who played weakside LB in Iowa’s 4-3. He’s a high motor, overachiever type who will likely contribute on special teams. As I said earlier, I am reluctant to second-guess the Steelers when it comes to linebackers.

Finally, there’s the enigma of Ryan Mundy (West Virginia), who reportedly has experience at both free safety and cornerback. Obviously the Steelers think more of him than other NFL teams and scouting services. But that is not necessarily an accurate barometer.

Steelers' fifth-round pick is Dennis Dixon

In round five Pittsburgh selected Oregon QB Dennis Dixon, hardly a surprise since the Steelers need to begin thinking about developing Ben Roethlisberger's future backup. Pro Football Weekly's draft preview describes Dixon as a "raw passer who will require patience and considerable grooming to adapt to a pro-style offense.... Has enough tools to develop if he continues to work at his craft."

Draft prospects who met with the Steelers

It should be interesting to see if the Steelers select one or more of these players during the draft....

Branden Albert, G/T, Virginia; Cliff Avril, DE/LB, Purdue; Joseph "Red" Bryant, DT, Texas A&M; Jehuu Caulcrick, RB, Michigan State; Gosder Cherilus, OT, Boston College; Shawn Crable, DE/OLB, Michigan; Dennis Dixon, QB, Oregon; Keilen Dykes, DE, West Virginia; Charles Godfrey, CB, Iowa; Quentin Groves, DE/LB, Auburn; James Hardy, WR, Indiana; Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida; Chris Johnson, RB, East Carolina; Jason Jones, DE, Eastern Michigan; Malcolm Kelly, WR, Oklahoma; Kendall Langford, DE, Hampton; Jerod Mayo, LB, Tennessee; Brandon McAnderson, FB, Kansas; Dre Moore, DT, Maryland; Orlando Scandrick, CB, Boise State; Jerome Simpson, WR, Coastal Carolina; Matthew Slater, KR, UCLA; Jonathan Stewart, RB, Oregon; Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas; Ryan Torain, RB, Arizona State; Mario Urrutia, WR, Lousville; Philip Wheeler, LB, Georgia Tech.

The team may also have met with "local" players Jeff Otah, OT, Pittsburgh; Mike McGlynn, OG, Pittsburgh; and Darrell Strong, TE, Pittsburgh; as well as Ryan Mundy, S, West Virginia.