Mr. Washington Goes to Tennessee

Former No. 3 wide receiver Nate Washington is now a member of the Tennessee Titans, having signed a six-year $27 million contract to play in Nashville. This strikes me as a lot of money to be paying Washington, and certainly a lot more than the Steelers would ever have considered spending on him.

But now the Steelers really lack depth at wide receiver, and will almost certainly use a high draft choice on a wideout in the coming draft, most likely on a player who can also return kicks. In fact, it wouldn't surprise me if the Steelers draft two wide receivers in the upcoming draft - one high and one in the later rounds - as the Steelers have nothing behind Limas Sweed, who now moves up to become the team's No. 3 wideout.

Steelers' second-round pick is Limas Sweed

Another player the team didn't expect to be available this late in the draft.... In round two the Steelers added Limas Sweed, WR, Texas. Obviously, wide receiver is a huge area of need as going into this weekend Pittsburgh had no proven NFL caliber wideouts on its roster after Hines Ward, Santonio Holmes and Nate Washington, leaving at least two spots open. In Pro Football Weekly's draft preview Sweed's bio concludes: "If he continues to make strides in the pros like he did in college he could be a legitimate No. 1 receiver."

Wilson released following arrest

The Steelers have released veteran WR Cedrick Wilson in the wake of Wilson's arrest for assault, harassment and disorderly conduct on Wednesday night. Considering that Wilson has been involved in at least one other unflattering incident since joining the team, coupled with the fact that he is entering the last year of his contract, it's no surprise that Rooney & Co. decided to part ways with him. However, the move leaves the team very thin at wide receiver, with Hines Ward, Santonio Holmes and Nate Washington the only proven wideouts still on the roster.

Fantasy Draft Board "Mis-Underestimates" Steelers?

Today, Pro Football Weekly (PFW) unveiled its offseason fantasy draft board, ranking quarterbacks, running backs, tight ends, placekickers and defenses. With the exception of Willie Parker (#8 at RB and #9 overall) the fantasy talent evaluators at PFW don't think highly of the Steelers' offensive players. Ben Roethlisberger and Charlie Batch are ranked 17th and 54th, respectively, at the QB position. Najeh Davenport and Kevan Barlow are 60th and 89th on the RB board. And Hines Ward, Santonio Holmes, Cedrick Wilson and Nate Washington are 18th, 41st, 83rd and 93rd, respectively, at wide receiver. Meanwhile, PFW has Heath Miller rated #22 among tight ends and PK Jeff Reed ranked 22nd among kickers. The Steelers are listed as the seventh-best fantasy defense, however.

Click here to view the draft board.