The Pittsburgh Steelers Should Have Drafted A Different Team

Below are the abbreviations for the positional players:


QB = quarterback
RB = running back
FB = full back
WR = wide receiver
TE = tight end

C = center
OT = offensive tackle
OG = offensive guard

DT = defensive tackle
DE = defensive end

LB = line backer

CB = corner back
S = safety
SS = strong safety
FS = free safety

P = punter
PK = place kicker
KR = kick returner

The Pittsburgh Steelers only had five draft picks in the 2003 NFL Draft. With the 16th overall selection, Pittsburgh drafted Troy Polamalu (S). Polamalu is one of the best safeties in the NFL, so Pittsburgh got a steal even though he was taken in the first round (he should have been drafted in the top 3 based on production). Troy Polamalu (a five-time Pro Bowler) was an excellent pick by the Steelers franchise.

Alonzo Jackson (LB) was picked in round 2. Jackson was a massive waste of a draft pick because he only played in nine games for Pittsburgh (and was never a starter). A much better draft selection here would have been Lance Briggs (LB), Jason Witten (TE), Terrence McGee (CB) or Asante Samuel (CB).

The Steelers selected Ike Taylor (CB) in the 4th round and is a solid player, but a bigger play maker like Robert Mathis (DE) was still on the board. In round 5, Pittsburgh chose Brian St. Pierre (QB). During his four years with the Steelers, St. Pierre played in only one game. A better option here would have been Dan Koppen (C) or Cato June (LB).

J.T. Wall (RB) was grabbed in the final round of the draft. Wall never played a game in the NFL. Three big future NFL stars actually went undrafted in 2003: Tony Romo (QB), Antonio Gates (TE) and Kris Dielman (OG). The Steelers could have drafted or signed these players to contracts as free agents.


Summary Of Players The Pittsburgh Steelers Should Have Acquired In 2003

Lance Briggs
Robert Mathis
Dan Koppen
Tony Romo
Antonio Gates
Kris Dielman

Ben Roethlisberger (QB) was drafted in the 2004 NFL Draft with the 11th overall selection. Roethlisberger guided the Steelers to a Super Bowl Championship in his 2nd year and was the youngest quarterback ever (23) to win a Super Bowl. That is a good use of a draft pick.

The Steelers picked Ricardo Colclough (CB) in the 2nd round. Colclough never started a game for Pittsburgh, which is horrible considering he was a 2nd round draft choice. A much better selection here would have been Bob Sanders (SS), Darnell Dockett (DT) or Nick Hardwick (C).

In round 3, Pittsburgh added Max Starks (OT) to their roster. Starks has started quite a few games for the team, but bigger impact players like Jared Allen (DE), Chris Cooley (TE), Nathan Vasher (CB) or Matt Schaub (QB) were still on the draft board.

Nathaniel Adibi (LB) was taken in the 5th round by the Steelers. Adibi never played a game for the franchise. The Steelers would have been better off drafting Michael Turner (RB).


Summary Of Players The Pittsburgh Steelers Should Have Acquired In 2004

Bob Sanders
Chris Cooley
Michael Turner

1. Ben Roethlisberger
2. Hines Ward
3. Mewelde Moore
4. Santonio Holmes
5. Willie Parker

With the 30th overall selection in the 2005 NFL Draft, the Steelers chose Heath Miller (TE). Miller is one of the better tight ends in the NFL, so this is a good selection by the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Bryant McFadden (CB) was taken in round 2 and was not worthy of a 2nd round selection since he was usually not even a starter. Frank Gore (RB) and Justin Tuck (DE) were still on the draft board. In the 3rd round, the Steelers drafted Trai Essex (OG) and was another guy that is just a bench player. Pittsburgh should have picked Brandon Jacobs (RB) or Marion Barber III (RB).

Pittsburgh selected Fred Gibson (WR) in round 4. Gibson was a horrible pick since he never made the team. A better draft choice here for the Steelers would have been Trent Cole (DE). The 5th round brought Rian Wallace (LB) to the Pittsburgh team. Wallace didn't play much for the Steelers, so a better option here would have been Jay Ratliff (DT).

Chris Kemoeatu (OG) was added to the Pittsburgh roster in round 6. In 2008, Kemoeatu became a starting guard since Alan Faneca left for the New York Jets. Even though Kemoeatu is a starter, the offensive line for Pittsburgh struggled several times during the '08 season. A better value pick here would have been Josh Cribbs (KR) who went undrafted in 2005. The Steelers did pickup a key undrafted free agent - wide receiver Nate Washington who has contributed to the offense when needed.


Summary Of Players The Pittsburgh Steelers Should Have Acquired In 2005

Justin Tuck
Brandon Jacobs
Trent Cole
Jay Ratliff
Josh Cribbs

In the 2006 NFL Draft, the Steelers picked Santonio Holmes (WR) with the 25th overall selection. Holmes was starting to turn it on in his sophomore year in the NFL. However, in 2008, his production had declined. The Steelers could have gotten more value out of this draft selection with a player like Greg Jennings (WR), DeAngelo Williams (RB), Nick Mangold (C), DeMeco Ryans (LB), Devin Hester (KR), Maurice Jones-Drew (RB) or Marcus McNeill (OT).

In round 2, Pittsburgh had two draft picks: Anthony Smith (S) and Willie Reid (WR). Smith is not much of a play maker and Reid only played in seven games for the Steelers in two years. Better draft choices here would have been Owen Daniels (TE) and Brandon Marshall (WR).

The Pittsburgh Steelers had two more draft selections in the 4th round, which were used on Willie Colon (OG) and Orien Harris (DT). Colon has developed into a starting offensive linemen so he was a good selection, but Harris never played a game for the Pittsburgh franchise. Instead of Harris, the Steelers should have drafted Antoine Bethea (FS).

In the 5th round of the draft, Pittsburgh chose Omar Jacobs (QB) and Charles Davis (TE). Both of these players also failed to play in at least one game for the Steelers. Pittsburgh should have chosen Cortland Finnegan (CB) and Marques Colston (WR).


Summary Of Players The Pittsburgh Steelers Should Have Acquired In 2006

Greg Jennings
Owen Daniels
Brandon Marshall
Antoine Bethea
Cortland Finnegan
Marques Colston

The Steelers didn't have to make perfect draft picks with every one of their draft selections, but just a few different players would have helped this team overcome injuries and inconsistent play from other players. Even though the Steelers are often picked as playoff favorites, better drafting will help a team reach more Super Bowls.

By drafting the team below, the Steelers would be a much more dominate team than it is today. The Pittsburgh Steelers "dream team" is based on team needs and draft pick locations. How much scarier would the Steelers' defense be with players like Justin Tuck, Lance Briggs and Bob Sanders?

Ben Roethlisberger (QB)
Tony Romo (QB)

Michael Turner (RB)
Brandon Jacobs (RB)

Brandon Marshall (WR)
Marques Colston (WR)
Nate Washington (WR)

Antonio Gates (TE)
Heath Miller (TE)
Owen Daniels (TE)

Marcus McNeill (OT)
Kris Dielman (OG)
Willie Colon (OG)

Jay Ratliff (DT)
Justin Tuck (DE)
Trent Cole (DE)
Robert Mathis (DE)

Lance Briggs (LB)
Cato June (LB)

Cortland Finnegan (CB)
Nathan Vasher (CB)
Bob Sanders (SS)
Antoine Bethea (FS)

Josh Cribbs (KR)