2008 NFL Draft: Pittsburgh Steelers Mock Draft

The 2008 NFL draft is rapidly approaching, and the Pittsburgh Steelers have plenty to focus on heading into that critical weekend in April.

The draft always represents a time when teams focus on needs and replace older players or those who leave during free agency.

The Steelers have made their name in the draft—the Cower era was paramount as an example of what teams can accomplish by evaluating talent and picking players that fit a system rather than blowing millions on superstar players that may or may not pan out for a new team.

The Steelers have a major focus for the 2008 draft: offensive line.

The 2007 edition was a porus group that failed to live up to expectations, and were part of the reason the team was sent to the offseason with a first-round playoff loss to Jacksonville.

All-Pro guard Alan Faneca was not given the "Franchise Tag" and will not re-sign with the team, and that leaves a huge hole on a line that already had plenty of questions. After the line the Steelers also have to address the corps of linebackers and corners on the team in terms of both age and ability.

This being said, this is a "mock" draft of sorts for the Steelers in the 2008 draft...

1st Round: OT Jeff Otah (6’6” 341 lbs.)
University of Pittsburgh

The first-round pick for the Steelers in 2008 is a no-brainer—Go big.

Pittsburgh’s offensive line was far from elite last season, and with Alan Faneca’s bags packed it goes without saying that the team needs offensive linemen to protect Big Ben and effectively run the football.

Otah was a two-year standout at Pitt despite not playing football in high school and having limited Division I experience. Teams love his size as a tackle prospect, but Otah has a long way to go to prove he can play left tackle and protect the blindside of a franchise quarterback.

Drafting Otah also gives the Steelers flexibility on the line. Moved to tackle last season, Willie Colon could move back inside to his more natural guard position, and if he plays well it could make the loss of Faneca less catastrophic than it seems at the moment.

Furthermore, with Max Starks’ future with the team in limbo, the team could be looking at two holes to fill on the depth chart before the April draft.  Monday morning quarterbacks were quick to tab the Steelers line as one of the worst in the league after last season, but with a great first round addition of Otah at pick No. 23, the Black and Gold could be on their way to creating a dominant offensive line once again.

2nd Round: CB Charles Godfrey (6’, 207 lbs.)
University of Iowa

With all the attention being paid to holes on the offensive line, the Steelers would be remiss to not take steps to improve their aging secondary. Godfrey is a solid second-round pick and physically he is a first-round pick—rare height for a corner, track-star speed—but he made the switch from safety to corner before his junior season, so his full potential at either position has yet to be realized.

His versatility makes him a valuable selection for the Steelers. He can contribute at free safety to push or replace Anthony Smith or eventually work back to the corner spot where the Steelers currently have a 33-year-old Deshea Townsend, a perennial underachiever in Ike Taylor, and a still unproven Bryant McFadden and William Gay.

Godfrey is excellent in zone coverage, which immediately puts him on the short list for the Steelers 3-4 zone scheme, and is aggressive in run support with great open-field tackling ability. Godfrey is a hard-worker and team leader, just the type of player the Steelers have been drafting for years now, and he would be a huge asset for Mike Tomlin to pick up in the early rounds.

3rd Round: WR Adarius Bowman (6’4” 220 lbs.)
Oklahoma State University

A hidden gem in this years draft class may be the answer to Big Ben’s cries for a tall receiver. With a large amount of receivers going in the early rounds, the Steelers may have the chance to grab Bowman in the third round.

Bowman transferred to Oklahoma St. after an off-field incident led to his dismissal from North Carolina

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