Will the Steelers go cornerback on Day 3?
Round 4 of the NFL draft kicks off at 10:00 a.m. this morning. The Steelers have seven picks in day 3. One in the fourth round, four in the Fifth round and a sixth and seventh round pick.
In day 2 the Steelers addressed their depth at outside linebacker with their second round selection and added wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders in the third round.
The surprise was the Steelers didn’t address the cornerback position on day 2 or was it a surprise? The Steelers not addressing the cornerback position on day 2 shows three things;
1. The Steelers don’t see the secondary as a problem like others do.
2. The team believes that 2009 draft picks Keenan Lewis and Joe Burnett are ready to contribute.
3. The team is optimistic that William Gay will have a bounce back season
One man who is likely very happy that the Steelers didn’t go cornerback is Deshea Townsend who is hopeful to come back to the Steelers in 2010.
On Day 3, the Steelers needs are cornerback or safety and running back. Adding another interior lineman is also likely in the late rounds.
Word out of Steelers headquarters is that the team was looking make a play for safety Major Wright last night in the third round. If the Steelers go the safety postion, Kansas State’s Darrell Stuckey could be on their radar.
At the cornerback position there is still a solid group of 4-5 players left on the board who have a lot of upside.
Dominique Franks (Oklahoma), Akwasi Owusu-Ansah (Indiana, PA), Perrish Cox (Oklahoma State), Al Jefferson (Fresno State) and Walter Thurmond (Oregon) headlined the group of cornerbacks left and all five of them are considered very good values in the 4th round.

The LaGarrette Blount watch will also begin for Pittsburgh today. The team is believed to be high on Blount but it remains to be seen how they view his character cocerns.
Another running back of interest is Mississippi State’s Anthony Dixon. A power back that is considered a steal in the 4th or 5th round.
Georgia Tech’s Jonathan Dwyer and USC’s Joe McKnight are also left on the board. The Steelers were linked to McKnight in day 2.
An under-the-radar back to keep an eye on is SMU’s Shawnbrey McNeal. The Steelers had an interest in the elusive back at the combine.
Pitt tight ends Dorin Dickerson and Nate Byham also remain on the board heading into day 3.
The Steelers met with both players this off-season and are believed to have an interest in Byham who is regarded as one of the best blocking tight ends in the draft.
The Steelers depth chart though is deep at tight end but they lack a solid No. 2 or No. 3 blocking tight end that can play a Jermaine Tuman type of role.