As a Steeler fan I’ll give my take on their 2008 draft -

1. Rashard Mendenhall – Everyone expected an offensive lineman, but truthfully the F.O. may have done more to protect Big Ben with this selection than any of the linemen available. Linemen generally take a couple seasons to fully integrate into the lineup and improve overall line play. RB, on the other hand have a much shorter learning curve to having an impact. Mendenhall, by all indications has the potential to be a workhorse back who catches the ball well and is not afraid to block. He will be doing this, on at least a part time basis, from Game 1 as a Steeler. Having a reliable target out of the backfeild (Mo Jones-Drew, Reggie Bush) for quick checkoff passes can do wonders for a QB in terms of slowng down the pass rush and blitzing from across the line. Having a solid 230 pound blocker to pick up those rogue blitzers who get into the backfield is a huge help as well. Finally, if Big Ben is nicked, or having a rough game, he can just drop back and hand the ball off most of the time.

2. Limas Sweed – Club was targeting a receiver, (preferably a taller one) at some point in the draft. Sweed seems like as good an option as any. Of the three taller receivers who were considered likely to go in the first two rounds, the former Texas Longhorn was the fastest, the most mature, and the lowest character risk alongside Malcolm Kelly and James Hardy. Prior to his disastrous, injury shortened senior year, Limas was generally accorded the top prospect status at the position, similar to Santonio Holmes in 2006.

3. Bruce Davis – Club went out on a bit more of a limb with Davis, who is too light to play DE, and hasn’t shown he can play LB full time. But historically they have had pretty good success with these 3-4 conversion projects, and Dick LeBeau certainly has been around long enough to recognize when it is likely to work. Steelers probably jumped him up on their own list for his charisma factor, not disimilar to what Joey Porter brought to the team for many years.

4. Tony Hills – Hills comes from the same Longhorn unit as Sweed. The rangy left offensive tackle was more highly rated than his teammate as a recruit (albeit at TE), and more highy rated as a senior (First Team All Big 12 and First Team All America). He represents excellant value when compared to some of the linemen who were drafted three rounds before him. Hills is one of the rare players who posesses all of the raw tools to be an NFL left offensive tackle. Most college players at the position end up moving to a less vulnerable position. But Tony just needs to add some bulk and work on his technique for a year or two.

5. Dennis Dixon – The time is now to find a replacement for Charlie Batch as backup to Ben Roethlisberger. Both Big Ben and Charlie have shown themselves to be injury prone over the past few seasons. Batch is into his mid 30s and wasn’t very effiective when he had to come in this past season. For all the talk of Dixon as a conversion project to another position, I think he was simply the best alternative at QB at that point in the draft. He had a great senior season and showed both top notch passing skill and good mobility at Oregon. I don’t think the team is too concerned about his knee surgery since his first year as a pro will be spent sitting and learning in any case.

6. Mike Humpal – Discount version of Chad Greenway who he replaced at Iowa two years ago. Humpal is similar in most respects to Greenway, although he isn’t quite as fast or good in coverage. Still, the 6-3 245 pounder put up some very good pro day and Combine numbers for someone who is supposedly not that athletic. Overall his measurables were as good as #17 overall pick Greenway and better than most tested at e position in this years crop. Had good on field production as well, one of the leading tacklers among outside linebackers last season, and a position high 6 pass interceptions over the past two seasons.

6. Ryan Mundy – A Steeler specific pick, Mundy has local roots and plays a postion (centerfield safety) that is a real concern for the team at the moment. Troy Polamalu has one safety spot locked down for the forseeable future, but he needs to be complemented by a smart, mobile, pass defender at the other spot. Ryan Clark is breaking down and Anthony Smith is a more physical type similar to Polamalu. Mundy is taller, fairly mobile, and very smart on and off the field.