PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — The Steelers have depth issues at a variety of positions.

They can use help on the offensive line, at inside linebacker and in the defensive backfield. Potentially running back as well.

So the draft board is wide open, and one of the things the Steelers do better than just about every team is they don’t miss on their first-round draft pick.

Every first-round pick since 2000 has either starred or contributed in Pittsburgh.

“You can’t miss on (picks) one, two or three,” Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert said. “Those are premium picks. You shouldn’t miss on a first-rounder. To me, that’s a given.

“The twos and threes, if you miss on one of those it sets you back. You better hope you got lucky in the later rounds to compensate for that.”

The Steelers have done a lot of preparation for this draft. The evaluation process goes deep and includes character, talent and a winning history.

“I think that winning is valuable, but not only in the highest level — in terms of guys from Alabama or LSU — but also guys from North Dakota State,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. “Guys that have won, regardless of where they’ve played, I believe that winning is contagious, I believe there’s a certain mind set that’s associated with winning, whether they’re at the 1-A level or the 1-AA level or Division II level.

“If they come from a successful high school program, I believe there’s intrinsic value in winning.”

Pittsburgh typically doesn’t trade up or down, but on occasion they have – when guys like Troy Polamalu become available.

That will remain an option.

RELATED LINKS
Steelers News
NFL News
CBS Steelers