The Steelers have acquired 28-year old CB Bryant McFadden from the Cardinals for a 5th round pick.  McFadden played in all 16 games for the Cardinals last season and he had 69 tackles, 1 tackle for a loss and he defensed 15 passes.  He has played in 67 games (51 with the Steelers) in his NFL career in which he has 204 tackles, he has defensed 47 passes, has 2 sacks, forced 1 fumble and he has 7 interceptions (1 returned for a TD).  The Steelers have to be ecstatic to get McFadden back for 2010 as their corners stunk it up last season.

The Steelers have picked WR/PR Emmanuel Sanders with the 82nd overall pick (3rd round) of the NFL Draft.  Sanders is a little guy at 5′10″, 182 pounds but he’s lightning quick running a 4.47 40.  Sanders played in 13 games (all starts) at SMU last season and he caught 98 passes for 1,339 yards (13.7 avg) with 7 TD grabs.  He played in 47 games (39 starts) in his four years at SMU and he caught 285 passes for 3,791 yards (13.3 avg) with 34 TD grabs.  Sanders probably projects out to be a #3 or #4 WR in the NFL but he should help out the Steelers on special teams also which gives him more value as he returned punts in college.

The Steelers picked OLB/DE Jason Worilds out of Virginia Tech in the second round (52nd pick) of the NFL Draft.  Worilds is probably too small to be an end in the NFL unless he puts on some weight.  But, he is the classic Steelers’ type of player as he is big and fast standing at 6′0″, 260 pounds and he runs a 4.7 40.  He played in 13 games (all starts) at Virginia Tech last season and he made 49 tackles, 11 tackles for a loss, had 4.5 sacks and he broke up 1 pass.  Worilds played in 41 games (25 starts) in his four years at Va. Tech and he finished up with 132 tackles, 34 tackles for a loss, 15 sacks and he broke up 2 passes.  Worilds will have to adjust to playing without a hand on the ground and that could take some time.  It was little shock to see the Steelers draft a player with the skill set of Worilds in the second round.

The Steelers have selected center Maurkice Pouncey out of Florida with the 18th pick of the first round of the NFL Draft.  Pouncey played in 14 games (all starts) with the Gators last season.  The Steelers probably were upset when the Niners selected guard Mike Iupati at #17.  That is probably the reason for the Pouncey pick as he then became the best interior lineman with Iupati off the board.  Pouncey played 11 games at right guard for Florida in 2007 so he has versatility to play wherever the Steelers need him inside.  Pouncey played in 41 games (39 starts) in his three years with Florida.  He is a big, strong guy at 6′4″, 315 pounds and he’s nasty so he should fit in well with the Steelers who need help on the interior of the O-Line.

The Steelers have been busy this off-season as they have signed 5 free agents and traded for QB Byron Leftwich.  Still, the Steelers have a lot of holes that need filled and they hope to fix some of them up this weekend in the NFL Draft.  The Steelers have 3 of the top 82 picks in the draft and they have 11 overall picks with at least one in every round.  That gives them plenty of ammo to move up if there is someone they really want still on the board.  They could even have more picks if they trade disgruntled QB Ben Roethlisberger.  The Steelers have needs at OT, OG, NT, CB, DE and S so they have a lot of work to do before the 2010 season starts.  OT Anthony Davis, OT Bruce Campbell, OG Mike Iupati, DE Brandon Graham, S Taylor Mays and CBs Perrish Cox & Patrick Robinson all are likely being targeted by the Steelers in the first round of the draft.

PROJECTED FIRST ROUND PICK:  Mike Iupati, G, Idaho