Steelers Pre-Draft Visits, Next Phase, Legends Draft

The 2015 NFL Draft is just a few days away and offseason workout programs are starting across the league. While the Steelers get ready to build their big board and head out on the practice fields we’ll be busy looking for mentions of your Black & Gold so we’ve got you covered. Here’s your Steelers Morning Huddle for Friday, April 24^th.

Visits complete

The Steelers wrapped up their pre-draft visits this week and hosted 29 out of a possible 30 potential draft picks at their South Side headquarters, according to ESPN’s Scott Brown. Brown notes that the Steelers hosted nine cornerbacks, signifying their intent to finally address the position they’ve neglected to draft high for several years.

Brown also suggests that the most interesting visitor was Washington’s cornerback Marcus Peters. Peters could be available to the Steelers at the No. 22 pick but has some red flags considering that he was kicked off of Washington’s team after run-ins with the coaching staff. Also noteworthy is that the Steelers did not host any running backs with their visits, even though there is a need at the position.

Old with the old, in with the…

The Steelers defense is going to look a lot different this season. That’s for sure. For one, Keith Butler will be the main man with the head set on the sidelines instead of Dick LeBeau. When it comes to the players, did the Steelers take too long saying goodbye to the old guard?

The PPG’s Ed Bouchette asked that question to former Steelers head coach Bill Cowher, the man responsible in part for helping build some of the greatest defenses this team has ever had. He had to let some veterans go and plug younger guys into the system as well and Cowher thinks the Steelers defense isn’t far off from returning to greatness.

"“You’d like to upgrade the secondary and find a pass-rusher. It comes down to those two things. If they can get those two things, they’re not that far away from being a good team.” – Bill Cowher"

What the Steelers will need is players to come in and start immediately, and make an immediate impact to the defensive unit, something that hasn’t really been the case for the team, even back in Cowher’s days.

"“Ideally, you’re brining in a young player who learns the system and doesn’t go through the growing pains. Joey Porter didn’t start day one. You’d like them to come in and learn to understand the system and its idiosyncrasies. You try to make that transition smooth.” – Bill Cowher"

Legends at the draft

The NFL likes to give people other than diehards a reason to tune in to rounds 2-7 of the NFL Draft so a while ago they came up with the idea to let NFL legends announce the picks instead of the boring, old Commissioner.

Mark Kaboly of the Trib reports that the Steelers will have Hall of Fame cornerback Mel Blount announcing their second-round pick in Chicago on May 1^st. The Steelers have previously had Terry Hanratty, Merrill Hoge, Dermontti Dawson and Franco Harris announce pics in the second-rounds of prior years. Maybe Blount will be saying the name of the Steelers next great cornerback?

Next: Steelers Bryant: Year 2

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