The Steelers came into the second day of the draft with eight picks to make and I surely did not think they would finish the day with eight players picked. I thought they would package a few to move up earlier in a round. Maybe they tried and just did not have what teams wanted to move up. Regardless, we can now welcome eight additional players to the Steelers fold to join Evander "Ziggy" Hood who was drafted on Saturday.
The Steelers had a busy third round, beginning with offensive linemen Kraig Urbik from Wisconsin. Although listed as a tackle, Urbik is expected to begin working at the right guard position and add depth to the offensive line. He can play all of the interior line positions and is very versatile. Eventually in future years, could be a starting right or left guard, but for now should be a backup.
With the second third round pick, Mike Wallace from Mississippi was selected. Wallace is a burner who can stretch the field and will push second year receiver Limas Sweed for the number three receiver position. Wallace also set records at Mississippi as a kickoff returner, which is a need for the Steelers as well. Wallace should have no problem making the final 53 roster.
The Steelers final third round draft pick was cornerback Keenan Lewis from Oregon State. This was a bit of a surprise pick for me as I thought the Steelers would address the tackle position, but with all the big name tackles off the board, they decided to choose a big corner. Secondary Coach Ray Horton compares him to Ike Taylor. Lewis is a bit of a swing guy that may be looked at as a safety if he struggles at corner.
After sitting out the fourth round, the Steelers used the two fifth round picks on two players they knew a ton about. Cornerback Joe Burnett from Central Florida and Frank "Tank" Sanders from UNLV have been on the Steelers radar for a while and both were pre draft visitors. Burnett is considered as a third-down nickel corner and can return both punts and kickoffs. Sanders is a bruising running back in a fullback body that will look to make the team as a short yardage goal line back and also be used as a fullback. Sanders can run inside the tackles and can be used much like Jerome Bettis was in the offense.
Rounding at the 6th and 7th rounds were defensive end Ra'shon "Sonny" Harris from Oregon in the 6th, Penn State center A.Q. Shipley in the 7th and tight end David Johnson from Arkansas State also in the 7th. Both Harris and Shipley were pre draft visitors to the Steelers and both are long shots to make the final 53. Johnson will be a camp body and barring injury or a spectacular camp, seems a long shot to crack the final 53.
I grade day 2 a B-, just as I did day one. Three or four of these day two picks could make the roster with Summers and Wallace having the best chance to contribute immediately. The overall draft grade is a B- as the Steelers did exactly what they said they would do. They filled need and did it with good character players. I would of liked to seen a true tackle taken, but think Hood, Urbik, Wallace and Summers could be Steeler contributors for many years. The 2009 draft class is not spectacular and the Steelers got the most out of it overall. If either corner can contribute it would be a bonus.
Now that the 2009 NFL draft is complete the Steelers will begin signing some undrafted players. we will update this post throughout the evening as the list of undrafted signings and commitments come across the wire. Check back soon.
STEELERS
LS Mark Estermyer (Pitt)
LB Tom Korte (Hillsdale College)
T Ramon Foster (Tennessee)
QB Mike Reilly (Central Washington)
WR Tyler Grisham (Clemson)
S Derrick Richardson (New Mexico State)
QB Kevin McCabe (Virginia)
LB Andy Schantz (Portland State)
WR Steven Black (Memphis)
DT Jeff Bradley (Carolina)
WR Cedrick Goodman (Georgia)
DT Steve McLendon (Troy)
RB Isaac Redman (Boise State)
Below are other NFL teams undrafted free agent signings as they come in:
San Diego Chargers
T Samuel Allen (Grand Valley State)
LB Darry Beckwith (LSU)
RB Curtis Brinkley (Syracuse)
WR Greg Carr (Florida State)
WR Jeremy Childs (Boise State)
LB Anthony Felder (California)
T Dan Gay (Baylor)
LB James Holt (Kansas)
NT Rashaad Jackson (Clemson)
WR Charles Martin (West Texas A&M)
C Ryan McDonald (Illinois)
G Ben Muth (Stanford)
CB Wopamo Osaisai (Stanford)
FB William Rentmeester (Wisconsin)
WR Rodgeriqus Smith (Auburn)
TE Kory Sperry (Colorado State)
S C.J. Spillman (Marshall)
TE Jerimiah Wurzbacher (North Dakota State)
San Francisco 49ers
DE Pannel Egboh (Stanford)
RB Kory Sheets (Purdue)
CB Jahi Word-Daniels (Georgia Tech)
T Alex Boone (Ohio State)
CB Carlos Thomas (South Carolina)
CB Terrail Lambert (Notre Dame)
DE Brandon Long (Michigan State)
G Matt Huners (South Florida)
WR Dobson Collins (Gardner-Webb)
Washington Redskins
QB Chase Daniel (Missouri)
T Scott Burley (Maryland)
DE Derek Walker (Illinois)
C Edwin Williams (Maryland)
WR Josh Briscoe (Tennessee) tryout
C Edwin Wiliams (Maryland)
DE Derek Walker (Illinois)
WR Jaison Williams (Oregon)
CB Doug Dutch (Michigan)
TE Robert Agnone (Delaware)
DT Antonio Dixon (Miami)
TE Devin Frischknecht (Washington State)
WR John Halman (Concordia)
DT Brigham Harwell (UCLA)
S Lendy Holmes (Oklahoma)
LB Ronnie Palmer (Arizona)
Minnesota Vikings
S DeVon Hall (Utah State)
LB Robert Francois (Boston College)
G Andy Kemp (Wisconsin)
RB Ian Johnson (Boise State)
WR Vinny Perretta (Boise State)
C Jon Cooper (Oklahoma)
WR Nick Walker (Alabama)
S Colt Anderson (Montana)
RB Kahlil Bell (UCLA)
QB Sean Glennon (Virginia Tech)
DT Antoine Holmes (North Carolina State)
DT Tremaine Johnson (LSU)
T Bobby Lepori (Fresno State)
WR Nick Moore (Toledo)
New York Jets
P T.J. Conley (Idaho)
TE Robert Myers (Utah State)
DE Pannel Egboh (Stanford)
TE Andrew Davie (Arkansas)
DE Jamaal Westerman (Rutgers)
TE J'Nathan Bullock (Cleveland State)
DL Matt Kroul (Iowa)
S Emanuel Cook (South Carolina)
FB Brannan Southerland (Georgia)
QB Chris Pizzoti (Harvard)
T Tavita Thompson (Oregon State)
T Ryan McKee (Southern Mississippi)
DE Zach Potter (Nebraska)
T Kyle Link (McNeese State)
C Michael Parenton (Tulane)
DL Ty Steinkuhler (Nebraska)
Dallas Cowboys
DE Marcus Dixon (Hampton) tryout
WR Kevin Ogletree (Virginia)
WR Julian Hawkins (Boise State)
G Greg Isdaner (West Virginia)
G Mike Turkovich (Notre Dame)
FB Asaph Schwapp (Notre Dame)
TE Jamar Hunt (UTEP)
QB Rudy Carpenter (Arizona State)
G Travis Bright (Brigham Young)
Green Bay Packers
RB Tyrell Sutton (Northwestern)
WR Kole Heckendorf (North Dakota State)
TE Carson Butler (Michigan)
WR Jamarko Simmons (Western Michigan)
WR Andy Brodell (Iowa)
WR Jaron Harris (South Dakota State)
DE Ron Talley (Delaware)
OL Evan Detrick-Smith (Idaho State)
G Dario Nanni (Stillman Valley)
LB Willie Williams (Union College)
P Kurt Achter (UW-Oshkosh)
QB Brian Johnson (Utah) tryout
DE Joe Lardinois (North Dakota State)
WR Patrick Williams (Colorado)
T Andy Hartline (Central Michigan)
QB David Johnson (Tulsa) tryout
Miami Dolphins
G Mark Lewis (Oregon)
DE Ryan Baker (Purdue)
TE Jared Bronson (Central Washington)
LB Orion Martin (Virginia Tech)
WR Chris Williams (New Mexico State)
Baltimore Ravens
QB Drew Willy (Buffalo)
DT William Johnson (Michigan)
OL Greg Ryan (Western Kentucky)
DE Willie VanDeSteeg (Minnesota)
K Graham Gano (Florida State)
WR Eron Riley (Duke)
T Cameron Goldberg (Duke)
LB Dannell Ellerbe (Georgia)
New England Patriots
S Marcus McClinton (Kentucky)
CB Jamar Love (Arkansas)
QB Brian Hoyer (Michigan State)
LB Antonio Appleby (Virginia)
Carolina Panthers
LB Anthony Heygood (Purdue)
T Patrick Brown (UCF) tryout
TE Kevin Brock (Rutgers)
C Keith Gray (Connecticut)
T Gerald Cadogan (Penn State)
LB Brit Miller (Illinois)
OL CJ Davis (Pitt)
WR Jason Cherry (Louisiana-Lafayette)
DT Justin Kershaw (Michigan State) tryout
DT Marlon Favorite (LSU)
QB Hunter Cantwell (Louisville)
DT Lonnie Harvey (Morgan State)
S Anthony Scirrotto (Penn State)
RB Jamall Lee (Bishop's College)
WR/KR Larry Beavers (Wesley College)
Denver Broncos
DL Everette Pedescleaux (Northern Iowa)
WR Lucas Taylor (Tennessee)
FB Marquez Branson (Central Arkansas)
CB Domonique Johnson (Jackson State)
DT Chris Baker (Hampton)
DE Rulon Davis (California)
WR Nate Swift (Nebraska)
WR David Grimes (Notre Dame)
CB Tony Carter (Florida State)
P Britton Colquitt (Tennessee)
LB Lee Robinson (Alcorn State)
WR Travis Shelton (Temple)
Cleveland Browns
WR Jordan Norwood (Penn State)
S Jason Venson (UCF)
G Marlon Davis (Alabama)
DB Corey Boudreaux (SDSU)
QB Graham Harrel (Texas Tech)
WR Brent Casteel (Utah)
P Chris Lynch (Albany)
QB Graham Harrell (Texas Tech)
S Bryan Williams (Akron)
Indianapolis Colts
DT Pat Kuntz (Notre Dame)
T Cornelius Lewis (Tennessee State)
P Tim Masthay (Kentucky)
G Tom Pestock (Northwest Missouri State)
LB Ramon Humbler (NDSU)
TE Colin Cloherty (Brown)
WR John Matthews (San Diego)
CB Brandon Harrison (Michigan)
DT Adrian Grady (Louisville)
LB Tyrell Sales (Penn State)
Cincinnati Bengals
DL Dan Skuta (Grand Valley State)
FB Chris Pressley (Wisconsin)
S Tom Nelson (Illinois)
RB Marlon Lucky (Nebraska)
WR Quan Crosby (Texas)
TE Greg Orton (Purdue)
DT TY Steinkuhler (Nebraska)
C Colin Dow (Montana)
QB Billy Farris (Colorado State)
DB Rico Murray (Kent State)
G Steve Rehring (Ohio State) tryout
QB Nate Longshore (California) tryout
QB Todd Boeckman (Ohio State) tryout
Jacksonville Jaguars
WR Jason English (Tuskegee)
CB Peter Ittersagen (Wheaton)
DE Jeremy Navarre (Maryland)
DE Julius Williams (Connecticut)
QB Michael Desormeaux (Louisiana-Lafayette)
QB Nathan Brown (Central Arkansas)
DT George Hypolite (Colorado)
S Kevin Patterson (Wake Forest)
TE Tyler Lorenzen (Connecticut)
LB Russell Allen (San Diego State)
FB Kyle Bell (Colorado State)
FB Brock Bolen (Louisville)
CB Weldon Brown (Louisiana Tech)
WR Maurice Dupree (Jacksonville State)
RB Mike McClendon (North Alabama)
C Cecil Newton (Tennessee State)
WR Todd Peterson (Nebraska)
LB Johnny Williams (Kentucky)
Atlanta Falcons
LB Brock Christopher (Missouri)
WR Aaron Kelly (Clemson)
OL Ryan Stanchek (West Virginia)
QB John Parker Wilson (Alabama)
WR Darren Mougey (SDSU)
DE Maurice Lucas (Colorado)
LB Derek Nicholson (Florida State)
P Robbie Dehaze (NAU)
Detroit Lions
DT John Gill (Northwestern)
LB Andrew Downey (Maine)
C Dan Gerberry (Ball State)
K Swayze Walters (UAB)
DL DJ Boldin (Wake Forest)
Chicago Bears
WR Eric Peterman (Northwestern)
LB Mike Rivera (Kansas)
S Dahna Deleston (Connecticut)
G Dennis Conley (Hampton)
FB Will Ta’ufo’ou (California)
G Johan Asiata (UNLV)
LB Kevin Malast (Rutgers)
RB Tyrell Fenroy (Louisiana-Lafayette)
DB Woodny Turenne (Louisville)
TE Vernon Sims (Northern Illinois) tryout
QB Chase Patton (Missouri) tryout
S Daniel Charbonnet (Texas Tech) tryout
LB Pat Maynor (Stanford) tryout
DT Steve Ostrowski (UW-Whitewater) tryout
New York Giants
S Sha'reff Rashad (UCF)
DE Maurice Evans (Penn State)
DE Alex Field (Virginia)
S Otis Wiley (Michigan State)
S Kenny Ingram (Florida State)
CB Vince Anderson (Webber)
DE Dwayne Hendricks (Miami)
Kansas City Chiefs
DE Pierre Walters (Eastern Illinois)
WR Taurus Johnson (South Florida)
CB Londen Fryar (Western Michigan)
LB Bobby Abare (Yale)
LB Jovan Belcher (Maine)
DT Dion Gales (Troy)
DE Bobby Greenwood (Alabama)
Oakland Raiders
LB Frantz Joseph (Florida Atlantic)
DT Desmond Bryant (Harvard)
WR Shawn Bayes (Kent State)
LB David Nixon (Brigham Young)
Houston Texans
T Jason Watkins (Florida)
DE Tim Jamison (Michigan)
RB Arian Foster (Tennessee)
RB Jeremiah Johnson (Oregon)
LB Toddrick Verdell (Florida State)
DT Josh Leonard (Hawaii)
C Brett Helms (LSU)
Tennessee Titans
DE Mitch King (Iowa)
WR Dudley Guice (Northwestern State)
G Ryan Scmidt (South Florida)
QB Alex Mortensen (Samford)
RB Rodney Ferguson (New Mexico)
WR Phillip Morris (South Carolina State)
CB Jeremy Haynes (McNeese State)
P A.J. Trapasso (Ohio State)
New Orleans Saints
CB Danny Gorrer (Texas A&M)
G Cedric Dockery (Texas)
WR Chris Vaughn (Louisville)
LB Jonathan Casillas (Wisconsin)
T Augustus Parrish (Kent State)
C Alex Fletcher (Stanford)
QB Patrick Cowan (UCLA)
WR Kenneth Harris (Georgia)
RB Herb Donaldson (Western Illinois)
Philadelphia Eagles
RB Marcus Thigpen (Indiana)
S Reshard Langford (Vanderbilt)
DE Josh Gaines (Penn State)
WR Brandon Robinson (Boston College)
G Dallas Reynolds (BYU)
RB Walter Mendenhall (Illinois State)
K Sam Swank (Wake Forest)
FB Marcus Mailei (Weber State)
CB Courtney Robinson (Massachusetts)
Seattle Seahawks
DE Michael Bennett (Texas A&M)
LB Tony Fein (Mississippi)
RB Devin Moore (Wyoming)
LB Dave Philistin (Maryland)
T Andre Ramsey (Ball State)
RB Tyler Roehl (North Dakota State)
LS Sean Griffin (Michigan)
Arizona Cardinals
WR Justin Brown (Hampton)
DB Michael Ray Garvin (Florida State)
WR Shane Morales (Oregon State)
LB Chase Bullock (Maryland)
CB Jameel Dowling (Hawaii)
Buffalo Bills
T Joel Bell (Furman)
DL David Lindquist (Illinois)
TE Travis McCall (Alabama)
K Danny Urrego (Portland State)
DE Gerald Washington (USC)
St. Louis Rams
C Daniel Sanders (Colorado)
DE Ian Campbell (Kansas State)
WR Jarrett Byers (Northeastern State)
WR Quentin Chaney (Oklahoma)
G Roger Allen III (Missouri Western)
LB Ekenemchukwu Asiodu (Central Oklahoma State)
LB Dominic Douglas (Mississippi State)
G Ray Feinga (Brigham Young)
T David Oswald (Brigham Young)
FB Jerome Johnson (Nevada-Reno)
DL Mike Newkirk (Wisconsin)
CB Cordelius Parks (Northeastern)
DL Kirston Pittman (LSU)
S Mark Rubin (Penn State)
T Phil Trautwein (Florida) tryout
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
G Maurice Miller (Mississippi)
OL Rob Bruggeman (Iowa)
QB Joe Ganz (Nebraska)
DB DeAngelo Willingham (Tennessee)
S Marshall McDuffie (FIU)
S Terrence Moore (Troy)
DE Neefy Moffett (Florida State)
RB Josh Vaughan (Richmond)
DL Rashaad Duncan (Pittsburgh)
TE Cedric Hill (USF) tryout
DE Jarriett Buie (USF) tryout
LB Maurice Crum (Notre Dame) tryout
The Steelers drafted tight end David Johnson, from Arkansas State with their second of two 7th round picks of the 2009 NFL draft. The pick was the 241st overall and the 32nd pick of the seventh round.
Johnson is a 6'2", 260 lb tight end.
Combine Results:
40 Yard Dash : 4.73 seconds
Bench Press : 21.0 reps
Vertical Jump : 32.5 inches
Broad Jump : 113.0 inches
3 Cone Drill : 7.28 seconds
20 Yard Shuttle : 4.43 seconds
Johnson is a long armed H-back type tight end. Has adequate hands and is an above average blocker. Will be competing to earn a roster spot as a special team contributor and a backup h-back. Does have some speed to get down field.
The Steelers drafted center A.Q. Shipley, from Penn State with their 7th round pick of the 2009 NFL draft. The pick was the 226th overall and the 17th pick of the seventh round.
Shipley is a 6'1", 304lb center.
Combine Results:
40 Yard Dash : 5.26 seconds
Bench Press : 33.0 reps
Vertical Jump : 31.0 inches
Broad Jump : 100.0 inches
3 Cone Drill : 7.46 seconds
20 Yard Shuttle : 4.4 seconds
Shipley is an undersized zone center with short arms who understands technique and leverage. Local Penn State product who slowly slid all the way down the draft board after getting hyped early. Does not hold blocks well, but is an intense gritty player. Will have to work very hard and improve fast to earn a roster spot.
Video
The Steelers drafted defensive tackle Ra'Shon Harris, from Oregon with their 6th round pick of the 2009 NFL draft. The pick was the 205th overall and the 32nd pick of the sixth round.
Harris is a 6'4", 298lb defensive tackle.
Combine Results:
40 Yard Dash : 5.05 seconds
Bench Press : 28.0 reps
Vertical Jump : 25.5 inches
Broad Jump : 106.0 inches
3 Cone Drill : 8.18 seconds
20 Yard Shuttle : 4.87 seconds
Harris is a raw project at nose tackle who needs to improve as a pass rusher. Will need to learn the 2 gap if he is to play in the Steelers 3-4. Will be tried over the nose, but will need tons of coaching and a great camp to make the team.
Combine Video
Here is the media interview of Steelers fifth round draft pick Joe Burnett after being selected 168th overall in the 2009 NFL draft.
http://io2.steelers.com/MediaContent/2009/04/26/12/090426_001_105076.mp3
Joe Burnett:
Do you see yourself coming here to return punts and kicks or to play cornerback?
I see myself coming in to play a little bit of nickel, return punts and kicks and kickoff as well. Whatever it takes, I’m going to do it.
[The Steelers] already drafted a cornerback in the third round. Does that hurt your chances?
I don’t think it hurts my chances at all because now that the draft is over, from the first slots to the seventh round, every guy has to come in and compete and work for a position. I feel like it is a draft, but now we are at the moment where we have to go in and work for a job. It doesn’t end right here. That’s how I feel about it. I went in the fifth round [at] such-and-such pick, but I feel like I’m in the same boat as the third-round pick at cornerback. Me and him are competing now for the job. And I want the job.
How do you think your style fits in with the way that the Steelers want their corners to play?
I think I fit in real well with it. Me and the coach [Ray Horton] talked about a lot of stuff and he told me he wanted me to come in and contribute at nickel and at special teams during my visit. And I think I fit in real well with playing in the quarters. I played quarters actually and playing a press guy over all positions. I think I fit in real well with the Pittsburgh Steelers. It’s actually where I wanted to be.
Here is the media interview of Steelers fifth round draft pick Frank Summers after being selected 169th overall in the 2009 NFL draft.
http://io2.steelers.com/MediaContent/2009/04/26/12/Summers_105074.WMA
The Steelers drafted fullback Frank Summers, from UNLV with their second of two 5th round picks of the 2009 NFL draft. The pick was the 169th overall and the 33rd pick of the fifth round.
Summers is a 5'10", 230lb fullback.
Pro Day Results:
40 Yard Dash : 4.63 seconds
Bench Press : 30.0 reps
Vertical Jump : 34.5 inches
Broad Jump : 112.0 inches
3 Cone Drill : 7.23 seconds
20 Yard Shuttle : 4.35 seconds
Summers is a bowling bowl with legs that can run in between the tackles. The Steelers worked out Summers extensively at the UNLV Pro Day. Short yardage specialist that can move quick for a big guy. Nicknamed Frank the Tank! Should be able to make the 53 man roster with a good camp.
Video
Highlight Video
The Steelers drafted cornerback Joe Burnett, from Central Florida with their first of two 5th round picks of the 2009 NFL draft. The pick was the 168th overall and the 32nd pick of the fifth round.
Burnett is a 5'9", 192lb cornerback.
Combine Results:
40 Yard Dash : 4.57 seconds
Bench Press : 22.0 reps
Vertical Jump : 35.5 inches
Broad Jump : 118.0 inches
3 Cone Drill : 6.68 seconds
20 Yard Shuttle : 4.26 seconds
60 Yard Shuttle : 11.27 seconds
Burnett is a zone type, Tampa cover 2 type cornerback. Has returned kicks at Central Florida. Has good vision of the entire field and great hands. Four year starter with good upper body strenghth. Strong character guy and perfect fit for the Steeler defensive scheme. Could surprise in camp and grab a roster spot.
Combine Video
Highlight Video
Here is the media interview of Steelers third round draft pick Kraig Urbik after being selected 79th overall in the 2009 NFL draft.
http://static.steelers.com/MediaContent/2009/04/26/08/Kraig_104894.WMA
Kraig Urbik:
What are your thoughts on getting picked by the Steelers?
I am really thrilled to be coming to a great team and a great franchise with a great history. I am looking forward to playing guard; I am looking forward to coming in to play in their system.
Can you play both guard and tackle in the NFL?
I primarily played guard in college but I have shown that I can play tackle in a pinch if needed. I would think primarily that I would be a guard.
Do you prefer the right or left side?
I have only played the right side but I can easily play left guard. Hopefully they can put me wherever.
Have you always played guard?
In high school I was always a left tackle. At Wisconsin, I was going against the best defensive linemen.
How much interest did the Steelers show in you in the days leading up to the draft?
None at all, actually. I didn’t interview with them at the Combine. I talked with them in the bullpen at the Combine but didn’t talk to them too much.
What do you know about the Steelers?
They have a rich history. It is blue-collar team and a blue-collar city. They have tough teams that have been very good the past couple of years. I am really looking forward to the opportunity.
