NFL draftnik Don Banks of Sports Illustrated weighed in on Monday with a one minute video draft preview for the Pittsburgh Steelers and he has them going defense in the first round.
Banks thinks that either Oklahoma State cornerback Justin Gilbert or Ohio State cornerback Bradley Roby will be the Steelers first round pick and he goes on to say that he thinks the wide receiver position will then be addressed at some point after that because of the depth this draft class has.
The only thing that Banks said that I really take issue with his comments on the age of the Steelers defense.
“In Pittsburgh, the Steelers defense is getting older by the minute,” said Banks. “Last year it showed real signs of wear and tear, and I think the first round has to be a defensive round for Pittsburgh this season.”
Banks must have missed the Steelers releasing linebackers LaMarr Woodley and Larry Foote this offseason. In addition, replacing safety Ryan Clark with Mike Mitchell was another youth movement that was made as was the signing of defensive lineman Cam Thomas.
This notion that the Steelers defense is still old has to stop. Yes, Ike Taylor and Troy Polamalu are both still on the team, but they’re the only two starters on defense right now over the age of 30.
