I know it’s tough sometimes not to be a homer and fall in love with our players. I see post after post defending Shack because we have players on our roster that are late round pick. For those who just can’t see past the Jaguars roster and see that what our GM does is below average, I posted the Steelers roster that we played on Sunday below.

They started 13 players that were 4^th round picks and later including 6 players that weren’t even drafted! I counted Nate Washington in this because he played a lot last night and scored. 13 players!!

All I am trying to say here, is we have to stop defending Shack for his “late round gems.” EVERY team has these players!! If you look at the Steelers roster, their late round gems dwarf ours. They beat us with a bunch of undrafted players and 4^th round picks.

The second argument is our first round selections. We have to stop defending Shack with “oh, they are coming around.” They were first round picks!! They shouldn’t have to come around! Look at the Steelers 1^st round picks below.

My conclusion is, the Steelers like so many other teams and GMs stike gold with their first round picks and then fill the holes with late round selections. People argue, “well shack drafted Bobby McCray.” Who cares?! Look around!! Every team has these players! Most of them actually have more late round gems than us. For some reason Shack Harris still has a job even though he has failed to strike gold even once in the first round and fills the holes with subpar talent.

DE Aaron Smith – 4^th round
DT Chris Hoke – Undrafted

DE Brett Keisel – 7^th round

LB Larry Foote – 4^th round
LB James Harrison – Undrafted
LB LaMarr Woodley – 2^nd round
LB James Farrior – Free agent pickup

CB Deshea Townsend – 4^th round
FS Ryan Clark – Undrafted
CB Ike Taylor – 4^th round

RT Willie Colon – 4^th round
RG Darnell Stapleton – Undrafted
C Justin Hartwig – Free agent pickup
LG Chris Kemoeatu – 6^th round
LT Marvel Smith – 2^nd round

FB Carry Davis – Undrafted

WR Nate Washington – Undrafted
WR Hines Ward – 3^rd round

1^st Round Picks

QB Ben Roethlisberger
SS Troy Polamalu
WR Santonio Holmes
DT Casey Hampton
TE Heath Miller

Since 2003 Jacksonville has had 16 first round pro bowlers drafted after their pick.

There were 74 total first round picks available after Jacksonville picked.

I'll play along.

Using only the first round picks that everyone is always quick to throw the bust tag on.

Let's assume that the draft philophosy was need based and not BAP.
Starting with 2003:

2003 QB's available after Leftwich pick:
1. Kyle Boller
2. Rex Grossman

2004 After Reggie Williams WR
1. Lee Evans

2. Michael Clayton

3. Michael Jenkins

4. Rashaun Woods

2005 After Matt Jones WR
1. Mark Clayton

2. Roddy White

2006 Marcedes Lewis TE
No TE's after pick, TE's before pick:
1. Vernon Davis

2007 Reggie Nelson Safety

No Safety taken after pick. Safety's before pick:
1. LaRon Landry

So, if we were needs based drafting, which everyone accuses the FO of doing, which of these picks would you change? Maybe Lee Evans?

Are the picks really that bad?