Skip to the content

AFC North: Revisiting the Steelers' 2006 draft

July 16, 2008 2:00 PM

Posted by ESPN.com's James Walker

This is the second of a three-day series examining drafts for each AFC North team over the past three years. Grades are based on performance, where players were picked (too high, too low) and whether they remain with their original team.

Here is a look at the Steelers' 2006 draft:

Pittsburgh Steelers: 2006 Draft
Rd.PickPlayerPos.School
1.25Santonio HolmesWROhio State
3.83Anthony Smith DB Syracuse
3.95Willie Reid WR Florida State
4.131Willie Colon T Hofstra
4.133Orien Harris DT Miami (Fla.)
5.164Omar JacobsQBBowling Green
5.167Charles DavisTE Purdue
6.201Marvin PhilipCCalifornia
7.240Cedric HumesRBVirginia Tech

Analysis: Coming off a Super Bowl, the Steelers weren't shy about upgrading their offense when they traded up to get Santonio Holmes in the first round. Last year, Holmes led the team in both receiving yards and touchdowns. Safety Anthony Smith and offensive tackle Willie Colon were both good value picks in the third and fourth rounds, respectively. Smith has four interceptions and 94 tackles in two years. Colon took over as a starting tackle last season and is battling with Max Starks for the starting role in 2008. No other player in this class has made an impact, but Pittsburgh did a decent job of finding contributors despite a lot of low-round picks.

Grade: B-

NFL draft, Pittsburgh Steelers, Santonio Holmes, Anthony Smith, Willie Colon, Max Starks

Sort comments by: Most Recent | First Posted