The following is the fourth of seven position-by-position 2012 Pittsburgh Steelers NFL draft analyses:
WIDE RECEIVERS
Current makeup: Mike Wallace, Antonio Brown, Emmanuel Sanders, Jerricho Cotchery, Derrick Williams, Jimmy Young, Tyler Beiler, David Gilreath, Juamorris Stewart
Last five drafts: The Steelers hit the jackpot with Wallace (third round, 2009), Brown (sixth round, 2010) and Sanders (third round, 2010), but they struck out with Limas Sweed (second round, 2008) and to a much lesser extent, Dallas Baker (seventh round, 2007).
Top wide receivers available: Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State; Michael Floyd, Notre Dame; Stephen Hill, Georgia Tech; Kendall Wright, Baylor; Rueben Randle, LSU; Alshon Jeffery, South Carolina
The Steelers might take: Tommy Streeter, Miami; Brian Quick, Appalachian State; Dwight Jones, North Carolina; Jeff Fuller, Texas A&M; Gerell Robinson, Arizona State; Dale Moss, South Dakota State; Greg Childs, Arkansas
Analysis: The Steelers need to improve in the red zone, and new offensive coordinator Todd Haley would probably like to have a big receiver. As of now, Cotchery, at 6-foot-1, is the tallest receiver of the top four on the team. With Wallace back in the fold, the Steelers won't go after one of the top wideouts in the draft. They could wait until the third day and grab a bigger, physical receiver, such as 6-3 Jones or 6-3 Fuller. If the selection turns out to be a gem, Steelers fans might end up not noticing the absence of No. 86.
TIGHT ENDS
Current makeup: Heath Miller, Leonard Pope, David Johnson, Weslye Saunders (suspension), Jamie McCoy, Wes Lyons
Last five drafts: Matt Spaeth (third round, 2007) was a disappointment, but Johnson (seventh round, 2009) found his niche in Bruce Arians' offense.
Top tight ends available: Coby Fleener, Stanford; Dwayne Allen, Clemson; Michael Egnew, Missouri; Orson Charles, Georgia; LaDarius Green, Louisiana-Lafayette
The Steelers might take: Kevin Koger, Michigan; Rhett Ellison, Southern Cal; David Paulson, Oregon; Anthony Miller, California
Analysis: The free-agent signing of Pope gives Heath Miller a veteran backup and eliminates the need to select a tight end in the first few rounds. Questions of how Johnson will fit in Haley's scheme and how Saunders will bounce back from his four-game suspension will have the Steelers at least looking at tight ends in the later rounds - the Steelers have four seventh-round picks. H-back, versatile types, such as Koger, Ellison and Paulson, might be the best options.
Coming Monday: Defensive backs
