A look at the Steelers draft picks

1. (15) Ryan Shazier, ILB, Ohio State. I had Shazier on my radar going into the draft. He's like a heat-seeking missile. But I, like everyone else, fell into the trap of thinking the Steelers HAD to take a wide receiver or cornerback, overlooking the need at inside linebacker. I didn't think the Steelers would take the second coming of Lawrence Timmons because, you know, they already had Timmons. But is there something wrong with having two of those guys? Should start right away. Passed on: Darqueze Dennard (CB)

2. (46) Stephon Tuitt, DE, Notre Dame. Almost a no-brainer when he fell into their lap in the second round. Had Tuitt not been injured in his final season and then showed up at the combine with a stress fracture in his foot, he would have been a first round pick and possible consideration for the Steelers in the first round. A solid pass rusher from the end position who can also stop the run in the same vein as Cam Heyward. There's a very good chance he'll start right away as well. Passed on: Davante Adams (WR), Stanley Jean-Baptiste (CB)

3. (97) Dri Archer, RB/WR/KR, Kent State. This seems to be the pick most are settling on when they question the Steelers' draft. If Donte Moncrief had still been on the board, he would have been the pick. But while the "official" time at the combine on Archer was 4.26, the Steelers and many other teams had him at sub 4.2. He's also a killer in the open field with his great vision. Yes, he's only 173 pounds. But he fills an immediate need as a kick returner - all of their 2013 kick returners are gone - and he'll we worked in as a slot receiver and change-of-pace runner. This kid is not, I repeat, not Chris Rainey, who was just a quick, little running back. Archer will score at least five TDs this season. Passed on: Martavis Bryant (WR) , Keith McGill (CB)

4. (118) Martavis Bryant, WR, Clemson. After passing on Bryant to take Archer, the Steelers wind up with both. How close were they to taking Bryant in the third? The team put out a bio sheet with Bryant as their third-round selection, then had to put out another showing him as the 118th pick instead. Bryant has good size (6-4, 211) and speed (4.42). And he's a deep threat, as his average of 20-plus yards per catch in college would suggest. But he's raw as a route runner. A boom or bust pick. Passed on: Pierre Desir (CB)

5. (157) Shaquille Richardson, CB, Arizona. After passing on corners all the way through, the Steelers got a guy they really like. Carnell Lake discovered Richardson on film while at UCLA and invited him to a camp. The Bruins' staff liked him so well that after the camp, they offered a scholarship. But Lake was hired by the Steelers soon after that and Richardson and two others were accused of stealing a purse. The charges were dropped, but Richardson ended up at Arizona. He's got good size and speed and is a potential starter down the road. Passed on: Ryan Carrethers, NT.

5. (173) Wesley Johnson, G-C, Vanderbilt. As I've already stated on this board, this was one pick I questioned. If the Steelers had taken a tackle prospect, I would have understood the pick. But Johnson, primarily a left tackle in school who played some guard and center, is projected as an interior swing guy. Then again, the Steelers had the same projection for Kelvin Beachum and he's now their starting LT. Passed on: Jeoffrey Pagan, NT

6. (192) Jordan Zumwalt, ILB, UCLA. After taking Shazier in the first round, it was somewhat surprising the Steelers doubled down at inside linebacker. But their depth at the position was terrible in 2013. He'll compete immediately with Vince Williams, Kion Wilson and others for a backup spot, with the winner being decided by who plays the best special teams. Zumwalt should be very good on teams, so the others might have their work cut out for them. Passed on: Jamea Thomas, CB, Georgia Tech

6. (215) Daniel McCullers, NT, Tennessee. At 6-7, 352 pounds, he's massive. A project who is going to have to keep his weight down - he said he got as high as 420 in high school - McCullers will be John Mitchell's latest project. Actually, Mitch has a few to work on, counting Tuitt and last year's seventh-round pick, Nick Williams. Tuitt is a more finished product, though, and if Mitch can turn Williams and/or McCullers into contributors, he'll have helped the Steelers turn the corner. Passed on: Beau Allen, NT

7. (230) Rob Blanchflower, TW, UMass. I loved this pick, and not just because it won me a dinner from co-host David Todd on the ESPN 970 draft show - I called not only the position but the player. Blanchflower is a good all-around tight end who can both block and get down the field to challenge defenses. He's not a burner (4.82) but he's solid in every facet of the game, which is what the Steelers look for. He had some injury issues in college, but will push for a spot on the roster as the No. 3 tight end. Passed on: Seantrel Henderson, OT