Steelers Draft Grade: A

I know that you cannot truly grade a draft until after three years, but just going off of potential, I give this year's Steelers' draft an A-. So from here, let's look at each player that the Pittsburgh Steelers took in the 2012 NFL Draft.

Needs: Offensive Guard, Inside Linebacker, Offensive Tackle, Nose Tackle, Cornerback

First Round, 24th Overall: David DeCastro, OG/Stanford - I still cannot believe that the best guard prospect since Steve Hutchinson in 2001 fell all the way down to us. He was the one player that I felt would have been worth trading up to select in the first round if he fell, but the Steelers didn't have to. Now he helps solidify the offensive line, putting an All-Pro caliber guard next to our All-Pro center.

Second Round, 56th Overall: Mike Adams, OT/Ohio State - When the Steelers made this selection on Friday, it became obvious that the team's goal in this draft was to build a legitimate offensive line to protect franchise quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. While the Steelers normally don't take players with character concerns, Adams requested that the Steelers bring him in for a pre-draft visit and he explained himself and told them that he wanted to be a Steeler and would do anything to make things right. He did everything they asked him to do, before the draft, including counseling. So they put him back on their board with a first round grade and got him at their pick in the second round. Best chance scenario is that he becomes the franchise left tackle, and I truly feel that at worst he will be an excellent bookend right tackle with our 2011 second round pick Marcus Gilbert at left tackle.

Third Round, 86th Overall: Sean Spence, LB/Miami - It's been said that he will be playing inside linebacker for the Steelers in their 3-4 defense. I think he fits great in the Steelers defense because the job of the defensive line is to tie up blockers allowing the linebackers to fly around and make the plays. Spence is a very athletic linebacker who can deliver the blow to the running back and has fluid hips to be out in pass coverage. He may have to sit a large part if not the entire season and learn the defense, but he should be a future starting linebacker for the Steelers. He reminds me a lot of Lawrence Timmons, the guy who will be lining up next to him when Spence finally gets on the field.

Fourth Round, 109th Overall: Alameda Ta'amu, DT/Washington - At 6'3" and 348 lbs., the Steelers found the man who will be the linchpin of the team's 3-4 defense for the next decade or so. The nose tackle spot on the defensive line is so important, and the Steelers got a steal in the fourth round when they were able to trade up and take the mammoth Washington defensive tackle. He may even see playing time this season. Casey Hampton tore his ACL in the playoff loss to Denver and probably won't be ready for training camp and could miss the start of the season. Ta'amu might be able win the starting job of Hampton cannot start the season, which could relegate Hampton to a backup role in what is likely his final season.

Round Five, 159th Overall: Chris Rainey, RB/Florida - One thing the Steelers really didn't have was a speedy change-of-pace back. The pick of Florida's Rainey changed that. He cannot block a linebacker and he goes down on contact running between the tackles, but in open space he's dangerous and his track star speed translates to the football field. He can also work the slot, and he has good hands for a running back so I can see him being used a bit like Percy Harvin has been used by the Minensota Vikings. There is a chance that he could also be moved to receiver later in his career, in my honest opinion. Also, he can return kicks and punts, saving the mileage that would be put on wide receiver Antonio Brown in that role.

Round Seven, 231st Overall: Toney Clemons, WR/Colorado - The Steelers have recently had some luck drafting wide receiver later in the draft (Mike Wallace - Third Round, Emmanuel Sanders - Third Round, Antonio Brown - Sixth Round) so I like the chances of this pick working out to be at least a solid fourth receiver in a season or two. He's a bigger target who can go over the middle, strong enough to break arm tackles, and has deceptive deep speed. However, he has had a problem with drops and struggles to catch the ball with his hands and bring it into his body. He is a physical blocker, but can sometimes be too aggressive. He's going to have to make the team as a special teams player, otherwise he is likely going to end up on the practice squad.

Round Seven, 240th Overall: David Paulson, TE/Oregon - An underrated pass catcher, he is going to struggle to get open in the NFL. He's a decent blocker also. He's nothing more than a backup player for his NFL career and could possibly be cut in training camp with all of the depth ahead of him. Probably destined for the practice squad.

Round Seven, 246th Overall: Terrance Frederick, CB/Texas A&M - Frederick is an undersized corner who isn't a man-to-man cornerback, but is a good zone corner. So he fits the Steelers' scheme that likes to play zone. He also likes to throw his body around, which isn't something you often see from smaller corners. He will have to show that he can contribute on special teams to make the squad out of training camp because the Steelers are already pretty deep at the position.

Round Seven, 248th Overall: Kelvin Beachum, OT/SMU - Beachum is undersized for the position in the NFL but has good athletic ability, body control, and footwork. He's going to have to show a lot in training camp to make the final roster, but has a shot as a developmental player if he doesn't get eaten up be defensive lineman and linebackers in one-on-one drills. Is likely never going to win a starting job in the NFL, but could be a good depth player. Could be a practice squad candidate.

So out of this draft the Steelers have likely four future starters in David DeCastro (Guard), Mike Adams (Tackle), Sean Spence (Linebacker), and Alameda Ta'amu (Defensive Tackle). That's an extremely good draft, with possibly three of those players starting at some point this season. After those first four picks (the likely future starters) it was all about depth, which is how the draft normally works.

I am ecstatic about the results of this draft and cannot wait for the season to start. It's going to be interesting to see which guard position DeCastro plays, if Mike Adams can win a starting tackle job and if he will be on the left or right side, how quickly Spence can take in what his responsibilities of his position on this defense and take away the starting job (if at all this season), and if Ta'amu can become the starter in training camp if Hampton cannot start this season.