Gerry: Could Steelers take another OL No. 1?

Friday, 22 February 2013 09:08

Written by Gerry Dulac

            Another offensive lineman on the first round for the Steelers. The third in four years?

            It can happen.

            Who says so?

            Kevin Colbert, that’s who.

“Certainly can,” Colbert said at the NFL combine. “At No. 17, we’re going to have a lot of options available to us and we won’t close the door on any position in any round because that would be short-sighted.”

Colbert conceded that the draft is thin in numbers in three areas, one of which is interior offensive linemen (centers and guards). And the Steelers don’t really need an offensive tackle after drafting three in the past two years – Marcus Gilbert, Mike Adams and Kelvin Beachum, all of whom could be starters this season in Beachum gets tried at guard.

Last year, guard David DeCastro slipped to No. 20 and the Steelers didn’t waste a minute grabbing him. The other offensive lineman picked on the first round is center Maurkice Pouncey.

Could it happen again?

“If it’s an offensive lineman, they have to have position flexibility because they may have to move and play another position,” Colbert said. “But if we think they are a significant-enough players, and we want him at No. 17, we’ll take him.”