Top Local Players That Could get Drafted

Before we get started, the Pittsburgh Steelers now have 11 choices in this April's draft with the trade of Santonio Holmes to the Jets for a 5th rounder. Some may say only a 5th rounder but this draft is loaded with players. The Steelers have 4 5th round selections this year. If available, I would like to envision the Steelers selecting DE/OLB Arthur Moats from James Madison with one of the 5th round choices. Moats has numerous similarities to James Harrison and I know they like Moats. But he may not be available in the 5th round. A 5th round choice this year would be similar to a late 3rd-early 4th rounder in past years.

By the way, if I leave someone out of the following list, please advise me and I will take a look at the omission. Onward for the guys with Local ties to this years draft.

TE Rob Gronkowski Arizona Woodland Hills HS(from Buffalo, played at Woodland Hills only for his Senior season)could go in the late First or Early Second Round, out as a Junior but possible injury issue. Soft sure hands, has speed, blocks, and big.

LB Sean Lee Penn State Upper St. Clair HS shame he suffered knee injury in Spring 2009 but this instinctive athletic Will linebacker can play. Quote Tom Bradley"he is the smartest player I ever coached." Has 1st round written all over him but in a strong draft probable 2nd or 3rd round.

HB/TE Dorin Dickerson Pitt West Allegheny HS super athletic powerful pass catcher who has nice hands, runs good routes, and is willing to block. Might be a tad short for a TE but put him in motion, get him in space, and get him the football. Dorin had phenominal measureables at the combine, 4.41/40, 43.5" vertical, on and on. Could go fairly high in draft. Tough to gauge right now but someone might take him in 2nd round, maybe the 3rd, probably the 4th depending on teams needs and how much they like Dorin. It is hard not to like him.

SS Barry Church Toledo Penn Hills HS had an excellent career at Toledo. Nice sized safety that plays the run like a linebacker. Has quicks to the ball and shows real good instincts. Ran 40 at pro day better than Combine. He has real good game speed. Later middle rounds but could be a steal in the draft because of his abilities.

TE Nate Byham Pitt Franklin Area included because the WPIAL has expanded into Northwest PA. Excellent in-line blocking TE, big strong guy is like an extra Tackle. Even though some think he is strictly a blocker, Nate can really catch the ball. He could go in the Later Middle Rounds and even higher because of his blocking abilities and great attitude.

CB Terrence Johnson California U. PA Woodland Hills another Woodland Hills guy, why is he at Cal. U, well he was 5'9"/156 out of high school. At 5'10"/191 even Mel Kiper is talking about him as a shut down aggressive corner. Cal. U has not had a player drafted since the 1950's(Mr.Elmo Natalie). The NFL covets shut down corners that can run and defend.

DT Mick Williams Pitt Monessen a quick twitched guy who is just a tad undersized but can really be a disriptive 1 gap player in a 4-3 defense. Can he make the switch to a DE in a 4-3, possibly because he is quick and has explosion. Late round guy who could be a steal.

QB Bill Stull Pitt Seton LaSalle displayed his talents with an outstanding Senior campaign in 2009. Has good ball placement, can throw deep and across the middle with a very nice release and spin on the ball. With only 12 QB's drafted in 2009, 13 drafted in 2008, and 10 drafted in 2007, QB seems not to be a high draft priority for the NFL. More corners were drafted in the 2009 draft (38 total)than quarterbakcs were taken in the past 3 drafts(35 total). Stull has a shot of going late in the draft because of his skill level.

LB Adam Gunn Pitt Kiski Area got 6th year in 2009, a very productive linebacker that plays smart and has a shot of getting drafted late.

TE Wes Lyons West Virginia Woodland Hills, Woody High pumps them out, great sized guy with tremendous upside 6'8"/245, played wide out, blocks well and could get drafted as TE.

SS Brad Phillips Northwestern Franklin Regional HS, had great career at NU, solid secondary prospect who plays like an extra linebacker. Could go in late rounds.

OG John Malecki Pitt Franklin Regional HS, moved from D-Line to OG, maybe a tad undersized for OG but an excellent blocker with balance. I like as OC. Late round possible.

OG Matt McCracken Richmond Mt. Lebanon HS, had stellar career for the Spiders, solid interior lineman with good body control and surge. Possible later pick.

OLB Brandon McLaughlin Maine Schenley HS when to Maine as a safety and developed into a solid OLB, a sure tackler off the edge and can defend the pass. Looked by NFL late rounds.

SS Ashton Cobb Kentucky Center HS has really good career for the Wildcats in the secondary, forte is defending the pass and supporting the run, looked as a possible late rounder.

FS Ross Ventrone Villanova Chartiers Valley, similarities to Cleve.Browns brother Raymond Ventrone. Tough aggressive speedy style can take him a long way. Possible late rounder.

RB Dan Brown Youngstown State Clairton Iowa transfer to YSU, has nice senior campaign as a solid gutty interior runner and shows he has the speed to turn corner. Late round possible.

Remember Sports Fans, these are players with local ties. If I left someone out, it was not on purpose, please just let me know.