The Steelers looked for help in their offensive line, wanting to further protect their franchise quarterback and keep their renowned running game at full tilt.

Yet, with a late pick in the first round, it's rarely easy finding the ideal offensive lineman. Back in 1998, they not only found him, they drafted one of their best offensive linemen in history when they took Alan Faneca, a junior guard from LSU, with the 26th pick of the draft.

The franchise quarterback, Kordell Stewart, has long since departed but Faneca went on to play in seven Pro Bowls and was voted the only guard on their 75th Anniversary team.

The Steelers draft 23rd this year and would love to find Faneca's replacement in the April 26-27 draft. Yesterday, another junior guard with Faneca-like credentials paid them a visit, but they must have even better luck than they did 10 years ago to land such a lineman in the draft.

Virginia's Branden Albert has everything anyone is looking for in a guard: A former basketball player, he's extremely athletic and quick, and at 6-5 1/2, 309, he's a monster who will get only larger. He also has the ability to play left tackle.

Albert was among four college prospects to visit the Steelers yesterday as they continue to do their draft homework.

Once upon a time, say a few months earlier, it looked as if the Steelers might have a shot at Albert at No. 23. But the mock drafts that fill the landscape almost all have him chosen before the Steelers' turn. He's now considered a possible top 15 choice.

He's the best guard in the draft and on the rise with a bullet.

It appears the only way the Steelers can draft him now would be to move up in the first round -- the way they did to get safety Troy Polamalu in the 2003 draft, when they traded their third-round draft choice to move from 27th to 16th in the first round.

The Steelers, though, are less likely to trade away such high draft picks this year; they only have six and they need help in many areas. Nevertheless, stranger things have happened in the draft, like the time in 1987 when Rod Woodson slipped all the way to them at No. 10.

Also, each team is permitted to invite 10 college prospects to its campus for further poking, prodding and interviewing, so it's worth another look.

Among the other three players they spent time with yesterday were two intriguing wide receivers, Malcolm Kelly of Oklahoma and James Hardy of Indiana. There's a chance no receiver will be chosen in the first round this year, but there are plenty available and these are two of the best -- and tallest.

Either would fill quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's stated wish to have a tall wide receiver in his stable. Kelly is 6-3 1/2 and Hardy 6-5 1/2.

The fourth player on campus was Charles Godfrey of Iowa, considered a mid-grade cornerback.