ROUND 1, 23rd pick overall, RB RASHARD MENDENHALL, 5-10, 225, Illinois -- First running back drafted by the team on the first or second round since 1989 (Tim Worley) ... He's a power back who should complement Willie Parker perfectly, and has speed to boot. . Runs a 4.41 in the 40 ... Averaged 6.4 yards a carry last season when he had 1,681 yards rushing ... Ran for 155 yards on just 17 carries against Southern Cal in the Rose Bowl ... A good receiver as well with 34 receptions for 318 yards last season ... Played for former Steelers special teams coach Ron Zook, head coach at Illinois ... Has low center of gravity, the way Barry Foster, who holds team's single-season rushing record, ran, which is conducive to getting the tough yards.

ROUND 2, 53rd overall, WR LIMAS SWEED, 6-4, 215, Texas -- A left wrist injury that prompted surgery October 16 scared some teams away, but the Steelers rated him among their best 25 players and top 3 receivers ... Runs a 4.5 ... As a junior, he caught 46 passes for 801 yards, a 17.4-yard average, and scored 12 TDs. Wrist limited him to 19 catches last season ... Has long arms to go with his height ... Has tremendous work ethic and the ability to be a team's No. 1 receiver ... Could jump ahead of Nate Washington as the No. 3 receiver as a rookie.

ROUND 3, 88th overall, OLB BRUCE DAVIS, 6-2 1/2, 252, UCLA Played right defensive end in the Bruins' 4-3 defense but projects to linebacker in the Steelers' 3-4 . . . Father Bruce played offensive tackle for the Raiders in the late 1970s and Oilers in the 1980s . . . Steelers hope to groom him the way they did other converted DEs, but also plan to use him to spot starters LaMarr Woodley and James Harrison this year . . . Had 24 1/2 sacks the past two seasons at UCLA at DE after playing some OLB as a sophomore . . . Used as OLB at Senior Bowl this year. Steelers say he also can play ILB but will put him at OLB . . . Native of Houston, Texas.

ROUND 4, 130th overall, OT TONY HILLS, 6-5, 309, Texas Considered more of a finesse left tackle than a power blocker . . . Has had problems with drop foot and has had various injuries, including major knee injury, since his high school days. Steelers believe he's recovered from all fully . . . Has good size and arm length for the position . . . Steelers say Texas coaches told them he's better than former Longorn LT Jonathan Scott, a starter for the Detroit Lions . . . Needs to work on his lower body strength, which was limited because of past injuries.

ROUND 5, 156th overall, QB DENNIS DIXON, 6-3 1/2, 198, Oregon Surprise pick for a team that just paid $102 million to its 26-year-old starting quarterback, and has veteran Charlie Batch at No. 2 . . . Has a strong arm and would have been a much higher draft choice except that his ACL was torn and he missed the final three games because of it . . . Atlanta Braves drafted him in the fifth round in 2007 and he played the outfield for them last summer in Orlando. He said football is his passion and baseball no longer in his plans . . . Has a great upside and Steelers can be patient with him.

ROUND 6, 188th overall, LB MIKE HUMPAL, 6-2 1/2, 244, Iowa He started the past two seasons at weak side outside linebacker for the Hawkeyes in their 4-3 defense . . . Not a pass rusher -- had one career sack . . . Had 123 tackles last season . . . Will play inside linebacker for the Steelers.

ROUND 6, 194th overall, FS RYAN MUNDY, 6-0 1/2, 208, West Virginia Woodland Hills High School graduate from Wilkins He played four seasons at Michigan, where he started 18 games and graduated. Under a rule since rescinded, he was permitted to transfer and play immediately because he had graduated . . . Smart player who picked up Mountaineers' defensive scheme quickly and called the plays . . . Good size for the position and decent speed in the 4.5 area.