OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS
1. Boss Bailey, 6-3, 233, Georgia
By far the best at a position that's not very strong this year. Three-year starter with nine interceptions the past two seasons. He's a perfect outside linebacker in a 4-3 defense because he has the coverage skills to go with his ability to flash forward and make plays.
2. Antwan Peek, 6-2 1/2, 245, Cincinnati
A former wide receiver and defensive back, he started at right rush end the past three seasons and many project him as an outside rush linebacker. He visited the Steelers in recent weeks, and, if they draft him, he would be a pass-rushing specialist in their dime defense. Had 18 1/2 sacks the past two seasons. Tough, intense, quick.
3. Nick Barnett, 6-1 1/2, 235, Oregon State
Overall a good player who has worked hard to get where he is. Not an accomplished pass-rusher but good in coverage and instinctive. Former strong safety, he switched to linebacker in 2000. Always around the ball.
4. Sam Williams, 6-4 1/2, 245, Fresno State
With the dearth of quality at this position, he has risen on draft boards. He's relatively inexperienced, but has the ideal talent for the position -- the size, speed and quickness. Became a starter halfway through 2001, but missed time with a separated shoulder last season. Visited the Steelers.
5. Pisa Tinoisamoa, 6-0 1/2, 231, Hawaii
Great athlete with speed, quickness and range. Quick off the ball like Kendrell Bell. His height is only thing holding him back. But Bell is barely 6-1, and it doesn't seem to hinder him. Some teams might try him on the inside. A nasty streak, on and off the field.
6. Chaun Thompson, 6-2, 240, West Texas A&M
Fifth-year player who started four years, missing 2000 with a broken elbow. Runs in the low 4.5s, a time that hasn't changed even though he's added a dozen pounds since the season ended. Great athlete who is best at rushing the passer from the right edge. Does not cover receivers well.
7. Cie Grant, 6-0 1/2, 228, Ohio State
A former safety who started the 2001 season at cornerback and played well there. Also a sprinter on the track team. He's undersized at linebacker. Could play strong safety in the pros. Might be a great special teams player and situational safety/linebacker.
8. Robert Mathis, 6-0 1/2, 230, Alabama State
Here's the kind of project the Steelers have been successful at fitting into their 3-4. He was an undersized starting defensive end who must convert to linebacker in the pros. The Steelers have done that with players such as Jason Gildon, Joey Porter, Clark Haggans and Carlos Emmons.
DEFENSIVE TACKLES
1. Dewayne Robertson, 6-1 1/2, 317, Kentucky
Passed Jimmy Kennedy on the draft board in February. Three-year starter coming out early. Not as tall as NFL scouts likes, but was so dominant he might be selected in the top five picks. Strong and quick.
2. Jimmy Kennedy, 6-4, 322, Penn State
Big and strong, sometimes too big. Once topped 400 pounds. Teams worry about him being able to keep his weight in check, which he has been able to do the past few years. Not a good pass-rusher but strong against the run. Can control the inside and draw double-teams.
3. Kevin Williams, 6-5, 302, Oklahoma State
Made a big impression at combine and individual workouts. Good athlete with quickness and speed. Hard-worker with long arms. Can also play end. Good strong hands help him win many battles inside.
4. Johnathan Sullivan, 6-3, 312, Georgia
Plays strongly throughout the game, never letting up. Not very quick off the ball. Good size and decent speed. Two-year starter leaving school one year early. Very intense, and has played end.
5. William Joseph, 6-5, 306, Miami
Four-year starter after taking a freshman redshirt. His sack total dipped from 10 as a junior to five last season, although he led the Hurricanes with 16 tackles for losses. Extremely quick and strong, he tosses aside blockers.
6. Ty Warren, 6-4 1/2, 306, Texas A&M
Can play end or nose tackle in the 3-4 defense. Dominant when he wants to be. Uncle is Curtis Dickey, fifth player drafted (by Colts) in 1980. Great at stopping the run. Doesn't put full effort into every play.
7. Kenny Peterson, 6-3 1/2, 296, Ohio State
Might be the perfect 3-4 defensive end (a Steelers-type) because he's not quick enough to play the 4-3 end or big enough to play tackle. He's powerfully built with strong hands and rarely takes a down off. Pulled a hamstring recently during a workout.
8. Rien Long, 6-6, 302, Washington State
Outland Trophy winner represented by Ralph Cindrich of Mt. Lebanon. He had 13 sacks last season, but needs to get bigger and stronger. Has good speed and quickness, but can get overpowered. Has had injury problems. Did not perform well in offseason workouts or at combine, almost as if he were uninterested.
9. Nick Eason, 6-3 1/2, 300, Clemson
Not consistent, but, when he's on, he's one of the best in the game. Quick, but needs to work on his technique. Good size for defensive tackle, and works hard in weight room. Had problems with Achilles tendon last season.
10. Anthony Adams, 5-11 1/2, 297, Penn State
Overshadowed by Jimmy Kennedy. Shorter than NFL teams like for the position, and his arms are also short. Hard worker who plays at a high speed with good intensity. Productive. Had a great Senior Bowl workout, which helped him rise on the draft list.
SAFETIES
1. Troy Polamalu, 5-10, 206, Southern California
If he's available at No. 27, Steelers will draft him. Fast, smart, tough, a safety who can hit and cover with the best of them. Not as tall as most teams like for a safety but he can fly and separate a receiver from the ball with a big hit.
2. Mike Doss, 5-10, 207, Ohio State
Big hitter who has so-so speed and does not cover well. Many believe the Steelers might draft him, but he's no better than Chris Hope, a safety they drafted in the third round last season. Although similar in size, he does not compare to Polamalu.
3. Ken Hamlin, 6-2 1/2, 210, Arkansas
Another big hitter in the old style of strong safety fast vanishing in the NFL, the so-called "box safety." He has the athletic ability to become a better coverage safety. Off-field issues include two DUI arrests and a suspension from the team.
4. Terence Holt, 6-2, 208, North Carolina State
Older brother is Rams receiver Torry Holt. Great size for a safety with good speed. Great special teams player with a number of blocked punts and blocked field-goal attempts. Better in zone pass coverage than man-to-man.
5. Julian Battle, 6-2, 205, Tennessee
Played safety and cornerback. The type of safety the Steelers would love to get. Scouts question his work ethic. Has natural football ability and size to match, and some team may draft him higher than the No. 5 safety.
6. Terrence Kiel, 5-11, 204, Texas A&M
Good size and speed, he's a physical safety who many believe would thrive in the old Steelers system. Not good coverage skills, although his 4.5 speed should be good enough for him to stay with receivers he would have to cover in the pros. Visited the Steelers this month.
7. Corey Jenkins, 6-2, 230, South Carolina
Good later pick for the Steelers as sleeper at this position. Started first eight games at quarterback last season, then moved to safety for final two. Played in Boston and Chicago White Sox minor-league organziations for four years after being selected by the Red Sox in the first round in 1995. Returned to play football in 1999. Runs 40 in 4.55.
INSIDE LINEBACKERS
1. E.J. Henderson, 6-0 1/2, 245, Maryland
Far and away the best inside linebacker in a poor crop. Three-year starter with 434 tackles during that span. Butkus Award winner who dominates between the tackles. Had 17 career sacks. Great anticipation, always around the ball.
2. Bradie James, 6-2 1/2, 243, LSU
A little slow for the position, but he has good size and is a tough guy who can play inside or out and makes all the plays. Bench presses more than 400 pounds. Intimidating player, but not a great athlete.
3. Gerald Hayes, 6-1, 240, Pitt
Can play inside or out. Three-year starter with 133 tackles last season. Always around the ball and makes the tackle. Team leader. A little short to play outside. Should be outstanding as a rookie on special teams.
4. Terry Pierce, 6-1 1/2, 250, Kansas State
Not a great athlete, but a player who works hard and plays hard. His speed, clocked in mid-4.8 range, hurts. Cannot get outside to make plays. A junior. Good size. Smart. Became a starter during 2000 season.
5. Kawika Mitchell, 6-1, 252, South Florida
Started four years after transferring from Georgia. Like many others in this crop, not particularly tall for the part. Has a 3-foot vertical jump. Stock began rising after outstanding Combine workouts. Good athlete.
6. Victor Hobson, 6-0 1/2, 251, Michigan
Starter for nearly 3 1/2 seasons. Productive and intense, making up for shortcomings with hard work and passion. All-Big Ten after leading Wolverines with 99 tackles last season. Good leader. A little slow and not explosive. Good strength.
PUNTER
1. Eddie Johnson, 6-3 1/2, 230, Idaho State
High altitude helped his 46.2-yard average, but he has a strong leg and frequently places the ball inside the 20. Backup quarterback in junior college. Holder on place kicks.
CORNERBACKS
1. Terence Newman, 5-10 1/2, 190, Kansas State
Top five pick, he has Rod Woodson-like ability without Woodson's size. Great athlete who also played some wide receiver last year. Shoulder problem won't cause him to be downgraded. Can step right in to start for someone as a rookie.
2. Marcus Trufant, 5-11, 200, Washington State
Almost as good an athlete as Newman, but not as good in coverage. Bigger and a better tackler. Will be a top 10 pick and likely starter. Starter in college since his freshman year.
3. Andre Woolfolk, 6-1 1/2, 198, Oklahoma
Not as fast as the top two, but he is bigger. The Steelers love him. He'll likely be picked before they can make a move. He played wide receiver before he moved to corner last season. Ideally, he could play in dime passing defense for a year as he polishes his game, then move into a starting role in 2004.
4. Sammy Davis, 6-0, 185, Texas A&M
Started the past three seasons without missing a game. Knows how to play the position. Good, solid player. Instinctive and smart. A little too lanky. Does not have great catch-up burst of speed.
5. Eugene Wilson, 5-10 1/2, 193, Illinois
Outstanding in coverage, no matter what kind. Three-year starter. Does not work hard off the field, however, and needs to be shown the way there. Not a big hitter. Also returned punts and kickoffs.
6. Dennis Weathersby, 6-0 1/2, 205, Oregon State
Sub-4.4 speed but is not faster than a speeding bullet. Shot in Los Angeles drive-by last weekend. He'll make a full recovery, but he's moved down the list. Outstanding size for the position. Smart, two-year starter and Academic All-American. Does not intercept many passes.
7. Rashean Mathis, 6-1, 202, Bethune-Cookman
Played safety and corner. Scouts' opinions vary as to where he will play. Has the size and speed to do either. Had 31 interceptions in college. Although scouts question the level of competition, he dominated, and that is not a big mark against him.
8. Nnamidi Asomugha, 6-2, 210, California
Could play safety in the pros, which increases his value. On the rise on draft boards. Great athlete with outstanding leaping ability. Has run a 4.4 in the 40 in some workouts. Should help on special teams and as a nickel player his rookie season.
9. Bryan Scott, 6-1, 220, Penn State
Starter since his sophomore season. Outstanding size with 4.55 speed. Tough, physical, he may have to move to safety in the pros. Good in zone coverage, but not man-to-man. Good tackler.
10. Drayton Florence, 6-0, 198, Tuskegee
Has great ability and size and outstanding in coverage, which normally might make him a high draft pick for the position. But despite his big-time talent, there are big-time character questions that have eliminated him from some draft boards.
DEFENSIVE ENDS
1. Terrell Suggs, 6-3 1/2, 262, Arizona State
Despite poor personal workouts the past month in which his 40-time was a disappointing 4.78, Suggs will be drafted high. It's hard to argue with those 44 sacks in three seasons, including a record 24 last year. Pure pass-rusher off the right edge. Not good against the run.
2. Jerome McDougle, 6-2, 265, Miami
Brother is offensive tackle Stockar McDougle of the Detroit Lions. Great athlete whose forte is rushing the quarterback. Two-year starter with 14 sacks. A little undersized for an NFL end, he'll have trouble against the run. Needs to get stronger, but has quick first step that gets him around tackles.
3. Michael Haynes, 6-3 1/2, 280, Penn State
Good athlete and pass-rusher, but not very powerful. A better pass-rusher than run-stopper. Had 15 sacks and seven forced fumbles last season. Better size than the top two, and he has good quickness. Needs to get stronger, not bigger.
4. Chris Kelsay, 6-4 1/2, 273, Nebraska
Blue-collar worker who overcomes shortcomings with elbow grease. Had a 3.7 GPA in finance, was team captain and a National Scholar Athlete. Has a history of injuries and is not extremely quick or strong. Hamstring problem has hampered his off-season workouts.
5. Dwayne White, 6-2, 275, Louisville
Type of player a team must deal with in game plan. A little short, but has great quickness. He played through a bad ankle sprain last year and through a broken hand in 2001. Loves to play and, at times, can disrupt an offense.
6. Tyler Brayton, 6-6, 275, Colorado
On the rise after running an unexpectedly fast 4.75. A dedicated over-achiever who works hard. Always hustling to the ball. Two-year starter. Not built well, slender for a defensive lineman.
7. Calvin Pace, 6-4, 269, Wake Forest
Might play outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense, and he visited the Steelers. Had 27 sacks in his three seasons as a starter. Made nice recovery from a broken leg in the last game of the season. He also has been moving up the draft ladder and is a lock to go no later than the second round.
8. Cory Redding, 6-4, 278, Texas
Extremely energetic player. Drops into pass coverage. Had 8 1/2 sacks last season. Not fast, but gets the job done through relentless pursuit. Does have strength and a quick first step. Some scouts project him as a tackle.
9. Osi Umenyiora, 6-2 1/2, 275, Troy State
A real sleeper. He won't be this high on most boards, and he's only here because the Steelers seem intrigued by him and had him in for a visit. Mel Kiper has him ranked 49th among ends, and Pro Football Weekly puts him at No. 28. Has size and good speed and lots of potential. A project who might be worth a late pick.
Defense: Ed Bouchette's 2003 NFL Draft Projections 
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