Over the past decade, the team selecting No. 32 in the NFL Draft has had reasonable success at finding not only a good player but often a solid, productive starter.
Many 2009 NFL mock drafts have the Steelers targeting an offensive lineman and particularly a center in this Saturday's first round. They should have their pick of Oregon’s Max Unger, Louisville’s Eric Wood or Cal’s Alex Mack.
If they have concerns about the health of wide receiver Hines Ward, 33, there will be a variety of receivers from which to select in a draft that is well-stocked with wideouts in the late first round and early second round.
Take a look at the past nine selections with the overall No. 32 pick in the NFL Draft. Most teams would be happy to have at least eight of the nine players on their roster for the 2009 season.
- Miami Dolphins, 2008: Defensive end Philip Merling of Clemson managed only 26 tackles as a rookie reserve, but he had an interception touchdown return against Brett Favre in the regular-season finale to help the Dolphins clinch the AFC East.
- Indianapolis Colts, 2007: Wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez of Ohio State has made only 11 starts in two seasons but has 94 catches for 1,240 yards. He is the apparent replacement for Marvin Harrison as the starting wideout.
- New York Giants, 2006: Defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka of Boston College has been productive, with 150 tackles and 16.5 sacks in 34 starts.
- New England Patriots, 2005: Guard Logan Mankins of Fresno State has started every game of his NFL career.
- New England Patriots, 2004: Tight end Ben Watson of Georgia has only been a part-time starter but has 138 catches for 1,698 yards.
- Oakland Raiders, 2003: Defensive end Tyler Brayton of Colorado had 47 starts over five seasons with six sacks and 185 tackles and then went to the Carolina Panthers in 2008, starting all 16 games in the regular season with 40 tackles and 4.5 sacks.
- Washington Redskins, 2002: Quarterback Patrick Ramsey has been the relative bust in this group, filling a spot on the roster for four teams, the Redskins, New York Jets, Denver Broncos, and now the Tennessee Titans. He has started 24 NFL games.
- San Diego Chargers, 2001: Quarterback Drew Brees, now with the New Orleans Saints, came within 15 yards last season of the single-season passing yardage record held by Dan Marino of the Dolphins. Brees has passed for 26,258 yards in his career and has surpassed 4,400 yards passing in all three seasons with the Saints.
- Cleveland Browns, 2000: Wide receiver Dennis Northcutt spent seven seasons with the Browns and joined the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2007. He has surpassed 600 receiving yards in a season four times.
NFL Mock Draft, Picks 1-8 plus links to remainder of first round.
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