Steelers needs: Smart approach serves Steelers well

The Pittsburgh Steelers have won two Super Bowls in the past four years. The reason is simple.

They draft well.

The Steelers have a hole at corner after letting Bryant McFadden leave as a free agent. (Getty Images)

Kevin Colbert, the Steelers' director of player personnel, is one of the top personnel men in the league when it comes to drafting. For some reason, he doesn't get his due.

He should.

The Steelers are one of the smart teams that rarely dive into the free-agency pool, instead choosing to build their team with good drafting. Their roster is loaded with star draft picks.

The other good thing about the Steelers is they have a good feel for when it's time to let a player go. That's the case this year with corner Bryant McFadden. They liked McFadden, but not enough to give him a mega-contract. So he signed with Arizona for two years and $10 million.

The Steelers will likely draft a corner in the first two or three rounds -- maybe even in the first round -- to help fill that void.

That's the Steelers way.

That's the winning way.

QB: Ben Roethlisberger won his second Super Bowl, proving he is one of the game's elite. He isn't as conventional as some other top quarterbacks but he gets the job done. Backup Byron Leftwich is a free agent but if he doesn't sign somewhere else the Steelers would love to have him back. Charlie Batch and Dennis Dixon are also in the mix.

RB: Willie Parker is the starter, but Rashard Mendenhall will push him for time. Mendenhall is a tougher inside runner who is coming off a major injury. Mewelde Moore offers a nice third-down back, while Carey Davis a nice fullback.

WR: Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes form a nice pass-catching combination. Ward is no longer the top guy, being passed by Holmes, but he can still get the job done. The key here is whether Limas Sweed steps up as the third receiver to replace Nate Washington. Sweed dropped several key passes last season as a rookie. Martin Nance is also in the mix.

TE: Heath Miller is one of the better all-round tight ends in the league. He blocks and he can be a factor in the passing game. Matt Spaeth is a solid backup and Sean McHugh is a young player with potential.

OL: The Steelers return the entire line that started in the Super Bowl, which they needed. Those five played well in the postseason, but the question now is if they can maintain it. The key is how well left tackle Max Starks holds up. The Steelers could still use an upgrade at a few spots, so look for an early pick on the offensive line.

DL: Age is starting to become a factor on their line. Casey Hampton, Aaron Smith and Brett Keisel are all 30 or more. They're all good players, but they have to find depth behind them and possible replacements. The Steelers got by with little backup help last season. Chris Hoke and Travis Kirschke are just OK.

LB: This is one of the strongest positions on the team. Outside rushers James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley are the best pair of outside linebackers in the game. Inside backers James Farrior and Larry Foote are good, but look for Lawrence Timmons to push Foote out this season.

Secondary: The loss of McFadden to the Cardinals in free agency leaves a huge hole. Can Deshea Townsend or William Gay fill it? There's also Fernando Bryant as a reserve. They will likely use an early pick on a corner. Troy Polamalu and Ryan Clark form a nice combo in the back two. Tyrone Carter is a decent backup, but they need a young safety who can run.