Pittsburgh Steelers 2013 Draft Preview

Apr 16, 2013 - 3:21 PM (Sports Network) - There is plenty of work to be done in Pittsburgh as age has slowly crept up on the Steelers.

In fact, this could be the most important draft for Pittsburgh in years as they have to replenish multiple positions.

The Steelers have moved on from former Defensive Player of the Year James Harrison, will likely replace veteran nose tackle Casey Hampton and really can't count on oft-injured safety Troy Polamalu.

Meanwhile, two of the team's younger playmakers, wide receiver Mike Wallace and cornerback Keenan Lewis jetted in free agency to Miami and New Orleans respectively. The team was able to keep restricted free agent receiver Emmanuel Sanders, who signed a one-year offer sheet with New England, making that position less of a priority.

The Steelers are seemingly always looking for help on the offensive line while the club will also need help at running back because Rashard Mendenhall left for Arizona.

Georgia linebacker Jarvis Jones, who has been falling since running some poor 40 times at his pro day, would be a perfect sit in Western Pennsylvania with the 17th overall pick as would Texas safety Kenny Vaccaro or LSU 'backer Kevin Minter.

2012 Record: 8-8

Top Needs: WR, LB, S

First Three Picks: No. 17, No. 48, No. 79

Number of Selections: 8 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 6, 7)

RECENT FIRST ROUND HISTORY: 2012 - David DeCastro (OG, Stanford); 2011 - Cameron Heyward (DE, Ohio State); 2010 - Maurkice Pouncey (C, Florida); 2009 - Evander "Ziggy" Hood (DL, Missouri); 2008 - Rashard Mendenhall (RB, Illinois); 2007 - Lawrence Timmons (LB, Florida State); 2006 - Santonio Holmes (WR, Ohio State); 2005 - Heath Miller (TE, Virginia); 2004 - Ben Roethlisberger (QB, Miami-Ohio); 2003 - Troy Polamalu (SS, USC).