From the Steelers' official website

I have no idea what a BLESTO scout is, but the position will now be filled by former Steelers defensive back/special teams captain/king of downing punts at the 1-yard line, Chidi Iwuoma.

This is exciting news to nobody but me, because I own this jersey:

Yes, I am that kind of hipster.

Been working on some stuff about the Steelers' rookies this year, but I want to get that all done before they start publishing. It's May; if you're hurting for football news, buy Madden or something.

With Rashard Mendenhall moving on to Pittsburgh, Part 2 in Arizona and Emmanuel Sanders settling for a one-year deal before he likely leaves for greener pastures, depth on offense was going to be an issue for the Steelers. When the sun came up on Friday, the Steelers had three running backs: Jonathan Dwyer, Isaac Redman, and Baron Batch. Batch came in highly touted for a late draft pick and was expected to assume the role of 3rd down back after Mewelde Moore departed. Batch hasn't impressed in his short time in Pittsburgh and it looks like he'll have to hold his job against the incoming LaRod Stephens-Howling.

That left Redman and Dwyer to battle for the starting job. Both are thick power backs capable of blasting through tacklers, but the lack of speed and agility between the two backs doesn't bode well for an every-down running game. Redman and Dwyer are basically the same player, but they need a Rashard Mendenhall type in front of them to handle the bulk of the work. That brings us to Le'Veon Bell. He's about the same size as his two new backfield mates, and with a 4.6 40 time, he doesn't have elite speed. Given that, it seems like they want more of the same from the running back position. I'd be interested to know what they like in Bell moreso than Eddie Lacy, but that's what Kevin Colbert's scouts get paid for.

One round later, the Steelers chose Markus Wheaton out of Oregon State to fill out the wide receiving corps. The aforementioned Emmanuel Sanders is in a lame duck year as a receiver, but fortunately that means he'll be playing for a new contract. The problem is going to be whenever Brown or Sanders gets hurt and now the offense is featuring Jerricho Cotchery. Wheaton will get plenty of chances to play this season.

As for the rest of the draft, the Steelers are still hurting for a backup safety to groom behind Troy Polamalu and Ryan Clark (and inevitably play when one or both of those guys get hurt, which one or both of them will). The presence of David Paulson and Matt Spaeth diminish the need for a tight end to get some reps in case Heath Miller isn't ready to go.

With their major, immediate needs filled thus far in the draft, the Steelers are in a position to take the best player available on the last day of the draft. They'll lean towards a safety, but if a guy they like doesn't come along, I don't expect them to reach for one.

I'm also not sure if this is the year or not that the Steelers put some serious stock into grooming a new backup QB. It's not a pressing need for the team, with Bruce Gradkowski shoring up the position, but this could be a good year to find a backup. Without any real stars at QB in this draft, second-tier passers are falling into the later rounds. If Kevin Colbert likes one of them on Day 3, I'd expect him to take the opportunity.

He has a luxury on the final day of the draft though; one that he didn't have the first two days. He doesn't need anything in particular. That gives him the option to take what he wants. That's a much better position to be in.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have signed running back LaRod Stephens-Howling to a one-year deal, according to the team's website. With only Jonathan Dwyer and Isaac Redman on the depth chart at the moment, the Steelers had a definite need to att RB depth. Stephens-Howling is expected to play mostly special teams and third downs rather than being the new feature back to replace Rashard Mendenhall.

It's nice to see a former Pitt Panther join the Steelers (and hey, maybe they'll draft Ray Graham this weekend) and bolster the depth in the backfield a little bit. It doesn't change the desperate need for a real starter, and likely won't alter Colbert's draft strategy tonight.

I'm on the record as hoping Eddie Lacy falls to Pittsburgh in the second round. This signing has done little to change my stance. It might not happen, but expect the Steelers to address that position before the end of the draft. As the rounds go on, the strategy will shift to "best player available" but if they have to reach a little bit to get someone at the RB position, they probably will.

Meet Jarvis Jones, the former-DE, future-OLB that will be joining the Steelers this fall. He was the consensus pick from the mock drafts, and Kevin Colbert made a number of people just look a little smarter. James Harrison's replacement might not start right away, but with the instability on the right side of the defense (sorry, Jason Worilds fans), Jarvis could find playing time sooner than later. He'll certainly have his chance to take the starting job in training camp.

If you know me, you know I like this pick. In a pinch? Draft more linebackers. If the defense were ten linebackers and Troy Polamalu, I'd be fine with that. Jarvis Jones pretty much closes the door on Jason Worilds' career. The front seven has a lot of youth in the mix. The next ten years will depend on them living up to their draft pedigree. Jones' tape says he can motor. Brett Keisel (and eventually Cam Heyward) are going to have to open lanes for him to prove he belongs in the NFL.

Heads up: The NFL Draft is on Thursday. Other football blogs have been saturated with prospect reports, scouting updates, and all sorts of draft coverage basically since the Superbowl ended.

Consensus winner: Jarvis Jones

The only reason players get listed as "DE/OLB" coming out of college is because they are going to be a 3-4 OLB. An actual hybrid player at that position is hard to find, yet a thousand of them come out every year. If Jarvis Jones is indeed a future Steeler, he is the de facto replace for James Harrison on the right side of the defense. He's a pass-rusher; not especially versatile. He isn't the fastest guy and he may not be able to drop into coverage very well. I'm not sure if Dick LeBeau would prefer to work with a player like that, but the Steelers are really hurting for a pass-rusher on that side. If Jones is available at 17, it's possible the Steelers take him purely out of necessity.

Runner-up: Cordarrelle Patterson

Again, a pick that could be determined by need. Patterson is a hot-shot wide receiver from the SEC. The Steelers have really backed themselves into a corner by losing Mike Wallace and having to settle on a one-year lame-duck deal for Emmanuel Sanders, and they might be forced to spend their first round pick on a wide receiver rather than the best player available. I'm not saying I don't want a receiver like Patterson on the team, I'm only saying I don't like the team being forced to make a pick based on position.

Runner-up: Kenny Vaccaro

Here's a player the Steelers could pick based on the future rather than the present. The Steelers have a notable hole behind Troy Polamalu and Ryan Clark on the depth chart, and that is a position that gets playing time for the Steelers. Having a talented rookie playing behind those two veterans would mean a lot to this defense in the future. Ryan Clark is getting older every year and Troy Polamalu is eventually going to fall apart. Sooner or later, the Steelers are going to need a safety of the future. If Vaccaro is that guy, I like it.

As for the other projections, Bjoern Werner is basically the same as Jarvis Jones from an analysis perspective. I wouldn't mind having a guy named Jarvis on the team, but I could really get behind someone named Bjoern. Justin Hunter, like, Patterson, is a wide receiver from Tennessee. It depends on which player fits the offense better, but it's the same idea that the Steelers have a clear need for a pass-catcher. Speaking of pass-catchers, a few drafts (only one listed here), suggested Tyler Eifert out of Notre Dame. I get that Heath Miller is coming off ACL surgery, but the Steelers have a lot more pressing needs than tight end. Why spend a first round pick on a TE if Miller ostensibly has several effective years left?

Xavier Rhodes is just a continuation of the "get some more DBs" refrain, though I'm not convinced the Steelers need youth at corner. Enough draft picks have been spent there the past few years, and it's time for one of them to rise up and take a starting job. This is especially not a need if the Steelers indeed choose Kenny Vaccaro. Eddie Lacy is a more intriguing prospect. I'm always torn on drafting running backs, because a good run-blocking line will do more with less, and that's why so many running backs in the league today were undrafted. The Steelers need a running back though, and Lacy has some crazy talent. So much that I doubt he falls to the Steelers at 17, but if he's there, he would be hard to pass up even for me. He's a fast and tough runner who can play every down between the tackles. Coming from Alabama, you know you're getting a pro-ready player with a ton of experience winning games. But given his chances of going higher coupled with more pressing needs at positions that are harder to find, I don't think Lacy will be wearing the black and gold.

It sounds like Jarvis Jones is a likely pick, and it's one the Steelers desperately need. The entire defense is built around rushing the passer. Someone has to put Andy Dalton and Joe Flacco on the ground to win the AFC North, and even if LaMarr Woodley regains his form (not holding my breath), if you're predictable you might as well be dead against an NFL quarterback. Serviceable wide receivers and running backs can be found in later rounds, but you can't fake a good pass-rusher. If Jarvis Jones is there at 17, I'm on board.

Big time disclaimer: All of this is wrong because who on Earth thought the Steelers would land David DeCastro last year? Anything can happen on draft day.

A little bit of legitimate football news the week before the draft! The NFL schedule was released last night, giving us our first chance to really predict things for the 2013 Steelers. Despite not knowing how any team will perform, who will get hurt, or how the draft will go, everyone on the internet is still going to break down the schedule and predict an exact W-L record for their team. Well, I'm on the internet, so it's time to join the party, right? Without further ado:

WEEK 1: Tennessee @ Pittsburgh
It feels like early-season games against the Titans happen every year, doesn't it? They're rarely easy games, as some lingering rivalry from the AFC Central really gets the hate flowing for these two teams. That said, Tennessee has fallen on hard times the past few years and it's totally unknown how they're going to play. Working in the Steelers' favor: The defense won't be worn out from a long season in week 1. If they can stop Chris Johnson, the Titans' offense becomes elementary.
Prediction: Steelers win a game that is closer than most expect.
Record: 1-0

WEEK 2: Pittsburgh @ Cincinnati
This game starts at an absurd 8:40 PM on Monday Night Football, and the schedule ramps up in a hurry. The Bengals are, and it feels sort of weird to say this, a pretty good football team. We know what Andy Dalton and AJ Green bring to the table (touchdowns) and BenJarvus Green-Ellis, esq. headlines a running game that may not dominate but can balance their offensive attack. Bernard Scott is still on the team and you just know he's going to convert a 4th down late in the game or something. The good news is that it's a road game in Cincinnati, which has never been terribly hostile to the Steelers.
Prediction: Cincinnati hands the Steelers and early-season disappointment with a late-game comeback.
Record: 1-1

WEEK 3: Chicago @ Pittsburgh
The Steelers' first of two appearances on Sunday Night Football features the Chicago Bears. This is a matchup to look forward to. Chicago and Pittsburgh have a similar identity, embodied in their football teams. Plus, Bears fans are cool. The downside? Jay Cutler is going to tear the Steelers apart, because for some reason he just always does.
Prediction: Jay Cutler throws for 460 yards and 3 TDs for some reason. Panic sets in in Pittsburgh.
Record: 1-2

WEEK 4: Pittsburgh @ Minnesota
The Steelers will make their first venture across the Atlantic to play the Vikings in the NFL's annual visit to Wembley Stadium in London. It'll be interesting to see how many Steeler fans attend, given that they always travel well. As for the football, the wacky week of travel makes things difficult to predict, but the Vikings aren't terribly good. Much the Titans, if you can stop Adrian Peterson, you can bring that offense to a screeching halt. Unfortunately, you can't stop Adrian Peterson. It's going to be a fun game. (Bonus drinking game: Take a drink every time they make a Big Ben QB/clock joke).
Prediction: The Steelers aerial attack speeds the game up too much for the Vikings to lean on the running game for 60 minutes. Steelers win.
Record: 2-2

WEEK 5: BYE
The Steelers get a week of rest to recover from the five-hour jet lag that comes with a trip to and from London. Jump for the rest of the schedule

So the Steelers' preseason schedule has been released.

Well. Kind of released. We know whose third-string backups we'll get to see anyway.