Considering the fact that before the 2009 NFL draft the Pittsburgh Steelers had just won a Super Bowl, and two years later they made the big dance once again seems to indicate that this team has remained an elite organization. That also seems to say that their 2009 draft class did what it was intended to do, keep this team at an elite level. The Steelers are great at finding guys who fit their system and that is why they play at a high level.
Here is a quick look at the 2009 Steelers draft class:
•Round One (32)- Ziggy Hood DT •Round Two (79)- Kraig Urbik OG •Round Three (84)- Mike Wallace WR •Round Three (96)- Keenan Lewis CB •Round Five (168)- Joe Burnett CB •Round Five (169) Frank Summers RB •Round Six (205)- Ra’Shon Harris DE •Round Seven (226)- AQ Shipley C •Round Seven (241)- David Johnson TE
So Ziggy Hood has played in every game since being drafted and stepped in to start at LDE. The 3-4 defense does not allow him to rack up many big time stats, but he did have three sacks in 2010. Urbik on the other hand is now a Buffalo Bill. Mike Wallace has become a big part of what this team does through the air and racked up over 1,200 yards receiving in 2010. Keenan Lewis was a pretty good depth pick, and Joe Burnett is now on the New York Giants roster.
Frank Summers now runs for the San Diego Chargers, and Ra’Shon Harris was cut in the ’09 training camp. AQ Shipley was signed to the practice squad and this team found a center in the 2010 draft. David Johnson remains on the team as a backup TE. So overall we cannot call this drat class a home run, but it landed them a few solid pieces and since they were already so good that is all they needed to do. Sometimes it is easier for elite teams in the draft as they do not have to hit on as many picks to make a big impact.