Steelers won't be backed into a corner at NFL Draft

Asked about being taken in the 2005 NFL Draft, Bryant McFadden is quick to rattle off the details.

“Sixty-second pick,” the former Steelers cornerback said. “Right behind San Diego and right before Philadelphia. I remember it like it was yesterday.”

It might not seem as memorable to Steelers fans, but it was a notable pick for at least one reason: The selection of McFadden with the third-to-last pick of the second round 10 years ago is the most recent time the Steelers have taken a cornerback that high.

And forget about the first round. Players who will be taken in this year's draft April 30-May 2 weren't old enough for kindergarten the last time the Steelers used their top pick on a cornerback (1997).

“One thing about the Steelers, they really believe it's not about where you draft a guy, it's about the type of guy you draft,” said McFadden, who played six seasons for the Steelers and now works as a host for the 120 Sports network.

“They haven't had that type of high-round corner because they found corners who are pretty consistent and who fit their scheme. And they were successful with them.”

Over the past 11 seasons, the Steelers have won three AFC championships and two Super Bowls. Five times they had the NFL's No. 1 defense.

And it was all built on the defensive foundation that didn't invest a large amount of resources — particularly in the draft — at cornerback.

“In Pittsburgh's case, for years they didn't have really good corners,” NFL Network analyst Charley Casserly said. “That defense was won with the front seven.

“As you played them, you didn't see cornerback as really a valuable position in that defense.”

Neither, apparently, have the Steelers —– using their drafting history over the past two decades as a guide.

The Steelers took Maryland's Chad Scott, who played eight years in Pittsburgh, with the No. 24 overall pick 18 years ago to the day. Since then, the team has invested first-round picks in three guards, three wide receivers, three linebackers (two inside, one outside), two defensive ends and one each at center, defensive tackle, running back, tight end, safety and quarterback.

The only position the Steelers have not filled with a first-round pick since their last cornerback selection is offensive tackle.

“That's certainly not done by design. It's just by the way the draft breaks,” said general manager Kevin Colbert, who took over football operations in 2000.

Colbert noted the average spot where the Steelers have selected in the first round over the past 14 drafts is 23rd.

“Usually, the top, top corners go before that,” Colbert said. “Certainly, there are some that have been picked in the second, third, fourth, fifth round (or) whatever. ”

Whatever the cause, the Steelers' lack of high picks used on cornerbacks virtually is unmatched in the league. Since the Steelers most recently used a second-round pick on a cornerback in 2005, Cincinnati has invested four first-round picks at the position. The Bengals have used eight first- or second-round picks on cornerbacks over the past 17 drafts, and San Diego seven.

The Steelers, conversely, are joined by Philadelphia and Detroit as the only teams to draft fewer than three cornerbacks in the first two rounds since 1998.

Also since then, all other 31 teams have taken at least one cornerback earlier in a draft than No. 38, which is when the Steelers selected the forgettable Ricardo Colclough in 2003.

Since the selection of McFadden in 2005, the team has made 16 first- or second-round picks: Five linebackers (two inside, three outside), two each of running backs, defensive ends and offensive tackles, plus a center, guard and defensive tackle.

Again, no cornerbacks.

The Steelers insist that's a coincidence.

“Never have we gone in (into a draft) saying we can't take a position here in the first round. We have never done it here,” Colbert said.

“We evaluate all the positions and see what falls to us.”

More than a few mock drafts from national analysts predict the Steelers' early-round cornerback drought will end this year. Recent events suggest it's a need: A starter for more than a decade (Ike Taylor) retired last week, a starter from the end of last season (Brice McCain) left as a free agent and a player signed to a big contract before last season (Cortez Allen) lost his starting job — all from a pass defense ranked 27th in the NFL in 2014.

None of that will coerce the team into opting for fresh blood at cornerback, however. The Steelers certainly could draft a cornerback with one of its early picks, but if they do, it won't be at the expense of a player at another position they believe is better.

“We trust our approach to the draft process,” coach Mike Tomlin said. “And obviously what's available to us when we're on the clock will be a predominant factor in terms of whom we select because we believe in players as opposed to needs.”

Chris Adamski is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. Reach him at cadamski@tribweb.com or via Twitter @C_AdamskiTrib.