On the Steelers Radar

Branden Albert, Offensive line
6-foot-7, 310 pounds
Virginia

Strengths -- With his stature, Albert has room to grow and, perhaps, the versatility to move from a college guard to an NFL tackle no later than 2009. He has good strength, which is no true indicator of success, but it's a mandatory place to start. The best trait for Albert is that he is accountable. (Tomlin loves that in his players). He made 36 starts before leaving school early as a junior.

Weaknesses -- NFL scouts are concerned about what they call a soft body (lots of height without the corresponding weight) and inconsistent technique. Could he have worked harder at Virginia? Most likely, but then he would not be available at No. 23 where the Steelers have a chance to develop him into a good lineman.

Fits in with Steelers because -- The Steelers need offensive lineman after the loss of LG Alan Faneca and the recent injury history of LT Marvel Smith, who is entering his ninth season. Albert probably won't be asked to start this season, but he can sit back and learn what it takes from veterans such as Smith, RG Kendall Simmons and C Justin Hartwig. And the Steelers need to rebuild their offensive line with high picks.

Malcolm Kelly, Wide receiver
6-foot-4, 220 pounds
Oklahoma

Strengths -- Kelly has good, size, hands, intensity and the willingness to block and fight for the football that teams always like to see in their pass catchers. He also is a producer -- meaning he creates stats. Kelly averaged 16.0 and 16.8 yards per catch the past two seasons and combined for 1,814 yards and 19 touchdowns.

Weaknesses -- Injuries forced Kelly to leave Oklahoma's bowl games early the past two seasons. He is another early entrant into the draft, and he might have been better served to play another year in college and become the first WR taken in 2009.

Fits in with the Steelers because -- The team has a glaring hole at wide receiver, considering Hines Ward's age, Nate Washington's inconsistency and the release of Cedrick Wilson. Ward, Santonio Holmes and Washington aren't bad as a group, but what happens when age catches up with Ward and Washington stagnates? Besides, look at Kelly's height (6-4): When the $102 million QB asks for a tall target, it's important not to ignore him.

Mike Jenkins, Cornerback
6-foot-0, 200 pounds
South Florida

Strengths -- Jenkins has the size and speed to be effective in one-on-one coverage, and he isn't easily fooled by play action. He also uses his hands well in bump-and-run coverage. These types of players are difficult to find.

Weaknesses -- He doesn't excel in any one area, which might drop him into the Steelers' laps, if they are interested at No. 23. He also is a bit of a liability in run support, but you wonder if Mike Tomlin, a former secondary coach, is just brash enough to figure he can fix that in any young player. After all, at Jenkins' size, playing the run should be nothing more than a mindset.

Fits in with the Steelers because -- The Steelers gave up too many drives at key moments of games last season, and they need someone in their secondary to make big plays more often. Deshea Townsend can't play forever, and Ike Taylor has been inconsistent since his outstanding Super Bowl season. Teams know they never can have too many good cornerbacks, so Jenkins would fit as a nickel back right away and a starter sooner rather than later.

Calais Campbell, Defensive end
6-foot-8, 282 pounds
Miami (Fla.)

Strengths -- Campbell's superior athleticism and impressive frame make him almost perfectly suited for the Steelers' 3-4 defense, if that is what Tomlin decides to use as his base defense. But good athletes can excel anywhere in any scheme, and Campbell's quickness in lateral movements down the line and his pass-rush ability make him a natural for a 4-3, too.

Weaknesses -- Campbell was outstanding as a sophomore and the first part of his junior season in 2007, but he disappeared late. He was the team MVP with 10 1/2 sacks in 2006 and a preseason All-American in 2007. He started last season with 4 1/2 in five games, but finished with 1 1/2 in the final seven. The Steelers don't need streaky players -- they need a consistent force on the defensive line to complement right end Aaron Smith and, eventually, replace him.

Fits in with the Steelers because -- Tomlin is looking for big bodies on both sides of the ball, and Campbell is that. Like almost anyone a team drafts after the first 10 picks, he will take a while to get acclimated to the system. But the draft is as much about the future and coaching them up as it is about now (maybe more so when you can do no better than the 23rd pick).