The Sports Xchange

PITTSBURGH — Once again, the Pittsburgh Steelers made more news for the players who left than the ones who arrived this year. Among those gone: Troy Polamalu (unwanted, retired), Ike Taylor (unwanted, retired), Brett Keisel (cut), Jason Worilds (retired) and cornerback Brice McCain (signed with Miama).

Has any team ever had three defensive starters retire?

It’s been the changing of the guard on defense for the Steelers, who consistently had the best defense throughout the 21st century. Now, the only one left from that defense with two Super Bowl rings is James Harrison, who at 37 may be among their top three or four defenders.

The Steelers did little to supplement that defense other than re-signing some of their own free agents: Harrison and fellow linebacker Arthur Moats, safety Will Allen, and defensive end Clifton Geathers. They signed one veteran free agent, halfback DeAngelo Williams after he was cut by Carolina.

That brings them to the draft, and it should be heavy on defense, particularly at outside linebacker and cornerback. Those should be 1-2 next Thursday and Friday in either order. There aren’t many top-flight 3-4 outside linebackers available and the draft is deep in cornerbacks, so it’s possible they would take the linebacker first, then the corner. But they are so weak at cornerback, they may just grab one there.

Their secondary has been a mess. Polamalu wasn’t the same last season so his loss really is not that great. The question becomes, do they have anyone to adequately replace him. They traded in the draft two years ago in order to take Shamarko Thomas in the fourth round but he has done little in his first two seasons and was hurt much of last year. This is not a draft for safeties unless you can grab the first one, Alabama’s Landon Collins. He would remain a possibility for the Steelers if he slides to No. 22.

The Steelers have eight draft picks, including one compensatory choice in the sixth round. On offense, they can use a halfback and a tight end and that’s about it, although they might grab another wide receiver. The rest should be geared to defense. They are pretty much set in the defensive line, although they still could use a backup end. It would surprise no one if they drafted two linebackers and two cornerbacks.

2014 Record: 11-5, 1st in AFC North

First Draft Pick: #22 Overall

BEST FIT: LB Bud Dupree, Kentucky.

The Steelers have drafted linebackers in the first round in each of the past two years, but they are thin on the outside and after two years, they still do not know what they have in Jarvis Jones. At 6-foot-4, 269, Dupree could eventually play on the left outside for them, where veteran Arthur Moats is ticketed to start now.

TEAM NEEDS

1. Cornerback: There has not been a Pro Bowl cornerback in Pittsburgh since Rod Woodson and the Steelers lost two from last season, Ike Taylor and Brice McCain. It is their thinnest position and they could draft two of them, one in the first two days of the draft.

2. Outside linebacker: With the retirement of Jason Worilds and the little knowledge they have yet about Jarvis Jones, the Steelers at the moment look to have their weakest outside linebackers in two decades. They re-signed James Harrison, 37, just in case. Jones’ second season was ruined by a wrist injury and he did little as a rookie.

3. Safety: Troy Polamalu is gone and injuries to Shamarko Thomas in his second season has prevented them from truly evaluating him as his replacement. They expect veteran Mike Mitchell to have a more consistent second season with them. They resigned Will Allen, like James Harrison, just in case.