The Sports Xchange

PITTSBURGH — The Steelers long have said they do not draft according to need but with their two biggest needs at outside linebacker and cornerback it certainly looked as if they did.

They drafted an outside linebacker and two cornerbacks among their first four picks. Three onetime starters in the secondary left — safety Troy Polamalu and cornerback Ike Taylor retired and cornerback Brice McCain signed with Miami. They signed no free agents on defense.

“There is a concern when you have so many starters leave you at once,” said secondary coach Carnell Lake. “You want to make sure you replace them and replace them with quality players.”

–New outside linebackers coach Joey Porter said he has talked to James Harrison about conserving himself at age 37 this year. Porter said Harrison no longer can play 60 snaps a game, more like 35.

A closer look at the Steelers’ picks:

Round 1/22 — Bud Dupree, OLB, 6-4, 269, Kentucky

Steelers desperately need a pass rush — 33 sacks last season were their fewest since 1989 — and they believe Dupree will answer the bell on the left side of their defense. Not a projection, he played the position for the Wildcats, a three-year starter. Big, rangy, he can run, cover and get to the QB.

Round 2/56 — Senquez Golson, CB, 5-9, 176, Mississippi

Picked for another desperate need, he is an aggressive, smart, fast, ball-hawking player the Steelers have not had in quite some time at the position. His shortcoming is his height, although he still intercepted 10 passes last season. Unanimous All-America in a tough conference.

Round 3/87 — Sammie Coates, WR, 6-1, 212, Auburn

Tall, fast, big-play wide receiver joins a team that is awash in good to great receivers. Three-year starter for the Tigers. A knee injury in the opener last season limited his production to 34 catches for 741 yards and four touchdowns but still averaged 21.5 yards a catch.

Round 4/121 — Doran Grant, CB, 5-10, 200, Ohio State

He has good speed, decent size and is very strong. He started 30 games at Ohio State and also can play safety. Had nine interceptions in his career, five last season as a Buckeye co-captain.

Round 5/160 — Jesse James, TE, 6-7, 261, Penn State

Not used much in the Nittany Lions’ passing game, he’ll get a chance with the Steelers, especially in the red zone. Not expected, though, to be the heir apparent to Heath Miller. Could become the No. 3 tight end.

Round 6/199 — L.T. Walton, DE, 6-5, 319, Central Michigan

He played inside at CMU but the Steelers will use him at defensive end where they are thin after their two starters, Cam Heyward and Stephon Tuitt. Very raw and will need some time to develop.

Round 6/212 — Anthony Chickillo, OLB, 6-3, 267, Miami

Played defensive end at Miami but Steelers project him as 3-4 outside linebacker and pass-rush specialist. Dad Tony was defensive lineman in NFL in the 1980s and grandfather Nick played for the Cardinals in the 1950s.

Round 7/239 — Gerod Holliman, S, 6-0, 218, Louisville

Winner of the Jim Thorpe Award as best defensive back after leading NCAA with 14 interceptions last season. Not very good defending the run, so strictly a deep safety.