Steelers Have 23rd Selection in 2008 NFL Draft

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers will have the 23rd pick in the 2008 NFL Draft that will be held April 26-27 at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.

The Steelers have a total of six selections in the 73rd annual draft, including at least one in each of the Draft’s first six rounds.

This is the 21st year the NFL will conduct a two-day draft and the 16th consecutive year for the seven-round format with a total of 252 draft picks, including 32 compensatory selections that were awarded to 15 teams. The NFL had a 12-round format from 1977-92.

The Draft begins Saturday, April 26, at 3 p.m., and two rounds will be completed on the first day. The final five rounds will take place Sunday, April 27, beginning at 10 a.m. Teams are allotted 10 minutes for each selection in the first round and seven minutes in the second round. Five minutes are permitted for all subsequent rounds.

For the third consecutive year, two networks will be televising the Draft in its entirety. NFL Network, which is airing the Draft for the second time, will televise both days of the Draft while ESPN/ESPN2 will continue their annual coverage of the entire draft through its conclusion. Additionally, the Steelers’ official web site (www.steelers.com) and NFL.com will have exclusive coverage and behind-the-scenes features and Sirius NFL Radio will broadcast a live streaming audio feed all weekend.

FAN PARTICIPATION: Steelers fans can participate in Draft Day festivities at the 2008 Steelers Fan Blitz, presented by Comcast. Steelers Fan Blitz will be held from 1-7 p.m. Saturday, April 26, at Heinz Field, and will feature a number of fun-filled events, prize giveaways, and a chance for fans to meet some of their favorite Steelers. For more information on all of the day’s events, please log on to www.steelers.com.

Tickets are now on sale at the Steelers Sideline Stores at the Monroeville Mall, South Hills Village , Pittsburgh Mills, Prime Outlets at Grove City and Heinz Field as well as www.ticketmaster.com and all Giant Eagle ticketmaster outlets. Tickets will also be available on the day of the event beginning at 9:00 am at the Steelers Ticket Office at Gate B.

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DRAFT NOTES: A total of 32 compensatory choices have been awarded to 15 teams which suffered a net loss of certain free agents last year…Dallas is the only team to have two first-round picks (Nos. 22 and 28)… Cleveland does not have a first-round pick…In 72 previous Drafts, the Steelers have selected in the first round in all but seven…Six of last year’s eight Steelers draft selections were on the roster during the 2007 season.

FIRST GLANCE: The Steelers’ 2008 draft class will make its first official visit to Pittsburgh May 2-4 for the team’s mini-camp…The Steelers will hold OTA’s (organized team activities) April 21-22, May 20-22, 27-29, and June 3-5, 10-12.

                                               

STEELERS 2008 DRAFT SELECTIONS: 1-23; 2-53; 3-88; 4-123; 5-156; 6-188.

STEELERS DRAFT NOTES:

 


MOST CHOICES:

All-Time: 30 were chosen in each draft from 1943-48.

Modern Era: 22 in 1971 (11 off., 10 def., 1 sp.); 1976 (12 off., 10 def.)

FEWEST CHOICES:

All-Time: 5 (2003)

Modern Era: 5 in 2003 (2 off., 3 def.), 7 in 2001 (3 off., 4 def.), 8 in 1997 (4 off., 4 def.), 9 in 1996 (4 off., 5 def) and 2000 (5 off., 4 def).

HIGHEST CHOICE:

First overall choice in Draft: 1956 (DB Gary Glick); 1970 (QB Terry Bradshaw)

LATEST FIRST CHOICE:

Eighth round in 1959 and 1963

FIRST-ROUND DRAFT CHOICES BY POSITION: (since 1970)

·         7 Defensive Backs (1973, 75, 78, 87, 93, 97, 03)

·         7 Wide Receivers (1971, 74, 84, 94, 99, 00, 06)

·         6 Offensive Linemen (1986, 89, 92, 96, 98, 02)

·         5 Defensive Linemen (1981, 83, 85, 88, 01)

·         4 Running Backs (1972, 79, 82, 89)

·         4 Tight Ends (1976, 90, 95, 05)

·         3 Quarterbacks (1970, 80, 04)

·         3 Linebackers (1977, 91, 07)