If the Steelers Can't Sign Mendenhall and Sweed, Then What?

Fans of the Steelers have been flying high since Pittsburgh drafted Rashard Mendenhall and Limas Sweed in the 2008 NFL draft. But hold on Black-n-Gold diehards. The Steelers have yet to sign their top picks, and training camp is just over the horizon.

The Steelers are counting on Rashard Mendenall, running back from Illinois and first round pick, to be RB Willie Parker's perfect on-field compliment. Although Mendenhall is Parker's back up and probably won't get many carries at the beginning of the season, he will make it up with his receiving and short yardage abilities. Mendenhall is expected to get plenty of third down action and possibly steal some goal line glory from Parker.

As for Limas Sweed, Pittsburgh's second pick and wide receiver from Texas is expected to fall into the ranks with Hines Ward and Nate Washington. Standing at 6'4", Sweed is what QB Ben Roethlisberger ordered to grab those seemingly out of reach high passes.

So, what will the Steelers do if they can't sign their promising number one and two picks?

At the running back position, the Steelers are in somewhat decent shape with the recent signing of free agent Mewelde Moore (Minnesota Vikings). However, go any deeper and you'll only find one-year veteran Justin Vincent. Pittsburgh must sign Mendenhall to have any chance of a decent running attack especially if Parker suffers any type of injury like he did last season.

Hines Ward and Nate Washington are the talented veteran receiving duo that can carry the receiving load without much problem. In spite of this, it will be imperative for the Steelers to sign Sweed to elevate the receiving team to the next level. No one has the height or the talent that Sweed will bring to the game. Pittsburgh would have to rely on veteran Dallas Baker if Sweed sits. Not a promising resolution.

Obviously, it's in the Steelers best interest to get Mendenhall and Sweed signed as soon as possible. They can't afford to have these two talented athletes sit on the sideline if they expect to have any chance of being competitive in 2008. No, Mendenhall and Sweed alone are not the magic snap-of-the-fingers that will take the Steelers to the Super Bowl. However, they will jump start the team enough to keep them working towards that ultimate goal.