Is it drafty in here?

In 1974, the Pittsburgh Steelers had the best draft class in history: Four Hall of Famers - Jack Lambert, Lynn Swann, John Stallworth, and Mike Webster. The next best draft in history (the 1969 Steeler draft) only had two.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette wrote of the draft:"The Steelers seem to have come out of the first five rounds of the draft appreciably strengthened at wide receiver but nowhere else. They didn’t get a tight end, and the ones remaining are more suspect than prospect. They didn’t get a punter, although none of the nation’s best collegiate punters went in the first five rounds. They didn’t get an offensive tackle that might’ve shored up what could well become a weakness. What they did get was Swann, who seems to be a sure-pop to help; Lambert, who figures to be the No. 5 linebacker if he pans out; and three question marks."

I'm not writing this because I'm thrilled with the draft. Instead, I'm recalling it because I realize the need to temper my comments - that time might make a fool of me, saying that this is a terrible draft class.

I will say this: the Steelers need offensive lineman like the Olsen twins need doughnuts. There were FANTASTIC lineman in the draft, and they didn't get them.

They needed cornerbacks like Eli needs supervision. They got none.

Instead, they followed the lead of 1930's France and put up the Maginot line at running back, wide receiver, and linebacker. Don't worry that the offensive line is as hole-y as Kwame Kilpatrick's alibi. Don't worry that the cornerbacks could make the Naval Academy's offense look like USC.

The Steelers have a long, long history of building through the draft. With the new administration in place, one has to wonder about their ability to see the long-term impact of these players.

I'm cautiously pessimistic.