Florida State cornerback taken No. 2
Saturday, April 23, 2005
By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Just as they did last year, only 19 spots lower, the Steelers got their man in the draft when they selected Virginia tight end Heath Miller with the 30th pick of the first round of the NFL draft today.
Miller becomes the first tight end drafted on the first round by the Steelers since they took Mark Bruener in 1995, and he should be their best receiver at the position since Eric Green was selected No. 1 in 1990.
Miller's forte as a 6-5, 255-pound tight end is catching the football. He caught 41 passes for 541 yards last season as a junior and won the Mackey Award as the nation's best tight end.
"He's the guy who kinda fits what we like to do. . . I think he fits our system well," said Steelers coach Bill Cowher.
Miller was a first team All-American last season. Against Pitt in the Continental Tire Bowl after the 2002 season, he led the Cavaliers with 84 yards receiving on four catches, including a 52-yard touchdown.
With their No. 2 pick and the 62nd overall, the Steelers selected Florida State cornerback Bryant McFadden.
The scouting consensus is that McFadden, an All-Southeastern Conference defender, is a No. 2 corner who may lack athleticism but reads plays quickly and closes well on the ball.
A smart, disciplined defender, he doesn't shy from contact but has trouble staying with the very quick receivers. Has good instincts and is similar to former Seminoles cornerback Samari Rolle, though he isn't a playmaker in Rolle's class.
Trai Essex, an offensive tackle from Northwestern, was the Steelers No. 3 and final pick of the day.
A converted tight end and three-year starter for the Wildcats, Essex is very quick for an interior lineman. He moves and slides well and at times plays with a mean streak.
The scouting report says Essex is a long-range prospect whose quickness and raw athletic ability makes his a intriguing player.
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