May 17, 2006

By BOB LABRIOLA
Steelers.com

It was the day of the 1987 NFL Draft, and the Pittsburgh Steelers went into it knowing they needed defensive backs. Based on their 6-10 finish the previous season, the Steelers had the 10th overall pick in the first round, and they were intent on not wasting any time.

Everybody knew the best defensive back available in the 1987 draft was a cornerback from Purdue named Rod Woodson, a player so good the Steelers had no expectation of him being there when it came time for their pick. But when he was - thanks to huge miscalculations by the Cleveland Browns and St. Louis Cardinals - the Steelers wasted no time in picking him.

Then came the second round, and the Steelers still wanted another defensive back, and so they picked a Clemson cornerback named Delton Hall. At that point, they believed their work for the day was done. Two picks, two prototype cornerbacks. Big, fast and physical. The secondary was better as soon as their names were announced as official draft picks.

A funny thing happened to the Steelers when it was time for their fourth-round pick - they didn't need any more defensive backs, but there was another one there who was too good to pass up...

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