Good pedigree: The Steelers added Doran Grant in the fourth round, a 5-10 cornerback who comes to the team with good pedigree from Ohio State. Grant is the second corner the Steelers have selected in the draft, taking Senquez Golson in the second round.
"A corner that has matched up with some top-notch programs has seen a lot of receivers that have gone in probably the first, second or third round," said defensive backs coach Carnell Lake. "Ohio State has seen them. They have played them in the biggest game there is in college football and that would be in the National Championship game. To have that kind of experience and step right into the NFL, gives him a slight advantage."
Hometown pick:Jesse James had his NFL dream come true, with the South Allegheny High School product being selected by his hometown team. James, who played at Penn State, was the Steelers fifth-round selection and is ready to go to work.
"I couldn't be happier," said James. "I think it's a great fit. Being from Pittsburgh, I'm happy to go there. I couldn't be more excited to get there and get to work."
James is familiar with the Steelers, and is looking forward to learning from veteran tight end Heath Miller.
"I couldn't be more excited to get in the tight end room with him and learn from him and watch him practice," said James. "He's a guy that I've watched film on for the past year so I'm just trying to learn his game and how he goes about things since I've been watching him, and learn from him."
The next LT:The Steelers have had success taking defensive linemen in later rounds, including Brett Keisel who was a seventh-round pick in 2002, and they are hoping to have the same success with the selection of Central Michigan's Leterrius "LT" Walton in the sixth round.
"He is a guy when I watched he stays on his feet," said assistant head coach/defensive line coach John Mitchell. "He has a good motor, he runs to the ball. When you can get a guy 6-5, 319 that can run and stay on his feet, that is a big plus. He goes by LT and I told him if can play like LT (Lawrence Taylor), him and I will be happy. This guy has the measurements you look for and want."
Keeping it competitive:The Steelers added their second outside linebacker in this draft, taking Miami's Anthony Chickillo in the sixth round. Chickillo, 6-3, 267, joins No. 1 pick Bud Dupree as the team's two new linebackers.
"I am looking forward to working with Bud. "I am looking forward to working with Chickillo," said linebackers coach Joey Porter. I am looking forward to working with the guys we already have here in the building. I think when you add depth, you make it a better group. Now the competition is set so high. We are not naïve to the situation. It's only going to be four spots, maybe five. The competition just got that much stronger."
Putting up the numbers: The Steelers closed out the 2015 NFL Draft by taking Gerod Holliman from Louisville, who tied an NCAA record for most inceptions in a season with 14 in 2014.
"This kid has great instincts, great awareness, he is a film studier," said General Manager Kevin Colbert. "You see him making breaks on the ball before the quarterback throws it and he has the great hands to finish it. This kid is a ball hawk. He knows how to make interceptions."
