Steelers prepare for the 2016 NFL Draft

The Pittsburgh Steelers have the 25th overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft that will be held April 28-30 at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University in Chicago.

The Steelers have a total of seven selections in the 81st Annual Draft, including their own selection in each of the Draft's first four rounds and also in round seven. The team has a compensatory pick in the sixth round, and a seventh-round slot acquired from the New York Giants. This is the seventh time in league history the NFL will conduct a three-day draft and the 23rd consecutive year for the seven-round format with a total of 253 draft picks.

The Draft begins Thursday, April 28, at 8 p.m., and only the first round will be completed on the first day. The second and third rounds will take place on Friday, April 29, beginning at 7 p.m. The final four rounds will take place on Saturday, April 30, beginning at Noon. Teams are allotted 10 minutes for each selection in the first round and seven minutes in the second round. Five minutes are permitted for the third through sixth rounds. Four minutes will be allowed between selections in the seventh round and for all compensatory selections.

For the 11th consecutive year, two networks will be televising the Draft in its entirety. NFL Network, which is airing the Draft for the 10th time, will televise all three days of the Draft while ESPN/ESPN2 will continue their annual coverage of the entire draft through its conclusion. Additionally, the Steelers' official web site (www.steelers.com) and NFL.com will have exclusive coverage and behind-the-scenes features. Steelers Nation Radio and ESPN 970, as well as Sirius NFL Radio will broadcast the entire draft as well.

Tickets are now on sale at the Steelers Sideline Stores at the Westmoreland Mall, South Hills Village, Pittsburgh Mills and the Premium Outlets at Grove City as well as www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets will also be available on the day of the event at the Steelers Ticket Office at Gate B at 10 a.m.DRAFT NOTES: Twenty-five top prospects are confirmed to attend the 2016 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University in Chicago...In 80 previous Drafts, the Steelers have selected in the first round in all but seven...Seven of last year's eight Steelers draft selections are currently on the roster...Dating back to 2010, the Steelers have selected 12 players in the first and second round and 11 are on the current roster.STEELERS 2016 DRAFT SELECTIONS: 1-25; 2-58; 3-89; 4-123; 6-220; 7-229; 7-246STEELERS DRAFT NOTES:MOST CHOICES:
All-Time: 30 were chosen in each draft from 1943-48.
Modern Era: 22 in 1971 (11 off., 10 def., 1 sp.); 1976 (12 off., 10 def.)FEWEST CHOICES:
All-Time: 5 in 2003 (2 off., 3 def.)
Modern Era: 5 in 2003 (2 off., 3 def.)HIGHEST CHOICE:
First overall choice in Draft: 1956 (DB Gary Glick); 1970 (QB Terry Bradshaw)LATEST FIRST CHOICE:
Eighth round in 1959 and 1963FIRST-ROUND DRAFT CHOICES BY POSITION: (since 1970)

• 8 Offensive Linemen (1986, 89, 92, 96, 98, 2002, 10, 12)
• 7 Defensive Backs (1973, 75, 78, 87, 93, 97, 2003)
• 7 Wide Receivers (1971, 74, 84, 94, 99, 2000, 06)
• 7 Defensive Linemen (1981, 83, 85, 88, 2001, 09, 11)
• 6 Linebackers (1977, 91, 2007, 13, 14, 15)
• 5 Running Backs (1972, 79, 82, 89, 2009)
• 4 Tight Ends (1976, 90, 95, 2005)
• 3 Quarterbacks (1970, 80, 2004)

STEELERS DRAFTS SINCE 2007 (Head Coach Mike Tomlin's First Year)