The Pittsburgh Steelers don't have a clear pattern when it comes to their draft strategy over the past few seasons, so it's clear that anything is possible.
However, it's not hard to know what their areas of need are. The Steelers need to boost their offensive line, add at least one linebacker, likely pick up another wide receiver and a quarterback isn't out of the question either.
Right now, the main question is who the Steelers will end up taking with their No. 24 overall first-round pick.
The team has been reportedly linked to Georgia offensive guard Cordy Glenn, Ohio State offensive tackle Mike Adams and linebacker Dont'a Hightower. Bleacher Report's Matt Miller most recently projected Boston College linebacker Luke Kuechly to be their first-round selection.
Linebacker seems to be the position they need to fill most immediately, as they cut starter James Farrior from their roster to save precious cap space.
Hightower would be the most logical fit, but Kuechly, with his pursuit-style of tackling and great deal of speed and mobility, could add an extra dimension to the Steelers still-strong linebacking corps.
If the Steelers choose to go with offensive line with their first-round pick (considering the talent drops off precipitously in later rounds), Glenn needs to be their primary target.
However, with so many teams eyeing Glenn, it would serve them well to not only keep Adams in their sights but also Miami guard/tackle Brandon Washington and Iowa offensive guard Kelechi Osemele, whom they could pick up in a later round if necessary.
Versatile defensive tackle Dontari Poe, who wowed at the Scouting Combine, would be a perfect fit for the Steelers, but the chances are high that he's well off the board by the time they pick in the first round. Poe could be useful immediately as a replacement for nose tackle Casey Hampton, who may miss the entire 2012 season.
If Poe is out of their reach, however, Pittsburgh could target Washington's Alamed Ta'amu, who could easily still be on the board once it's time for their second-round selection.
I wouldn't be surprised if the Steelers brought on a wide receiver even if they retain the services of restricted free agent Mike Wallace. Wallace will be unrestricted in 2013, and their two other starting receivers, Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders, will be restricted free agents as well.
That means it's yet again time for the team to develop another receiver in hopes he can replace any one of those players should they be lost in a year from now (or less). Luckily, it's a deep draft class for receivers.
Anyone from South Carolina's Alshon Jeffery, Wisconsin's Nick Toon, LSU's Reuben Randle or Michigan's Junior Hemingway could be available to the team depending on when they choose to pull the trigger.
Finally, the Steelers could be looking closely at quarterbacks. All three of Ben Roethisberger's backups are currently unrestricted free agents, and considering their salary cap situation, it's not likely all will be back in 2012.
Head coach Mike Tomlin took Michigan State quarterback Kirk Cousins out to dinner the night before his pro day, so clearly he seems to have piqued the interest of the team. Other players worth developing include Arizona State's Brock Osweiler and LSU's Jordan Jefferson.
But again, this looks to be a draft filled with non-skill position adds for the Steelers. Look for them to go heavy on the offensive line, linebackers and defensive line, with a receiver or a quarterback (or perhaps tight end or running back) peppered in.
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