Steelers' first-round success to continue with Jones

By Rob Rang | The Sports Xchange

Historically, one of the least active teams in the NFL when it comes to veteran free agency, the Pittsburgh Steelers don't just talk about building through the draft, they actually do it.

The shared vision between general manager Kevin Colbert and his personnel department and head coach Mike Tomlin and his staff has been referred to by some as simply "the Steelers' Way." Selecting physically and mentally tough players who fit in with the blue- collar mentality of the area isn't, of course, new to Colbert and Tomlin. What is obvious, however, is that the approach has led to great success in the draft, especially in the first round.

Consider the players Pittsburgh has selected in the first round since the turn of the century and it is easy to see why the Steelers are an annual contender: WR Plaxico Burress (2000), NG Casey Hampton (2001), OG Kendall Simmons (2002), S Troy Polamalu (2003), QB Ben Roethlisberger (2004), TE Heath Miller (2005), WR Santonio Holmes (2006), LB Lawrence Timmons (2007), RB Rashard Mendenhall (2008), DL Ziggy Hood (2009), OC Maurkice Pouncey (2010), DL Cameron Heyward (2011), OG David DeCastro (2012).

As the list indicates, the Steelers just don't miss in the first round. Don't expect that to change with Jarvis Jones, the most productive pass rusher in college football a season ago and a perfect schematic fit in Dick LeBeau's 3-4 scheme.

While others slighted Jones due to his less-than-ideal 40-yard dash time, Pittsburgh scouts appreciated the only numbers that mattered -- his production.

READ MORE: http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/blog/rob-rang/22295972/finding-the-fits-steelers-first-round-success-to-continue-with-jones

I would probably bet on WR Justin Brown to be the diamond in the rough as a rookie. However, Vince Williams is just an injury away from getting a chance ... all because no one has shown the ability to push Foote for that starting ILB position the past few years.