The Pittsburgh Steelers are coming off of another successful season with a 12-4 record. However, their postseason was cut short with a loss at Denver. The 29-23 thriller would have the last game of Tebow Mania at Mile High seeing the Broncos defeating the Steelers on the first play from scrimmage in overtime. Unfortunately for Pittsburgh, two of their regular season losses were to the arch rival Baltimore Ravens, who took the AFC North Division title and put the Steelers on the road in the playoffs as opposed to enjoying a Wild Card Round bye week. While Pittsburgh looks to be a playoff contender yet again in 2012, there have been more changes to personnel than the organization is accustomed to. Strapped by the salary cap, the Steelers released long time veteran leaders, wide receiver Hines Ward, linebacker James Farrior, and defensive end Aaron Smith. Ward and Smith have since retired. Guard Chris Kemoeatu was yet another cap casualty. Long time backup nose tackle Chris Hoke also retired. Still struggling with the salary cap, the Steelers renegotiated and redid a lot of other veteran players contracts. Another major change this upcoming season will be new offensive coordinator Dick Haley, who takes over after the long running soap opera of former offensive coordinator Bruce Arians employment ended with the announcement of his retirement only to take the Indianapolis Colts offensive coordinator job shortly thereafter. The disenchantment from Art Rooney II with the red zone offense and running game efficiency over the last few years was no secret. The mission of Haley, since he already accepted it, will be to score more points, run the football better, and keep Ben Roethlisberger upright and healthy. Yet another situation impacting the Steelers as they head into the draft is restricted free agent Pro Bowl wide receiver Mike Wallace, who has yet to sign his tender offer. Wallace and the Steelers prefer to work out a long term deal, outside the one-year tender offer of $2.7 million under the new CBA. If a team signed Wallace, the Steelers would have received their 2012 first round pick as compensation, however the deadline for that to happen has now passed. The representatives of Wallace are said to be looking for Larry Fitzgerald-type money (eight years, $128.5 million) a deal is not going to get done with Pittsburgh - or any other team, as a team will not want to give up any picks or players as trade compensation to the Steelers if they cannot sign Wallace to a long term deal themselves. Wallace is a talent and the top deep threat in the NFL today, but Antonio Brown actually outperformed him over the second half of 2011. Can the Steelers realistically sign both playmakers to long term deals? Can Emmanuel Sanders stay healthy and be the second or third receiver now and into the future? Brown and Sanders will be restricted free agents after 2012. Despite re-signing veteran Jerricho Cotchery, these questions regarding the receiving corps surprisingly make wide receiver a need position in this draft, despite how good the position looks on paper for 2012. The Steelers primarily build their team through the draft with the first wave of free agency being an afterthought, the signing of tight Leonard Pope notwithstanding. For a 12-4 football team, Pittsburgh has a lot of needs. Due to roster turnover, age creeping up on the defense, and the dire need for salary cap friendly players, the Steelers have as much or more riding on the draft as ever. The draft needs of the Steelers run right down the middle of the team with nose tackle, inside linebacker, and a young safety on defense while interior offensive linemen and a running back would be welcome additions on offense. As always, General Manager Kevin Colbert and Head Coach Mike Tomlin will also have their eyes out for a playmaking pass rusher, a cover corner, or weapons at receiver. The Steelers pick 24th in the first round and have all of their own picks this year, in addition to three compensatory picks in the seventh round. Depending on how the draft unfolds, Pittsburgh could either trade up or trade down to get players they want. While they are unlikely to move up in the first round, they could trade down, perhaps picking up an extra second and/or third round picks while still getting a player they have targeted. It is possible that two players the Steelers have in their crosshairs at need positions could be available to them in the first round, Memphis nose tackle Dontari Poe who blew up at the NFL Scouting Combine with amazing test scores and Alabama inside linebacker Donta Hightower who led the 2011 National Championship defense for the Crimson Tide. Poe is massive at 6-foot-4, 346 lbs., runs a sub-5.0 forty and benched 225 lbs. 44 times at the combine. Nose tackle is a critical position in the 3-4, as it essentially acts as a fulcrum for the defense that allows it to operate optimally. Veteran nose tackle Casey Hampton looks to be back for one more season, but coming off of knee surgery, may not be ready for the start of the season. Backup Steve McClendon, while very strong, does not have the mass to be effective in taking up multiple blockers consistently. Defensive end Ziggy Hood may fit into the nose tackle depth chart out of necessity, but is better left at end. Hightower would represent yet another playmaking linebacker for the Steelers who have lost their leader in Farrior while veteran inside linebacker Larry Foote is near the end of his career. Special teamer Stevenson Sylvester projects as more of a bridge type of player at the position as opposed to being the long term solution. If neither Poe nor Hightower are available, the Steelers could trade out of the round for additional picks. While it is unlikely, they could also look at the offensive line, even though they have used first and second round picks on the line in the last couple of years with Maurkice Pouncey and Marcus Gilbert. If a player like Stanford guard David DeCastro were to fall or Georgia offensive lineman Cordy Glenn, who projects as a power blocking guard or right tackle, might give the Steelers pause from trading down. The following is a 2012 "Fantasy Draft" for the Pittsburgh Steelers: Round 1., Pick # 24 – Dont'a Hightower, ILB, Alabama – The Steelers bring in Farrior's long term replacement who may start right away. The decision is easy, as Poe will likely be gone by Pittsburgh's pick. Some teams' draft boards will have Boston College's Luke Kuechly as their top inside 'backer, but Hightower is a perfect fit for the Steelers. He is a huge inside presence in the mold of former Steeler great Levon Kirkland. Like Kirkland, Hightower is huge at 6'4" and weighing 260 lbs. He is a natural leader and makes plays hitting anything that moves in front of him. Less linebackers are high draft picks with the NFL having become a pass happy league, but Hightower is also very good against the pass, showing a knack for knowing where the first down marker is and blasting pass catchers before they can cross it. Hightower gives Defensive Coordinator Dick LeBeau a lethal line backing unit that he can ride until his eventual retirement. The current cast would represent a very similar group to what the Steelers had in the mid - '90s with Greg Lloyd and Kevin Greene on the outside with Kirkland and Chad Brown on the inside. Like Lloyd, James Harrison is an undersized, controversial playmaker. LaMarr Woodley is a powerful strong side pass rusher akin to Greene. Hightower will look to be that inside thumper like Kirkland, while Lawrence Timmons is a versatile, athletic run and hit guy like Brown used to be. The Steeler Nation will certainly laud the landing of their latest linebacker addition. Round 2., Pick # 56 – Alameda Ta'amu, NT, Washington – Pittsburgh sets a new team draft precedent in taking two players in a row with apostrophes in their names... While Ta'amu does not have the athleticism and upside of Poe, he still possesses prototypical nose tackle size at 6'3", 348 lbs. His arm length is on the short side and could be an issue at times, but his strength and quickness off the snap should negate that problem and help him tie up multiple blockers at a time. It will remain to be seen if he can anchor the defense for a decade as former Steeler nose tackle Joel Steed did and Hampton has, but Ta'amu has the necessary mean streak for success at the position. Round 3., Pick # 86 – T.Y. Hilton, WR, Florida International – Somewhat of a surprise pick with all the Steelers needs, but the organization has been exemplary in finding outside playmakers in the draft over recent years and the trend continues with Hilton. He is a high character player who helped the fledgling FIU team progress as a program. In addition to his considerable character, Hilton is an outstanding football player. He is a sudden playmaker who can get to his sub 4.4 forty speed very quickly and can be like a jack rabbit in the open field. Hilton is not the biggest receiver at 5'10", 184 lbs., but he comes up large on game day. With contractual situations at receiver, he provides a great insurance policy for Pittsburgh. Hilton will make an immediate impact as a return man, with Brown having become more important and featured in the passing game, while adding yet another home run threat for Roethlisberger. Round 4., Pick # 119 – Lucas Nix, G, Pitt – The Steelers want to make strides running the ball and Nix is a classic road grader. He simply gets movement in the running game with his 6'5", 310 lb. frame. Nix does not excel as a pass blocker, but he is adequate as a guard, having played a lot as a right tackle at Pitt. He can eventually stabilize the right guard position that has seemingly been a revolving door. Plus, interior offensive linemen Doug Legursky, Ramon Foster, and Trai Essex are all on one-year contracts, so even some short term stability would be welcomed. Some coaches feel one of the best abilities is availability. Tomlin covets versatility and Nix can play some right tackle in a pinch, increasing his value to the team. Round 5., Pick # 159 – Jeff Fuller, WR, Texas A&M – Pittsburgh plucks yet another receiver off the board...this time, it is a big receiver, as Fuller is an angular 6'4", 217 lbs. Roethlisberger has crowed for a big receiver for years even after the failed Limas Sweed selection of 2008 in the second round. Also, Haley will want to call some Dwayne Bowe-esque routes in the red zone to try and improve the Steelers scoring efficiency. Fuller can provide that type of option. Surprisingly, while quarterback Ryan Tannehill has experienced quite the ascension up the draft board with the success of the Aggies 2011 season as well as his post season, Fuller has experienced a similar descension down draft boards. He was thought of as a second round or even a possible late first round pick heading into the college season. However, he was slowed by injuries and had some inconsistencies, but he is a steal in the fifth round. Fuller has big strong hands and while not an elite route runner, he understands how to position himself to make plays. Round 6., Pick # 193 – Donnie Fletcher, CB, Boston College – The Steelers already have a stable of young corners with Keenan Lewis, who finally showed some signs last year, and second year players Cortez Allen and Curtis Brown. Starter William Gay left via free agency and Bryant McFadden was released. So, a spot is available for Fletcher, who has the size the Steelers like at corner at 6'0", 200 lbs. He is not a burner, running a 4.53 forty, and he does not have the quick switch hips to turn and run with elite receivers. Although, Fletcher has nice instincts for the position and jumps plays very well. He is a sure tackler. Fletcher should have a chance to stick playing zone coverage as a dime back while he works on his man coverage skills. Round 7., Pick # 231 – Jeff Demps, RB, Florida – Having four seventh round picks, the Steelers pick a player who may or may not play football at all this year. Demps is a very intriguing prospect though who could play in the near future, if not the beginning of the NFL season. The speedster out of Florida, is trying to make the US Olympic Track Team in the 100 Meters at the 2012 Summer Games in London. So, rather than worrying about shuttle runs to prepare for the combine, Demps has concentrated on his long distance sprinting. As a Gator, Demps never truly dominated consistently, but he went through a regime and scheme change there, as well as, always having to share touches. Demps will never be a bell cow of a back at 5'8", 191 lbs., but he has game breaking speed to go with good athleticism and could make an impact with a few carries, catches, and kick returns a game. Round 7., Pick # 240 (compensatory pick) – Derek Wolfe, DE, Cincinnati – Wolfe played primarily on the inside with the Bearcats, but Pittsburgh projects him as an end in their 3 - 4 scheme. At 6'5", 286 lbs., he can hold the end of the line at the point of attack and allow the Steelers linebackers to come up and make plays on the edge. Wolfe does not have a lot of bite as a pass rusher, but the Steelers will take any sacks as a bonus. With Smith retired, he can make the team as a back up to Brett Keisel, Hood, and last year's first round pick Cameron Heyward while also carving out a niche on special teams as he works on his position conversion. Round 7., Pick # 246 (compensatory pick) – Quinton Richardson, S, Washington – With safeties Troy Polamalu and Ryan Clark both coming off of the Pro Bowl, safety is not a position of dire need, but both players are now on the wrong side of thirty. A young heat seeker could land a position in the secondary and provide some valuable depth. Richardson fits the bill as a late round prospect, at 5'11", 204 lbs., and possessing 4.4 forty speed. While being plagued with inconsistency and some missed tackles, his experience against future NFL QBs Andrew Luck, Matt Barkley, and Nick Foles could serve him well in making the transition from college football in the Pac - 12 to the NFL. Round 7., Pick # 248 (compensatory pick) - Bradie Ewing, FB, Wisconsin – Having missed out on Pitt's Henry Hynoski as a priority free agent last year, the Steelers use a draft choice and select a fullback this time around. Ewing is not the biggest battering ram available at 6'0", 239 lbs., but he is outstanding as a lead blocker and was a vital cog in the Badgers top rushing offense. The Steelers want to run the ball more effectively and Ewing could help Haley and company do just that. Haley will use a fullback more in his offense than Arians did. Also, with having lost some good special teams players to the salary cap, Ewing can help Pittsburgh in that area, as well. These draft picks do not address all of Pittsburgh's needs, but the Steelers are savvy enough in their personnel department to know that all of a team's needs cannot be addressed in one offseason. Colbert and Tomlin will improve depth at some long-term need positions in the second wave of free agency after the draft. The Steelers will likely sign a veteran offensive tackle, running back, and cornerback that have the ability to make the team and contribute this year. However, make no mistake, the Steelers do their heavy lifting in the draft and the 2012 haul will determine their strength now and well into the future.