In our defense ...

If the Steelers stay put at 1.23, Joey Porter's Pit Bulls believe the best options are the following players (if they are available, of course):

1. Kenny Phillips, S, Miami

2. Kentwan Balmer, DE, North Carolina

3. Quentin Groves, OLB, Auburn

4. Dan Connor, ILB, Penn State

All defense, we know. The team already signaled that it plans to address the offensive line later in the draft. Each and every wide receiver on the board has issues, limitations and question marks. RB Jonathan Stewart is still in a walking cast, which makes him another question mark, and no other RB has a first-round grade. No need for a QB or TE in the first round, so it's Defense. The team should add a cornerback sometime this weekend, and we like Arizona's Antoine Cason, but we believe any of the four players listed below would make more sense for the Steelers at this time.

Taking a closer look, in inverse order:

4. Dan Connor: We're concerned about what happens after the season when James Farrior becomes an unrestricted free agent. It would be great if the Steelers re-sign Farrior, the defensive captain and signal caller, but if he goes away … well, that's why Connor is on this list. That, plus he's a safe choice (you know what you're getting) and a deserving player, anyway. He's a first-round talent who is arguably every bit as good as (and maybe better than) Paul Posluszny.

3. Quentin Groves has had some medical issues but is healthy now. He could be an explosive pass rusher coming off the edge. We're not sure how would be in coverage or against the run. Still, dynamic pass rushers don't come along every day. As noted in last Saturday's post, we like Groves, a lot. If Farrior leaves via free agency, the Steelers could move James Harrison inside and have Groves and Lamarr Woodley on the flanks. We're still not convinced Lawrence Timmons will ever amount to much more than a role player, if that.

2. Kentwan Balmer has had notable success for only one year, so there may be a question as to whether he will continue that high level of play in the NFL. We like his chances. Playing at defensive tackle, he showed last year that he can provide a steady inside push. He has a lethal punch and his hands are lightning fast -- keys to getting off blocks. In the Steelers system, he would play defensive end. As noted in Monday's post, you could make a very strong case for Balmer.

At 6-5, 308, Balmer is an Aaaron Smith clone, and every bit as athletic. It's conceivable Balmer could start at end in place of Brett Keisel, freeing up Keisel to take better advantage of his athleticism in some sort of new, hybrid-rover position. That probably wouldn't happen this year, however. This year, Balmer would step right into the defensive line rotation, and he would surely bolster the run defense, which sprang alarming leaks late last season.

1. Kenny Phillips is probably the safest choice of any player that might fall to the Steelers at 1.23 (although we suspect the Redskins might grab him at 1.21). As noted in Tuesday's post, the Steelers have almost no depth at the safety position.

Phillips is the best player at his position in college football. He's been the best player at his position at every level of play all his life. He has all the skills and attributes you could want in a safety. As is the case with Connor, Phillips would be a safe choice -- you know what you're getting.

No doubt about it: After Ryan Clark went down last year, the defense struggled. Yet at this point, we're not sure we can count on Clark to return or stay healthy for a full season; or Troy Polamalu, either, for that matter. We're not writing off Anthony Smith. There's a place for him on this team, absolutely. We just believe Phillips would dramatically improve the overall defense. Teaming the best safety in college football with the best safety in the NFL: It could only help.