I'm not ready to pack it in yet.

Frustrating season, so far, but the Steelers may have the perfect cure coming up in the Oakland Raiders and Cleveland Browns.

Either way, never a bad time to start looking at the potential need areas.

Here is what I came up with as far as the pressing needs.

NT...Casey Hampton is an unrestricted free agent so the Steelers may have an obvious void to fill at nose tackle. Hampton has played typically well this year so I'd say they should try and keep him for another two years or so. I think that's the better way to go than drafting a nose tackle and expecting him to come in and be great right away. There are some good DT prospects in Suh, Cody, etc. but they'll be gone early.

Potential pick: Dan Williams, DT, Tennessee

ILB...James Farrior is about done, so the Steelers need to find another inside linebacker to play alongside Lawrence Timmons but they also need to find a leader and organizer at linebacker since Farrior is that guy right now. It's not essential to draft an inside linebacker in college to play inside in the pros, you just need someone that is active and fast that can play sideline to sideline. I think this is a position they can address in rounds 2-5.

Potential pick: n/a (this doesn't appear to be a deep group, maybe somebody will jump out more during the bowl season or combines)

CB...I think this is the biggest area of need. The Steelers probably won't find another Rod Woodson but they need to think along those lines. A cornerback that is bigger, can cover, tackle, blitz and intercept passes when the ball is close to him. Unlike Ike Taylor. Keep in mind, these CBs are rare and there doesn't appear to be one this year but they should still look for help in this area. Joe Haden from Florida appears to be the most well-rounded. I'm not sure he's a real gamechanger, just very sound in coverage and run support. Patrick Peterson from LSU might be the best run and cover guy but he's only a true sophomore.

Potential pick: Joe Haden, Florida

WR...This is all about Golden Tate. Wide receiver is not a major area of concern for the Steelers but I would throw that out the window and pick Tate anyway because of the old theory that you just want to build a team with good football players that love to play. Even if Holmes and Wallace are in their future plans, Tate would bring some of the toughness and versatility that they're going to lose when Ward retires.

Potential pick: Golden Tate, Notre Dame

KR/PR...Stefan Logan is coming on a little bit but they can do better and there are some good options this year. Tate has shown some of that ability.

Potential pick: C.J. Spiller, Clemson or Dexter McCluster, Ole Miss

Golden Tate may be a good pick for them, he's the type of receiver that seems to do well there.

CJ Spiller would just be nasty for them, but I doubt if they take him. Mendenhall is pretty tough. Who knows though. They have a good problem to have and that's not having too many NEEDS. They can pretty much just take the best player available.

others I like:

Brandon Graham, OLB, Michigan
...Probably first or second rounder. You have to like the way he has hustled and made plays without a lot around him on that defense.

Dekoda Watson, ILB, Florida State
...Rounds 2-5. I still like this guy. He's on the small side but is really fast and closes quickly. FSU doesn't have the defensive line they've had in the past so I don't think this season is a true representation of what he can do when the defensive line is allowing him to run around and make plays.

D'Anthony Smith, DE, Louisiana Tech
...Rounds 1-4. I'd compare him to Brentson Buckner, the former Clemson standout that had a nice pro career. DE or DT. Very strong and productive and like Buckner sort of has a fun time playing the game.

Adrien Clayborn, DE, Iowa
...Rounds 1-4. He's had a big year, really active along the defensive line with a good burst. Another Ziggy Hood.

Rahim Alem, OLB, LSU
...Rounds 4-7. He's not as consistent as you would like but is also playing out of position at DE. He's going to be an outside linebacker at the next level and has the athleticism to move around and drop into coverage. Defenitely a New England type of player if not Pittsburgh.

Todd Denlinger, DT, Ohio State
...Rounds 6-7. Won't go until the late rounds or may go undrafted but I think he can be the same situational/spot starter at the next level that he is in college. He has a good work ethic and therefore has gotten better each season. Could be another Chris Hoke type guy.

Best corner on the board. Hopefully one that can catch.

Steelers should go with either Joe Haden or Brandon Spikes imo. Both should be available around the Steelers pick.

I have always thought that the Steelers weakness is their secondary, but a tremendous pass rush has always covered up the problem. Also, they are completely different with Troy back there causing havok. I think they need corner help, but not sure if there is one that is worth a 1st round pick.

I want them to draft Tate and Graham bad.

I don't have names yet, but I agree with the priorities - cornerback (Gay shouldn't be more than the nickel back), nose guard (the Steelers won't pay Hampton at this point in his career), and ILB (they could pick up a good one in the 2nd or 3rd round to replace Farrior).

best DT in the draft IMO is McCoy from Oklahoma. While I'm not sure if he'll fall to the low 20's (which is where I'd expect the Steelers to draft) That's the ONLY DT you should consider. Tate would be good, but I think they need to focus on the CBs and OL with this draft. Those 2 areas have been exposed this year.