The NFL’s 2021 draft is just three months away. Each week before the draft, we will dive into an NFL draft class beginning with the Steelers 2004 NFL draft. In doing so, each player selected by the Steelers will be highlighted on how their NFL career, or lack thereof, took shape. As we get to the more recent years, some will be combined, as many of these draft options are still with the Steelers.
Part 1 of 15 will highlight the 2004 Steelers draft for the NFL. It seemed like a great starting point to feel that it is the furthest point at which a member of the 2020 Steelers was summoned.
So, let’s take a look at the eight players chosen by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2004 NFL draft:
Ben Roethlisberger
Quarterback, Miami (OH)
Round 1
Choose 11
Going into the 2004 NFL draft, many Steeler fans hoped the team could have grabbed one of the best quarterbacks, but it seemed unlikely that he would make it to the 11th selection. Fortunately for the Steelers, when the Cleveland Browns overtook Roethlisberger and selected Kellen Winslow Jr, there were no draft teams in positions seven through ten that needed a quarterback upgrade at the time. Roethlisberger fell for the Steelers and became twice the Super Bowl champion.
Holding almost all franchise records when it comes to the position of defender, Roethlisberger appears to be destined for Canton once he finishes his NFL career. Starting 15 games for the Steelers in 2020, Roethlisberger has yet to make a decision on his player status for the 2021 NFL season.
Ricardo Colclough
Defensive back, Tusculum
2nd round
Choose 38
As much as the choice of the Steelers’ first round was a home run, the Steelers did not have the same success in the second round. Swapping six spots with the Indianapolis Colts and giving up his choice in the fourth round, the Steelers called up Ricardo Colclough of Tusculum. In the place the Steelers vacated, the Colts ended up selecting Bob Sanders, who had an impressive career in the NFL. As for Colclough, he lasted four seasons with the Steelers, but has failed in the past two years. Although he played 16 games as a rookie, Colclough never started in any of the games of his career in Pittsburgh. In 2006 and 2007, Colclough appeared in just three games each season. With anything but impressive numbers, Colclough had a career interception in 2005 and 2.5 layoffs. Ending his career in Kansas City for two years in 2008 and 2009, Colclough made an even-game debut for the Chiefs before leaving the NFL.
Max Starks
Tackle, Florida
Round 3
Choose 75
The Steelers found gold in their selection for the third round of 2004 with Max Starks. Failing to start in his debut season, Starks began by hitting all 16 games of the Steelers 2005 campaign in the Super Bowl. Switching to the left tackle later in his career, Starks started 96 games for the Steelers in nine seasons, including starting all 16 games in his final year in 2012. After being part of three Super Bowl teams in Pittsburgh, Starks played two games for the St. Louis Rams in 2013, but only played a total of eight offensive snaps.
Nathaniel Adibi
Defensive End, Virginia Tech
Round 5
Choose 145
Failing to cast 53 Steelers in his debut season, Nathaniel Adibi was claimed by the Tennessee Titans after his release from the Steelers. Without spending much time in Tennessee, Adibi spent part of 2004 on the Jacksonville Jaguars training team. Caught by the Indianapolis Colts in the off-season, Adibi landed on the injured reserve during the training camp and was later released. Adibi never played a game in the NFL, although his younger brother Xavier spent five years in the league, from 2008 to 2012, with the Houston Texans, Minnesota Vikings and Tennessee Titans.
Bo Lacy
Tackle
Round 6
Choose 177
Steelers ‘second tackle in the 2004 draft, Bo Lacy did not make the 53-man squad, but was on the Steelers’ training squad in his debut season. Stolen by the Browns in late September, Lacy returned to the Steelers’ training team as soon as he was dismissed by Cleveland and never appeared in a game. Pursued again in December by the Chicago Bears, Lacey has yet to see the field in an NFL game and was dismissed by the Bears after her 2005 training camp. Lacy spent time training the Indianapolis Colts and Atlanta Falcons teams for the next two seasons, before failing to make a squad in 2007.
Matt Kranchick
Tight end, Penn St.
Round 6
Choose 194
In the draft pick acquired for the St. Louis Rams for Troy Edwards, the Steelers recruited tight end Matt Kranchick of Penn State. Kranchick appeared in two games in his debut season for the Steelers and also joined the team in 2005, where he started one of four games in which he appeared and had a 6-yard touchdown target. Kranchick did not last the season in Pittsburgh and was signed by the New York Giants in late 2005, where he served in two games. Kranchick was released by the Giants in the off-season and spent the 2006 training camp with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but did not make it to the 53-man squad. Kranchick was briefly hired by the New England Patriots in 2006 on the training team, which was his last stop in his NFL career.
Drew Caylor
Center, Stanford
Round 6
Choose 197
The third offensive striker chosen in the 2004 draft, Caylor was chosen as a long rather than a central snapper. Failing to join the team, Caylor was briefly hired by the New York Jets, but never appeared in an NFL game.
Eric Taylor
Defensive discharge, Memphis
Round 7
Choose 212
Injured on the training ground, Eric Taylor did not play with the Steelers in his debut season. Appearing in a game for the Minnesota Vikings in 2005, Taylor jumped between the Seattle Seahawks and the Tennessee Titans, never appearing on his 53 players. In 2008, Taylor joined the Canadian Football League, where he played until 2015 for Edmonton Eskimos, Toronto Argonauts and BC Lions.