Pittsburgh Steelers Mock Draft Round Up

Posted on March 16, 2011 by adam

Leading up to April’s draft we’ll take an occasional look around the web and update you on a list of mock drafts and which players people have going to the Steelers. This is the first such update. We’re searching the Internet so you don’t have to…

Pittsburgh Steelers Mock Draft Round Up
Site Pick School (Pos.)
Mel Kiper Danny Watkins Baylor (Guard)
CBS Derek Sherrod Mississippi State (Tackle)
Sports Illustrated Aaron Williams Texas (Cornerback)
Mocking The Draft Martez Wilson Illinois (Linebacker)
Draft Countdown Mike Pouncey Florida (Guard)
Walter Football Martez Wilson Illinois (Linebacker)
NFL Draftdog Muhammed Wilkerson Temple (Defensive Tackle)
MyNFLDraft Benjamin Ijalana Villanova (Tackle)
DraftKing Brandon Harris Miami (Cornerback)
Football’sFuture Brandon Harris Miami (Cornerback)
Shutdown Corner Aaron Williams Texas (Cornerback)
NewNFLDraft Gabe Carimi Wisconsin (Tackle)

To the surprise of no one cornerbacks and offensive line are the consensus pick, with a defensive tackle and linebacker thrown in. And I don’t hate either of those positions. The Steelers are getting long in the tooth on defense, and as good as James Farrior has been on and off the field for the franchise, he is closer to the end of his playing career than he is the beginning. He rebounded nicely in 2010 from what was a down 2009, but he’s still going to be one of the oldest starting middle linebackers in the NFL in 2011. Wilson seems to be the type of athlete the Steelers like, even if he is a bit older (23) than most of their recent top picks. Still, at least he’s not 26 like Kiper’s guy is. Many players hit free agency at 26. Not the draft.

It’s a similar story on the defensive line in terms of age. With the exception of Ziggy Hood and Steve McClendon, everybody manning that position is north of 30 with some of them having durability concerns moving forward. These aren’t positions of immediate need as far as starters are concerned in 2011, but the only positions the Steelers could probably plug in a rookie starter as of this moment are cornerback (depending on what happens with Ike Taylor and William Gay in free agency) and right guard. Given how late right guards seem to be found in the draft across the league, it doesn’t appear to be a position that is in dire need of a first-round selection, unless you absolutely want the Pouncey brothers to be reunited.

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Steelers Lounge Steelers Mock Draft, Version 1
Steelers Lounge Steelers Mock Draft, Version 2
Steelers Lounge Steelers Mock Draft, Version 3
Steelers Lounge Steelers Mock Draft, Version 4
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Related posts:

  1. 2011 Pittsburgh Steelers Mock Draft V. 1.0
  2. 2011 Pittsburgh Steelers Mock Draft Version 3.0
  3. 2011 Pittsburgh Steelers Mock Draft Versions 2a, 2b and 2c
  4. Steelers Post-Combine, Pre-Lockout/CBA Draft Musings and Mini-Mock
  5. Taking a Closer Look at Kevin Colbert’s 4th-Round Draft Haul Since 2000
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  • Anonymous

    Of the mocked players, I would most like to have Carimi.

    • Randy Steele

      A week or two ago I would have said the same thing. But now I think that if Gabe Carimi falls to 1.31, there has to be a good reason. Caveat Emptor.

      • Anonymous

        That’s true of any player. If Bob Foobar is drafted at 31, there’s a reason. A guy rising in the board vs falling doesn’t make much difference. He is where he is based on the sum total of the information available.

  • http://www.google.com/profiles/100857546184516732260 Dr Obvious

    I would be shocked if Sherrod lasts till 31. In a class full of tackles that each have major flaws, his is “lower ceiling” and I don’t see Indy or NO passing him up.

  • Trav0810

    I like Pouncey in this draft. If he exhibits the same leadership and work ethic of his brother, he would be a welcome addition.

    • RoB D

      I mentally checked out of the idea of him being there for use when Mayock rated him as the no. 1 guard prospect in the draft. I think he’s a good prospect but I don’t think he’s anywhere near his brother in talent.

  • http://www.steelerslounge.com/ ryan

    I should add this to the table above for sheer comedy value, but I’ll just post it in the comments.

    Bleacher Report, everybody!

    And only slightly less ridiculous: Todd McShay.

  • Grw1960

    Where to start? All are possibilities. However.
    Williams is a question mark and the Steelers would have to consider if can he play CB or can he someday be a starting safety.
    Carimi, Pouncey, Watkins and Ijalana all could start some where on the OL in their first season.But are Watkins and Ijalana really good value at the end of round one.
    Same can be said for Wilkerson. Is he really that much better. Than say DT Jarvis Jenkins in round 2 or 3.
    Sherrod is a question also. Does not seem to have any position Flexibility. So the Steelers would really have to be sure he could be a starting tackle by his 2nd season.
    Harris and Wilson very possible.
    Plus I wouldn’t rule out the # 1 TE or WR. The Steelers need a big body type receiver with intangibles to improve in the red zone.

  • ecks

    does anybody know where Dion Lewis is predicted to go? would the steelers pick him up for depth/all purpose-ness and ditch the jonathan dwyer experiment?

    • Gretz

      I’d guess probably anywhere between the 2nd and 4th rounds for Lewis.

    • DC in ATL

      Why would the Steelers give up on Dwyer? He’s only 21 and they kept a roster spot for him all year rather than risk losing him off the practice squad. I thought he looked fine in his limited opportunities.