The 2012 NFL mock draft at Draft Countdown has one local college player going in the first round, and it’s Penn State’s Devon Still, who heads to the Denver Broncos at No. 24.
With the Steelers at No. 31, Draft Countdown goes with Wisconsin guard Kevin Zeitler, while also noting that the Steelers will also need to replace James Farrior at inside linebacker, and could use a nose tackle or safety as well. Draft Countdown also notes that since the Steelers don’t typically draft primarily for need, actually predicting what they’re going to do is pretty difficult. That pretty much sums it up. (There are a couple curious picks elsewhere in the draft, like Vontaze Burfict all the way up at No. 6, but the description of the Steelers’ situation is accurate.) It’s not hard to guess that Andrew Luck might be the first overall pick, but guessing what the Steelers will do at the end of the first round is pretty darn difficult. For now, Zeitler is just a placeholder.
For more on the Steelers, be sure to check out Behind The Steel Curtain.