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New 2011 NFL Mock Draft Has Steelers Picking Ben Ijalana

A new Sports Illustrated mock draft is the latest to project that the Steelers will pick Villanova offensive lineman Ben Ijalana. Ilajana rarely pops up in the first round of mock drafts, but whenever he does, it seems like he's going to the Steelers with pick No. 31.

We mockers have the Steelers all over the map, but offensive line and cornerback are the obvious areas of need. Texas cornerback Aaron Williams may wind up playing safety in the NFL at some point, so the value for Pittsburgh at No. 31 seems to be at offensive line. Just a hunch, but Ijalana looks like the next best tackle prospect after [Mississippi State's Derek] Sherrod comes off the board.

SI has Blaine Gabbert going to the Carolina Panthers at No. 1 overall, followed by Marcell Dareus, Cam Newton and A.J. Green. Mike Pouncey goes to the Eagles at No. 23, and in a new development, this draft has TCU quarterback Andy Dalton going to the Seahawks at No. 25. Baylor nose tackle Phil Taylor, who apparently is making a pre-draft visit to Pittsburgh, goes to the Jets at No. 30 overall.

Photographs by dizfunk used in background montage under Creative Commons. Thank you.