A recent 2011 NFL Mock Draft by CBSSports.com’s Chad Reuter has Cam Newton, Marcell Dareus and Blaine Gabbert going with the first three picks, as has been the norm in many mock drafts recently. Mike Pouncey goes with the No. 21 overall pick to the Indianapolis Colts, and Pitt DE Jabaal Sheard goes to the Jets at No. 30.
Reuter has the Steelers picking TCU offensive lineman Marcus Cannon at No. 31 overall. This is the first time I’ve heard of Cannon going in the first round, and most mocks project him to be a second-rounder. Reuter has Baylor NT Phil Taylor going at No. 34 to the Bills, and it seems unlikely the Steelers would pass on Taylor in order to pick Cannon, since they had Taylor in for a pre-draft visit.
Reuter has Pitt’s Jon Baldwin going at No. 49 overall. With the Steelers’ next pick, he has them taking Utah corner Brandon Burton. Burton represents a decent value for that pick, and if the Steelers do indeed go with an offensive lineman or defender in round one, they could go with a corner in round two. (Reuter has Virginia cornerback Ras-I Dowling, another player who keeps coming up in connection with the Steelers, going to the Cowboys at No. 40 overall.)