Rob Rang’s new NFL Mock Draft has Cam Newton going first overall to the Carolina Panthers, followed by Marcell Dareus, Von Miller and A.J. Green. Blaine Gabbert falls to the Cardinals at No. 5. At No. 31, he has the Steelers taking Texas corner Aaron Williams:
The Steelers’ secondary let them down in the Super Bowl and their top cornerback — Ike Taylor — is scheduled for free agency. Whether he remains on the team or not, Pittsburgh will almost surely address their defensive backfield on draft day. Some teams believe Williams can remain at cornerback. Others see his best fit at free safety. Both are concerns for the Steelers, making Williams a logical candidate at this spot.
Williams typically turns up at the end of the first round or the beginning of the second in mock drafts, and the Steelers do need a cornerback.
Moving into the second round, Rang has Pitt’s Jabaal Sheard going to the Broncos at No. 36 overall, and Jon Baldwin going to the Raiders at No. 48. Virginia corner Ras-I Dowling, in whom the Steelers are known to be interested, goes to the Eagles at No. 54. With the No. 63 overall pick, Rang has the Steelers taking Hampton DT Kenrick Ellis, which makes sense – the Steelers have had him in for a pre-draft visit already.