It’s been a long and discussion-filled offseason to date. With no free agency to keep NFL fans preoccupied, it’s been all NFL Draft talk, all the time. With the first round beginning on Thursday night, SB Nation squeezed in one final mock draft of the season. The latest version includes a few trades in the first round, a nice twist since there will almost assuredly be some wheeling and dealing by teams in the first 32 picks.
Here’s who the folks at SB Nation selected for the Steelers:
31. Pittsburgh Steelers: Aaron Williams, CB, Texas. Rather than reaching on an offensive lineman, it makes more sense for the Steelers to target Williams – a physical, ball-hawking playmaker for their secondary.
I can guarantee you this — plenty of folks in Steeler Nation won’t be pleased if the Steelers select Williams in round one. Many believe he lacks the top shelf speed the Steelers need in a new CB acquisition. Others, though, think Williams would be a great selection and a realistic scenario at pick No. 31.
There have been recent reports that the demand for free agent Ike Taylor is sky high around the league. The Steelers have to be accounting for the possibility of his departure when free agency finally does open up again. So most agree that landing a CB, or maybe even two, is a necessity in this year’s draft. However, it’s Ras-I Dowling, not Williams, that most are hoping for, and the speculation has been that the Steelers could probably trade out of the first round to get an extra second round pick and still be able to land Dowling in the early to mid-second.
For more Steelers draft analysis and mock draft discussion during the final few days before the draft, be sure to check out Behind the Steel Curtain and SB Nation’s Mocking the Draft.