The NFL Regular Season is officially in the books and we can start looking ahead to the Playoffs. But after the Playoffs, however they may go, is the 2012 NFL Draft, a time for supreme optimism and hope. The Pittsburgh Steelers figure to be drafting towards the back of the first round again (a good problem to have) but they can still add a playmaker. SB Nation just came out with their first edition of their 2012 NFL Mock Draft for the offseason, and they have the Steelers taking Florida State offensive lineman Zebrie Sanders. Here is his rationale.
Ben Roethlisberger was among the most sacked quarterbacks in the NFL this year. Pittsburgh did a fine job repairing the outside of their line with patches. Sanders gives them a big upgrade along the edge of the line.
The Steelers need to replace some of those patchwork players with some long-term solutions, and Sanders might be a good option for them if they choose to pursue an offensive lineman.
For more on the Pittsburgh Steelers, visit SB Nation's Steelers blog Behind The Steel Curtain. For more in the 2012 NFL Draft, visit Mocking The Draft.