Steelers Depot’s latest 2012 NFL mock draft only contains the Steelers’ picks, but it’s worth checking out. It has the Steelers taking Stanford offensive lineman Jonathan Martin at No. 24. That’s the first time I’ve seen Martin fall that far in a mock draft, but after Martin’s disappointing pro day a few weeks ago, it might not be the last. (Martin did not participate in drills in the NFL combine.)
Advertised as a top-notch athlete, the First Team All-Pac 12 left tackle was timed at 5.33 seconds in his first attempt at the 40-yard dash. Worse, this attempt was aided by the wind. Martin came in at 5.43 seconds, according to scouts, on his second attempt against the wind. Perhaps more alarming was that the 6-5, 307-pound Martin lifted the bar only 20 times during the bench press and wasn’t as fluid or explosive as DeCastro during position drills.
After that for the Steelers comes Miami (Ohio) guard Brandon Brooks, Alabama nose tackle Josh Chapman, and Nevada inside linebacker James Michael Johnson. Cincinnati DT/DE Derek Wolfe, who recently had a pre-draft visit with the Steelers, goes to them in Round 5.
For more on the Steelers, check out Behind The Steel Curtain. For more on the NFL Draft, there’s Mocking The Draft.