Behind The Steel Curtain’s epic seven-round 2012 NFL mock draft is back. We’ll skip the first round, where the Steelers take Alabama linebacker Dont’a Hightower (if Hightower is suddenly appearing as the Steelers’ pick in every mock draft there is, that’s because he makes a whole lot of sense) and head to Round 2, where they take Wisconsin offensive lineman Kevin Zeitler:
If the Steelers bypass taking an offensive lineman in the first round they simply have to here. If he’s available I’m sure that Zeitler is going to be a fan favorite among those in Steelers Nation. Not only would he fill the team’s biggest need but he’s also a powerful road grader who can start from day one.
As more mock drafts start to expand to include more than one round, expect to see Zeitler here, just as you’ll see lots of Hightower for the Steelers in Round 1. Zeitler is a good match of likely ability and positional need — guard is the Steelers’ biggest problem on the much-maligned offensive line.
In Round 3, the Steelers take a safety, LSU’s Brandon Taylor. In Round 4 it’s Appalachian State wideout Brian Quick, and then ASU cornerback Omar Bolden in Round 5. That leaves the Steelers waiting until Round 7 to pick a nose tackle (Marshall’s Delvin Johnson) and going with Steve McLendon at the position while Casey Hampton starts the season on the PUP list.
At this point, I’d be a little surprised to see the Steelers go through the entire draft without picking a running back, but who knows?
For more on the NFL Draft, check out Mocking The Draft.