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2012 NFL Mock Draft: SBNation Mock Draft Has Steelers Selecting Don'ta Hightower

The SBNation.com Mock Draft has the Pittsburgh Steelers selecting linebacker Don'ta Hightower from the Alabama Crimson Tide with the No. 24 overall draft pick. Behind the Steel Curtain says Hightower would be a great addition to the aging Pittsburgh linebacking corps.

James Farrior is old. Real old. It's a wonder the 36-year old quarterback of Dick LeBeau's defense has been able to play at as high a level as he has in recent years, but it's about time to pass the torch. Lawrence Timmons is quite the talent and still has room for considerable improvement, but I don't think too many fans are confident that he's best suited to be the play caller and extension of LeBeau that is expected of the position. Hightower, however, would be a great fit. He called the plays for Nick Saban's defense last season at Alabama. Though he may be somewhat inexperienced defending the pass in zone schemes, he takes fantastic angles to the ball, so I assume he'll be a quick learn and be ready to take over the reigns as a starter as early as the second part of the 2012 season.

Hightower seems likely to fit well in the Steelers' system. He could have a little difficulty in pass coverage at first, but with time, he could develop in that area.

For more on the Steelers, check out Behind The Steel Curtain. For more on the NFL Draft, there's Mocking The Draft. Here's SB Nation's latest mock draft.

Photographs by dizfunk used in background montage under Creative Commons. Thank you.