One of the more popular names you will see projected to go to the Steelers in Mock Drafts across the Internet is Alabama inside linebacker Dont'a Hightower. Hightower could step in immediately and help fill in for the departed James Farrior, while solidifying the starting group of linebackers; an essential part of the defense that the Steelers want to run. There has been some concern that Hightower might not make it to No. 24 overall, but Mel Kiper actually sees it another way.
ESPN draft analyast Mel Kiper said on conference call that 'Bama LB Dont'a Hightower is a "borderline" first-round pick.
— Scott Brown (@ScottBrown_Trib) April 18, 2012
Borderline first-round pick means that Hightower should probably be available when the Steelers pick. But we all know how unpredictable the first round of the draft can be, especially towards the back end, where teams start to get antsy.
Here is a little bit more information on Hightower, thanks to a draft preview from SB Nation.
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.