The 2012 NFL Draft officially wrapped on Saturday, with teams using three days and seven rounds to bolster their squads for the upcoming season. The Pittsburgh Steelers added nine players in the draft, most notably Stanford guard David DeCastro, who fell into Pittsburgh's lap as the No. 24 pick.
Now comes the time for instant (over)analysis by pundits. First up to bat, ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper, who gave the Steelers an overall grade of "B" for this year's draft.
Summary: Pittsburgh got one of the total steals of the draft when Stanford guard David DeCastro fell all the way to No. 24. Just think about the inside of that offensive line now with DeCastro next to Maurkice Pouncey. It could be a dominant unit. We know Mike Adams has some off-the-field questions, but Mike Tomlin explained to us that the team took major precautions. If it was just a talent question, you're getting a really good player that far down the board, though I'm not sure he has an immediate role. If Marcus Gilbert ultimately moves to the left side, Adams could start early on the right side. He's not a power guy, but has great technique as a pass protector. Sean Spence is a guy Dick LeBeau can develop. He's too big for safety, and can add speed at linebacker. Chris Rainey could be a steal just because he'll get you big plays at running back, with not a ton of reps. He could also be a returner. Ta'amu isn't a special talent, but if he sticks can fill a special role. True 3-4 nose tackles are hard to find. This was a fantastic draft in my opinion.
The Steelers, as they often do, effectively filled roster holes that needed to be filled and added depth where necessary. I'm quite surprised Kiper didn't hand out a rare "A" in this case.
For more on the Pittsburgh Steelers, visit Behind the Steel Curtain. For all the latest NFL Draft news, visit Mocking the Draft.