Steelers

2013 NFL Mock Draft: Steelers projected to take a safety

The Steelers have some holes in the defensive front seven, but are projected to take a safety in one of the latest mock drafts.

By Mark Sandritter Apr 4, 2013, 8:00am EDT

Kenny Vaccaro is the top safety in the 2013 NFL Draft and could soon be a Pittsburgh Steeler, according to one of the latest mock drafts.

More: Mocking the Draft Kenny Vaccaro scouting report Behind the Steel Curtain

The Steelers are projected to take the senior safety from Texas with the 17th pick in the latest mock draft from Don Banks of Sports Illustrated. Adding a player along the defensive line or at linebacker may be a bigger priority for Pittsburgh, but in Banks' mock draft the top 3-4 defensive targets are off the board. That leaves Vaccaro as the best player available.

With Ryan Clark and Troy Polamalu already in the fold, Vaccaro likely wouldn't start as a rookie in Pittsburgh. He would, however, contribute and provide a much needed successor at safety as Clark and Polamalu enter the latter stages of their careers.

Vaccaro isn't the only option, however, as SB Nation's Dan Kadar projected Pittsburgh to select wide receiver Tavon Austin in his latest mock draft. The 5'9 wide receiver from West Virginia is one of the most explosive athletes in the draft. He could slide into the role Mike Wallace vacated when he signed with Miami, and would give Ben Roethlisberger another dangerous target.