SB Nation Pittsburgh - 2011 NFL Mock Draft: Do The Steelers Need Help In The Secondary?https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48827/pitt-fv.png2011-03-14T12:42:26-04:00http://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/rss/stream/17571302011-03-14T12:42:26-04:002011-03-14T12:42:26-04:002011 NFL Mock Draft: Will The Steelers Look For Help In The Secondary?
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<p>So the NFL has locked it's players, and the league is in a considerable state of flux. In this new world of uncertainty and doubt, the only thread of reality we can cling to is the NFL Draft. We're Leonardo DiCaprio in Inception, the NFL Draft is our little top thing. Except the NFL labor negotiations might be even more hard to follow than that movie was. So let's turn to the draft to make us feel better.</p>
<p>SB Nation just came out with their latest <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/2011-nfl-draft/2011/3/14/2046594/2011-nfl-mock-draft-lockout">2011 NFL Mock Draft</a>, and they have the Steelers looking for help in the secondary, and taking Texas defensive back Aaron Williams. Here is their rationale.</p>
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<p>Many are questioning whether Williams is a better fit at safety than corner, but he's the type of physical playmaker that is a perfect fit as a nickel corner - and eventual starter - for a Steelers team that lacks depth in the secondary.</p>
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<p>While his position is not known, we do know that Williams has the physical tools to be a playmaker in the NFL. If anyone who can find out how to utilize those talents, it's Dick LeBeau.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/pittsburgh-steelers/2011/3/14/2050018/2011-nfl-mock-draft-steelers-aaron-williams-texasJordan Ruby2011-03-07T13:05:16-05:002011-03-07T13:05:16-05:002011 NFL Mock Draft: Steelers Still Linked To Florida Guard Mike Pouncey
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<p>Maybe it's because Mock Draft writers like to weave a fancy little narrative when they are making their picks. Maybe it's because the Steelers have a reputation of just picking the guy that makes the most sense, and not getting caught up in potential and all that other rigmarole. But for whatever reason, we are seeing the Steelers pick Mike Pouncey from Florida more and more in Mocks around the Internet.</p>
<p>That includes the latest <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/2011-nfl-draft/2011/3/7/2032015/2011-nfl-mock-draft-first-round-cam-newton-picks">2011 NFL Mock Draft</a> at SB Nation. Here is their rationale.</p>
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<p>There are more talented prospects at bigger need positions that the Steelers could consider here. The NFL is about more than having talent, however; pairing Mike with twin brother Maurkice would create unparalleled chemistry along an offensive front that needs to improve.</p>
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<p>The Steelers need help at guard, and Pouncey would certainly provide that. And his chemistry with his twin brother would be excellent. It just makes sense. There is always a chance that a player falls to the Steelers that they can't pass up, or that they are in love with a player they fear they might not be able to get later in the Draft; but barring all of that, Pouncey makes a ton of sense. And that usually seems to be the MO when the Steelers draft.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/pittsburgh-steelers/2011/3/7/2035146/2011-nfl-mock-draft-steelers-still-linked-to-florida-guard-mikeJordan Ruby2011-03-02T11:35:44-05:002011-03-02T11:35:44-05:002011 NFL Mock Draft: Mike Pouncey To The Steelers, Blaine Gabbert First Overall
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<p>There are a few positions that have become very popular to give the Steelers in mock drafts around the Internet. Cornerback is one, and the other is offensive line. Of the offensive linemen that could be available towards the end of the first round, one name keeps popping up, and it is a familiar one for Steelers fans.</p>
<p>In the latest edition of their <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/2011-nfl-draft/2011/3/2/2023817/2011-nfl-mock-draft-blaine-gabbert-combine">2011 NFL Mock Draft</a>, SB Nation has the Steelers taking Mike Pouncey out of Florida, who perhaps is most famous for being Maurkice Pouncey's twin brother. Here is their rationale.</p>
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<p>This is a popular and easy pick to make for a very good reason: chemistry is an underrated factor in building offensive lines, and it's tough to beat twin brothers from a chemistry perspective. Pouncey may not be their top target, but he'd be a very wise pick.</p>
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<p>It would definitely be nice for the Steelers to be able to put the two Pouncey brothers together on the interior of the line and have those positions figured out for the next few years. Mike is not quite as talented as his brother, but he doesn't really need to be as good to play guard. And as they say, the chemistry between the two players might be more important than having a more talented player at guard next to Maurkice. If he is still on the board, Mike would be a good pick for the Steelers.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/pittsburgh-steelers/2011/3/2/2025026/2011-nfl-mock-draft-mike-pouncey-steelers-blaine-gabbertJordan Ruby2011-02-21T18:47:13-05:002011-02-21T18:47:13-05:002011 NFL Mock Draft: Would CB Jimmy Smith Be A Reach For Steelers?
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<p>Most fans and media members seem to be in agreement that the two biggest needs for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Pittsburgh Steelers</a> this offseason are at cornerback and along the offensive line. The debate heats up quite a bit between which is the more pressing priority, and how the Steelers should best go about improving both units. But for now at least, most believe the Steelers will use two of their first three picks on some combination of the two positions.</p>
<p>Behind the Steel Curtain, SB Nation’s Pittsburgh Steelers site, has published the first three rounds of its first full seven-round mock draft of the season. In Round 1, <a href="http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2011/2/20/2004827/2011-nfl-mock-draft-first-round-draft-pick-profiles" target="new"><span class="caps">BTSC</span> has the Steelers addressing the cornerback position by taking Jimmy Smith out of Colorado</a>.</p>
<p>Here was the reasoning:</p>
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<p>By now every Steelers fan knows their weaknesses and what the team needs to be focusing on come draft day. In the secondary the team needs to find a solid CB to play with <span>Ike Taylor</span>. And Taylor himself is on the wrong side of 30 and a free agent. <span>Bryant McFadden</span> has been very poor in coverage and has become injury prone. Willie Gay is barely serviceable as a nickel CB. Hopefully Crezdon Butler will make strides in his second year but that can’t be counted on.</p>
<p>On the defensive line age has become a very big concern. <span>Aaron Smith</span> has missed a significant portion of the season for the second time in 3 years. After a very slow start to his career <span>Ziggy Hood</span> has come on as of late. But with the run on 3-4 DE prospects there’s just no first round value left at the position. Also NT <span>Casey Hampton</span> will turn 34 by the start of the 2011 season.</p>
<p>The biggest issue by far is on the offensive line. Outside of rookie <span>Maurkice Pouncey</span>, every other position has been a struggle just about all year. Both starting OT’s are currently on I.R. as well. LT <span>Max Starks</span>, even when healthy, is only an above average option and would be better suited at RT. <span>Willie Colon</span> will be a free agent and has been looking to cash in. The most pressing issue has been at RG where we have seen a revolving door of players such as <span>Trai Essex</span>, <span>Ramon Foster</span>, and <span>Doug Legursky</span> unable to stabilize the position or capitalize which their chance to start. Unfortunately Mike Pouncey, who would be the best fit, has already been taken. Don’t be surprised to see the Steelers trade up for him. Of course we could go with local product Stefen Wisniewski who is probably a little better in run support but not quite as athletic.</p>
<p>Please note this pick was not made because of a knee-jerk reaction to the Super Bowl. I went with Jimmy Smith because he represents the best value for the selection and is a good fit for the Steelers defense. At 6’2", 205lbs he has solid size, is good in run support, but most importantly he’s phenomenal in coverage. He’s been rising on many peoples draft boards and depending on how he does at the combine, specifically on the 40 yard dash, he may go even higher than this.</p>
<p>So just to recap, the top targets for the Steelers in the first round of the 2011 draft will be (in no particular order) Wisconsin OT Gabe Carimi, Florida OG Mike Pouncey, <span class="caps">OSU</span> DE Cameron Heyward, Miami CB Brandon Harris, and Baylor NT Phil Taylor. And of course I’m not counting those players who the Steelers have no chance of getting such as Patrick Peterson, Prince Amukamara, and Cameron Jordan.</p>
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<p><a href="http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2011/2/21/2006265/2011-nfl-mock-draft-steelers-potential-draft-picks" target="new">In Round 2, <span class="caps">BTSC</span> selected Marcus Gilbert, OT, Florida</a>.</p>
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<p>With a CB taken in the first round this pick will come down to the highest rated offensive or defensive lineman. Gilbert is massive at 6’7", 330lbs., can play both RG and RT, and can probably start right away at Guard.</p>
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<p>And finally, <span class="caps">BTSC</span> pegged <a href="http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2011/2/21/2006596/behind-the-steel-curtain-late-february-2011-nfl-mock-draft-round-3-of" target="new">Stanford NT Sione Fua as the Steelers pick in Round 3</a>.</p>
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<p>Current Nose Tackle Casey Hampton will be 34 years old before the start of the 2011 season. Fua looked dominate all season at Stanford. He’s listed at 6’2", 307lbs, which is about the same size as current Defensive End Ziggy Hood, but looks much stouter.</p>
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https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/pittsburgh-steelers/2011/2/21/2006714/2011-nfl-mock-draft-steelers-jimmy-smith-marcus-gilbert-sione-fua-profileMichael Bean2011-02-17T13:16:20-05:002011-02-17T13:16:20-05:002011 NFL Mock Draft: Mel Kiper Has The Steelers Taking DE Cameron Hayward
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<p>For some reason, Mel Kiper is the authority on all things NFL Draft speculation. His career track record hasn't proven to be any more accurate than those of us without his great wealth of knowledge and resources, but he continues to be the man that everyone listens to. So when his latest mock draft comes out, it's big news; even if it will prove to be grossly inaccurate.</p>
<p>So with that in mind, let's see who Mel has the Steelers taking with the latest incarnation of his Mock Draft, <a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/draft2011/insider/news/story?page=KiperMockDraft2.0">now available at ESPN</a> (Insiders only). While many outlets have the Steelers looking for help in the defensive secondary, Mel thinks the Steelers will try to add beef up front with Ohio St. DE Cameron Heyward. here is his rationale.</p>
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<p>Pittsburgh needs help at a couple of positions on the defensive line, and that makes Heyward an ideal pick as a player who has shown a lot of versatility in his career in Columbus. With his size, Heyward fits well as a 3-4 defensive end in Dick LeBeau's scheme, and as an experienced player who is solid against both the run and pass, he could be called on early.</p>
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<p>This is the problem with Kiper's draft, and mock drafts in general. Heyward is a fantastic fit for the Steelers, and they would be wise to draft him if he is still on the board. But there is a very good chance, excellent in fact, that a team ahead of them decides to take him instead. This is among the lowest spots I have seen him taken in any mock draft, actually. So now if a team decides to pull the trigger on Heyward a few spots earlier, it makes two of his selections wrong.</p>
<p>Ahhhh, Mock Drafting, the most addictive exercise in futility the world has ever known.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/pittsburgh-steelers/2011/2/17/1999405/2011-nfl-mock-draft-steelers-mel-kiper-cameron-heywardJordan Ruby2011-02-14T11:51:23-05:002011-02-14T11:51:23-05:002011 NFL Mock Draft: Steelers Could Pick Cornerback, Offensive Lineman
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<p>SB Nation's latest <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2011/2/14/1991938/2011-nfl-mock-draft-combine-two-rounds">2011 NFL mock draft</a> is up, and this one is cool because it covers two rounds, rather than just one. The top ten, with Auburn's Nick Fairley, Alabama's Marcell Dareus, and LSU's Patrick Peterson at the top, don't contain any big surprises. Auburn quarterback Cam Newton goes to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Cardinals</a> with the fifth pick, which is higher than many mocks have had him, but that makes sense, given recent reports that many teams have Newton at the top of their draft boards. </p>
<p>Two local players turn up in the second round - Pitt's Jon Baldwin goes to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">Patriots</a> with the first pick of that round, and Penn State offensive lineman Stefen Wisniewski goes to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bigcatcountry.com/">Jaguars</a> in the middle of the round.</p>
<p>SB Nation has the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Steelers</a> picking Texas cornerback Aaron Williams in the first round and Arkansas offensive lineman DeMarcus Love in the second. These picks would make a lot of sense - they need cornerback depth badly, and if they pick someone like Williams in the first round, they can gamble that one of the better offensive linemen falls to them in the second. Love is a very good pick for value late in the second round.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/2011/2/14/2329775/2011-nfl-mock-draft-steelers-could-pick-cornerback-offensive-linemanCharlie Wilmoth