2011 NFL Mock Draft: Pittsburgh Steelers

A double doozy of team mock drafts today as we took a look at the Rams earlier today. Even though everyone out there is watching the NCAA Tournament. Here at nflmocks we don’t ever sleep on the draft.

The latest installment of our team mock draft comes from a guest writer: Perry Biggerstaff, who you can find over at steelersuniverse.com, a Pittsburgh Steelers fan forum.

Let’s first dissect the Steelers Needs for the off-season (from me, the mock is from Perry)

OL-I think the need for OL is a bit overrated. Yes it’s a need, but it’s not a dire need. The Steelers Oline is ok, it’s not the worst in the league (I’d point towards the Cardinals or Buffalo Bills as teams that jump immediately to mind). Big Ben, despite how good he is at least half the reason the team has so many sacks, he’s still very good though. Some guy s take sacks (Big Ben, Aaron Rodgers), some guys throw it up for grabs (both Manning’s, a lot of young quarterbacks). Guys like the Manning brothers make their OL sack numbers look great, even if the play isn’t, Big Ben and players of that ilk can make lines look worse.

RB –Menenhall is very good, but the running backs behind him don’t impress me at all. I think the Steelers should consider a mid-round running back if a good one is available.

DL –Not a starter, but depth. They are getting a little long in the tooth on the defensive line, despite being talented and despite drafting Ziggy Hood recently.

DB-I believe, depending on what happens with the C.B.A., Ike Taylor will enter free agency. And even if he doesn’t the Steelers could use another cornerback. I also think that the Steelers could use an upgrade to Ryan Clark and depth at Safety overall. Polamalu is smaller physical player, yes, he’s great, but susceptible to injuries. If a player like Rahim Moore or DeAndre McDaniel is available in the 3rd round they should consider snagging him.

Kicker-I don’t know what happened with Shaun Suisham last year, but that’s not the guy who was kicking with the Redskins. That guy on the Steelers looked like a dependable kicker. I’d be worried that doesn’t last, based on his history it won’t.

1) OT Derek Sherrod– Pittsburgh showed their lack of depth at the tackle position while making their playoff run to the Super Bowl. Granted, LT Max Starks and RT Willie Colon might be back, but the Steelers need a young OT who can immediately provide depth and upgrade their pass protection.

2) CB Ras-I Dowling – Personally I think Dowling could be a steal at the back end of the second round. He has great size and speed and would be an instant starter on the other side of Ike Taylor

3) NT Jerrell Powe– Future replacement for NT Casey Hampton. The Steelers will have to be convinced that Powe has matured and if so, they will have a huge future specimen in the middle of their defensive line.

4) OG John Moffitt -RG was a problem area for Pittsburgh last year and Moffitt is already better than any of the backups that rotated through the position last year.

5) DE Cedric Thornton– Small school DT who would play DE in a 3-4 defense. Thornton was invited to the Senior Bowl and proved to scouts that he belonged there. This would be a perfect situation for Thornton who would play behind aging and oft injured DE Aaron Smith.

6) TE Lee Smith – An upgrade over TE Matt Spaeth needs to be found. Lee Smith is a much better blocker than Spaeth and has softer hands then he is given credit for.

7) Kicker Josh Jasper – The Steelers released long time kicker Jeff Reed last year and were pleased by the performance of his replacement, Shaun Suisham. That being said, the Steelers still need to find a kicker who can consistently make a field goal over 40 yards.

My thoughts, Perry did a nice job. I like a lot of the players drafted here. Powe is very talented and could be a steal. I really like Ras-I-Dowling as well. Derrick Sherrod is the most verstaile OT in this draft class and a good pick up at the end of the first round.

Cedric Thornton is a player to watch out for, he’s a very under-the-radar prospect at the moment but could surprise people with where he’s drafted during the season.

Your guys thoughts?

If you have a team mock draft of your favorite team, or a full 1st round mock, you want people to see email to me at bartolisj@gmail.com and I’ll post it up for thousands of readers to see. We’re also always looking to add more writers who love the draft (or fantasy sports we want to add a fantasy sports writer as well).

Have a nice day, everyone.

Home/NFL Draft