Steelers 2012 Draft

With the 2012 NFL Rookie Draft just a little bit over a week away, today I am going to look at all seven rounds of the Steelers upcoming draft.

The Needs


Inside Linebacker: In the offseason, the Steelers had to make some cuts to get under the salary cap. One of those cuts were veteran inside linebacker James Farrior. Right now the two starting inside linebackers are Lawrence Timmons and Larry Foote. Timmons is an integral part of the defense, but I am not comfortable having Foote starting long-term.

Offensive Line: The Steelers have spent just one first round pick on an offensive lineman over the years, and that was on center Maurkice Pouncey. I would be fine with an offensive lineman in the first round, but if they don't take one in the first I would like to see them take one in the second if available. They could use a guard and/or a tackle.

Cornerback: Over the offseason, the Steelers allowed William Gay to leave. They didn't really even show him any interest from the looks of it. Gay played very well last year and was a starter. Ike Taylor is obviously going to be one starting corner. At the moment the other starter corner looks like it will come from one of the following - Cortez Allen, Curtis Brown, Walter McFadden, Antonio Smith, or Keenan Lewis (who is a Restricted Free Agent at the moment).

Running Back: While not a huge need, I expect the Steelers to take a RB somewhere in the middle to late rounds. Rashard Mendenhall is likely going to start the season on the Physically Unable to Play (PUP) list due to tearing his ACL in the regular season finale against the Browns last season. So that makes our starting running back Isaac Redman (who is an Exclusive Right Free Agent). Behind him are a bunch of backs that have little to no NFL experience (Baron Batch, John Clay, Jonathon Dwyer, Will Johnson, Jamie McCoy, and Chad Spann). I expect most of those guys to either be cut or be placed on the practice squad. I wouldn't mind seeing the Steelers take a fast guy who would be a change-of-pace back to Redman's power running style.

Nose Tackle: It's looking like Casey Hampton might not be ready to start the season, and the NT position is the anchor of the Steelers 3-4 defensive scheme. Even if Hampton is ready for the start of the season, he's getting up there in age and won't be around much longer. The Steelers need to take a young NT who can learn from and eventually take over for Big Snack when he's gone. If Hampton can't start the season, it looks like Steve McClendon would play the NT position, but I wouldn't want him being Hampton's long-term replacement.

Possible NFL Draft Picks


Round One: Dont'a Hightower, ILB/Alabama - This would fill the immediate need for a starting ILB next to Lawrence Timmons. While he might not start right away, I think he would eventually replace Foote during the season.

Other Options: Cordy Glenn, OT-OG/Georgia; Stephon Gilmore, CB/South Carolina; Janoris Jenkins, CB/North Alabama; Kevin Zeitler, OG/Wisconsin; Peter Konz, OC-OG/Wisconsin

Round Two: Amini Silatolu, OG/Midwestern State - The Steelers need a guard with their two starting options looking like Ramon Foster and Doug Legursky at this moment. Silatolu would bring better depth to the line and compete for a starting guard spot right off the bat.

Round Three: Alameda Ta'amu, DT/Washington - I think Ta'amu would be the perfect fit here if he's available. I could also see the Steelers trading up in the round to get him. He's the big NT that is needed in the middle of the defensive line in the 3-4 that the Steelers run. The Steelers would have Hampton's successor and he would compete with McClendon to start at the beginning of the season of Hampton isn't able to.

Round Four: Leonard Johnson, CB/Iowa State - He probably wouldn't see a lot of playing time outside of special teams, but he'd be there to groom and for depth.

Round Five: B.J. Coleman, QB/UT-Chattanooga - The Steelers current backup quartervacks are Jerrod Johnson and Troy Smith. I see them taking Coleman and grooming him to become the #2 quarterback in a season or two.

Round Six: Ryan Miller, OG/Colorado - The offensive line needs help, so another interior offensive lineman for depth and to maybe one day even be a starter.

Round Seven: Frank Alexander, DE/Oklahoma - Can never have enough depth on the defensive line.

Round Seven (compensatory): Carson Wiggs, K/Purdue - Last year Shaun Suisham was a pretty iffy kicker. He misses some kicks that he damn sure should have made. Drafting Wiggs might not unseat Suisham, but he'd be given a chance to win the job in training camp.

Round Seven (compensatory): Adonis Thomas, RB/Toledo - This guy is a speed back who's shifty and a an great athlete. He's got excellent burst and can catch the ball out of the backfield.

Round Seven (compensatory): Neiko Thorpe, FS/Auburn - This guy is fast and is a very good athlete. He can tackle and he has good ball skills. Also, the last name doesn't hurt either. Can be an excellent special teamer.

Now don't hold me to these picks. The Steelers might trade a pick to move up in a round, trade a pick and move back in a round...trade a pick for a player already on a team. Maybe the guy won't be available when the Steelers pick. These are just my best guesses for the Steelers picks.