Thursday night is the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft, one of the most exciting times in the offseason for the National Football League.
The Steelers biggest needs in this draft are: outside linebacker, wide receiver, cornerback, safety, and quarterback.
SteelerS GM Kevin Colbert says that the Steelers are looking at this draft like they do any other draft. They don't expect any rookies to come in and make a huge impact right away. That doesn't mean it can't or won't happen, just that it isn't expected. And don't expect a trade up, Colbert isn't looking to do it.
So here it is, my seven-round Steelers mock draft!
1st round, 17th overall
Bjoern Werner, DE-OLB/Florida State - The Steelers cut former Defensive Player of the Year James Harrison this offseason after he refused to take a pay cut. I don't think that they are comfortable going into the season with Jason Worilds as their main option at rush outside linebacker. Werner is a player who can possibly start right away of Worilds is his main competition for the position. The only way Worilds can keep the starting job is to show what he has yet to show, an uncanny ability to get to the quarterback. If he's not getting it done, Werner will get a chance to play, much like LaMarr Woodley in his rookie season.
2nd Round, 16th pick, 48th overall
Justin Hunter, WR/Tennessee - The Steelers lost wide receiver Mike Wallace in free agency, and honestly I don't think they wanted him back. The Steelers have had luck with receivers outside of the first round in recent years with Wallace, Antonio Brown, and Emmanuel Sanders. Hunter has blazing speed, running a 4.44 second 40-yard dash while considered still not 100% from a knee injury. If he's still available when the Steelers pick in the second round, expect them to take Hunter to bring even more speed to the offense.
3rd Round, 17th pick, 79th overall
Phillip Thomas, S/Fresno State - Troy Polamalu can't keep healthy for a full season and Ryan Clark is in his 30's and entering the final year of his contract. The Steelers need to get younger at the safety position and giving Thomas a year to sit behind and learn from two of the best in the league is a very good idea for the Steelers.
4th Round, 18th pick, 115h overall
A.J. Klein, ILB/Iowa State - The Steelers are in need for help and depth at inside linebacker. They resigned Larry Foote to a deal that is very cap friendly, but he's aging and many believe he's a borderline starter. Sean Spence suffered a horrible knee injury and may never be the same again, some believe he may never play again. Stevenson Sylvester has never really been given the chance to start, but if the Steelers felt he was the future at ILB next to Lawrence Timmons, they likely wouldn't have resigned Foote. Klein had a very productive career at Iowa State and would be an excellent pick here for the Steelers if available/
5th round, 17th pick, 150th overall
Zac Dysert, QB/Miami (OH) - In 2004, the Steelers selected a quarterback out of small MAC school Miami of Ohio, Ben Roethlisberger. He's won two Super Bowls and is considered by many to be a future Hall of Fame quarterback. Can lightning strike twice? The Steelers have the often injured Roethlisberger as the starter, as it should be. The Steelers don't have much behind him, so taking the accurate Dysert would make sense here to groom as the immediate backup and possibly the eventual replacement when Roethlisberger eventually retires.
6th Round, 18th pick, 186th overall
Johnny Adams, CB/Michigan State - The Steelers lost Keenan Lewis to the Saints in free agency. They could very well take Adams who is fast but needs to develop and see what they can get out of him. At worst, they have a guy who can play special teams
6th Round, 38th pick, 206th overall
Brandon Moore, DT/Texas - The Steelers need more depth on the defensive line. He could play nose tackle and backup Steve McLendon. The Steelers cut Ta'amu and it looks like they won't be resigning Casey Hampton. There's very little depth at this position and this will be McLendon's first chance to get significant playing time. Moore could also double as depth to the defensive end position.
7th round, 17th pick, 223rd overall
Onterio McCalebb, RB/Auburn - The Steelers still aren't quite sure what they have at running back. Dwyer, Redman, and Batch all have their qualities...and they all put the ball on the ground in a game against the Browns last season. Pittsburgh let former first round pick Rashard Mendenhall walk as a free agent and cut Chris Rainey after a domestic violence incident. McCalebb is a very fast but undersized back, much like Rainey. At worst, he brings depth to the kick and punt return units.
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