Sure, the hurt of Super Bowl XLV is still going to linger for sometime, but at the end of the day, the Steelers are going to move on, as should we all as fans.
The NFL Draft is very much already on the radar of people, and here at the Sports Gab Network, our crack staff is already throwing out their predictions of who is going to go where.
Two of our writers have a mock draft up, Rajan Nanavati, our RedskinsGab editor, and Adam Warwas, our VikingsGab editor. Here’s a link to the RedskinsGab mock, and here’s a link to the VikingsGab mock.
To make things easier, here’s Rajan’s pick for the Steelers at #31:
31. Pittsburgh Steelers – Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State
The Steelers had four different players starting on their offensive line in the Super Bowl who weren’t their opening day starters, a trend that seems to happen every year for them. Sherrod is someone they can groom into a starting position. He has the physical tools to be an effective starter and is better in the run game, but still has room to develop.
And here’s Adam’s Pick for the Steelers at #31:
31. Pittsburgh – Mike Pouncey, G, Florida
Is it fair that the Steelers get both Pouncey brothers? I don’t know. What I do know is that they have been rebuilding their offensive line for years now and the only real good thing to come out of that has been one Pouncey. So why not add another? He fits well.
So while it’s early, anyone on your list? We will have some scouting reports this week provided by our draft expert, and start looking at players that could be on the Steelers list as we get closer to draft day.
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DrGeorge
February 12, 2011 at 1:23 pm
So much depends on the fate of Woodley, Colon and Taylor and the success the Steelers have in signing free agents before the draft. Depending on the CBA, some players may be forced to remain with their present teams through 2012, which would shrink the FA market. But the Rooneys aren’t going to pay big bucks for Osamugha or any other high-profile free agent anyway.
With those disclaimers, the two picks above are both reasonable choices for an O-line pick, given a draft number this low. I’ve been lobbying for a quality OT for four years, and we missed the boat last year on several good ones. This year’s crop of OTs is not as deep, and there is unlikely to be a quality OT left at #31. If Starks and Colon both return, picking Pouncey at OG makes sense, if he’s still around, which I doubt. Sherrod is talented, but a project.
For those reasons, I wouldn’t be surprised with a defensive pick — DE or CB or S — in the first round. We need to improve our pass rush and add speed to the secondary. Defense wins games. I would use Round # 1 on the defense this year if we can’t trade up and get a starting Left Tackle. We have needs at all these positions. The pick at #31 is essentially no better than a Round #2 pick; it all depends on who is available when we go on the clock.
NOTE: QB is not going to be a draft priority in itself, but we are going to need a reliable 3rd QB, given Batch’s age, Ben’s wear and tear, and Dixon’s fragility. It is possible neither Batch nor Dixon will return. If we can’t find a reliable veteran, we may have to use a mid-round draft pick to fill the position.