Pittsburgh Steelers 2012 Mock Draft: 7-Round Predictions

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In case you missed my original four-mock mock mraft, here is another chance to get my opinion of what the Steelers are going to do when they select the new group of Steelers starting April 26th.

Unlike that one, where I gave four different scenarios, in real life, there is only one chance in each round. So instead of four, here is one complete one.

In this mock, I have addressed the Mike Wallace situation, with him leaving via free agency. Yes, that may be painful for Steelers Nation to swallow, but the reality is, he may be gone.

Why not address that in this mock, if for nothing else but to make it more interesting.

Round 1, Pick 24: Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

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The Pittsburgh Steelers need to address both of their lines during the 2012 draft. If they can get a quality starter to play opposite of newly promoted Marcus Gilbert, they need to jump on it with both feet.

Adams would be able to keep the Steelers from forcing Willie Colon into playing tackle, and can move him back to his original position of guard. This selection would solidify two different positions and fix one of the biggest weaknesses on the Steelers: guard.

Round 1, Pick 30: Dontari Poe, NT, Memphis

When the San Francisco 49ers (who I think are going to sign Wallace) give up their first-round pick, the Steelers will be able to address their second-biggest area of need, defensive line.

With Casey Hampton suffering from ACL injury and no one on the roster able to replace him, the Steelers are going to have to do in 2012 what they did in 2001: spend a first-round pick on a NT.

Poe is a mountain of a man, standing over 6'5" and weighing 350 lbs. Poe could be the anchor of our new youthful defensive line for the next decade. Though 6'5" is big for a NT, when you weigh 350 lbs, you can probably hold your own on the line.

By drafting Poe, the Steelers greatly reduce their need on the defensive line. Barring injury, they will probably not need to select the defensive line for years to come early in the draft.

Round 2: Kelechi Osemele, OG, Iowa State

As stated in the first slide, the Steelers will again address their biggest area of need, the guard position. With the first-round selection of Mike Adams, the Steelers have the ability to move Willie Colon back to guard.

In drafting another guard, the Steelers will be able to solidify their offensive line for the first time since injury and salary forced the Steelers to lose Marvell Smith, Alan Faneca and Jeff Hartings.

Round 3: George Iloka, FS, Boise State

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The Steelers have an amazing way of finding replacements for players BEFORE it becomes necessary for them.

Ryan Clark and Troy Polamalu are both on the wrong side of 30, and capable replacements are eventually going to have to be found.

Ryan Mundy is a good backup and could eventually be a solid starter, but to have replacements for both would be a great start.

Round 4: Isaiah Pead, RB, Cincinnati

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Though a lot of people don't think the Steelers even need to address the running back position, the injury to Rashard Mendenhall may force the hand of the Steelers here.

Pead is a running back unlike the others on the roster, as he is more of a speed back than a power runner.

Baron Batch would have been a consideration here, but coming off a torn ACL himself, it may take longer than people hope to get him back to full speed.

Round 5: Jerry Franklin, ILB, Arkansas

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Though Stevenson Sylvester has the potential to be the starting replacement for James Farrior if/when he is released, there is still a need for young depth. Franklin had an impressive career for the Razorbacks, and he could end up in black and gold.

Though some people may think this is WAY too late for the Steelers to select the ILB position, I believe that the need is a lot less than with other people.

I do think the Steelers will address the position, but not as early as others think.

Round 6: Gerell Robinson, WR, Arizona State

As stated before, Todd Haley and Ben Roethlisberger both like big receivers, and Robinson could become that next person for the Steelers.

Though he is a project and has work to do to make it in the NFL, the Steelers just may take a chance on him, especially since Mike Wallace will now be playing somewhere else.