2011 NFL Mock Draft: Todd McShay Has Pittsburgh Steelers Taking Brandon Harris

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Todd McShay's 2011 NFL Mock Draft Claims the Steelers Will Shore Up Secondary

The numbers suggest that the Pittsburgh Steelers were the best defensive team in the NFL last season. They allowed a league-low 14.5 points per game, and they had the best rush defense in the league. They also posted a league-high 48 sacks.

However, the Steelers do have some weaknesses in their secondary, and every indication is that they will use the No. 31 pick on a cornerback. If you were to ask ESPN's Todd McShay, Miami's Brandon Harris is a possibility. He has the Steelers taking him in his most recent 2011 NFL Mock Draft (can only be accessed with ESPN Insider).

McShay realizes that the 5'9" Harris may seem like an odd choice for the Steelers, but he thinks it's a fit:

Harris is not an elite playmaker but he's more physical than his size suggests and has the athleticism to help upgrade the cornerback unit and push for the No. 2 job.

MUST READ: 2011 NFL Mock Draft: Mocking the Complete First Round with Teams' Needs 4.0

Harris is pretty thick for a small guy (190 pounds), and he does have the kind of top-end speed you look for in a shutdown corner. If he is as physical as McShay thinks he is, he should fit in just fine with the Steelers.

The other option here would be Texas' Aaron Williams, who the Steelers have checked out. He's taller and thicker than Harris, and is supposed to be useful in run support.

Grade: B

My Pick: Aaron Williams

It sounds like it's a toss-up between Harris and Williams. I just have a hard time seeing the Steelers picking a 5'9" guy who is "more physical than his size suggests." He might be physical for the ACC, but the NFL is another story.

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