Pittsburgh Steelers: Realistic Expectations for Each Steelers Rookie

After losing the Super Bowl to the Green Bay Packers, the Pittsburgh Steelers were looking to address their needs in the NFL draft.

The Steelers were set to lose a few key players in free agency, and those holes would need to be filled immediately.

Cornerback was an obvious need among an otherwise strong defense, and the offensive line still needed to protect Ben Roethlisberger more efficiently.

The Steelers are a veteran loaded team and could use an infusion of youth at many different positions. Not as starters, but to learn the Steelers' defense and be ready in the future.

Here are the players picked by the Steelers and their expectations in 2011:

Cameron Heyward

In the first round, the Pittsburgh Steelers took Ohio State defensive end Cameron Heyward.

This decision went against the popular thought of the Steelers taking a cornerback or an offensive lineman in the first round.

Heyward is a consistent and rather safe pick for the Steelers. He will eventually become a consistent bookend for the Steel Curtain.

He is stout against the run because he uses his strength well at the point of attack. He is also a smart player who is a threat to disrupt the passing game.

In his rookie season, Heyward will rotate in at defensive end as the Steelers look to get younger on defense. Look for him to make steady progress as the year goes on and possibly be a Steelers starter in two years.

Marcus Gilbert

Marcus Gilbert was the Pittsburgh Steelers' pick in the second round. Offensive line was an immediate need for Kevin Colbert to address.

Gilbert is seen as a project coming out of college, but his size and athleticism make him an interesting player for the future.

He will not be a starter now or possibly for a few years, but he is expected to take over right tackle at some point.

Gilbert's athleticism makes him an interesting backup on the front line in his rookie season. He may not contribute in a big way on the field, but the things he will learn behind veteran Flozell Adams could prove invaluable as his career moves on.

Curtis Brown

Perhaps the Pittsburgh Steelers' most pressing need was at cornerback. In the third round, the Steelers addressed that need by selecting Curtis Brown.

Brown is a polished athlete, and is expected to compete for time from day one.

The possible departures of Ike Taylor and William Gay could decimate an already weak position on the Steelers' defense. Because of this, Brown will, at the very least, see time at nickel in the secondary.

He has decent ball skills and has the size needed to be physical with NFL wide receivers. He needs work before he is ready to take over on a full time basis, but given time, Brown could help the Steelers' secondary.

In his rookie year, Brown will be expected to take major steps both physically and mentally.

Cortez Allen

In the fourth round, the Pittsburgh Steelers once again addressed the cornerback position, this time with Cortez Allen being taken out of The Citadel.

Allen is a raw athlete and is not ready to play on defense for the Steelers. In the future, Allen could develop into a third or fourth corner, but he is a project.

In his rookie year, Allen could see time on coverage teams on special teams.

Because of the Steelers lacking depth at corner, a few injuries could put Allen in a position to play, but other than that, do not expect to see him in when it counts.

Chris Carter

The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Fresno State defensive end Chris Carter in the fifth round.

Carter was the 2010 WAC Defensive Player of the Year and was an excellent value pick by the Steelers' front office.

He is a bit one-dimensional, but Carter excels at getting to the quarterback. He has an array of moves to get to the passer, and he is athletic enough to get around the edge.

Carter may never be more than a situational pass rusher, but players are needed to fill that role in a Dick Lebeau offense.

In his rookie season, Carter could see the field as a pass rusher and also on special teams.

Keith Williams

The Pittsburgh Steelers went back to the offensive line in the sixth round, this time heading to the interior. The Steelers selected Nebraska offensive guard Keith Williams.

Williams is a product of a good program, and he has been well coached. He is a disciplined player and was considered one of the best guards in the Big XII last season.

He does not excel at any area, but he is good enough to provide depth this season and possibly more later in his career.

Williams will never be a star, but he could be an important and capable backup lineman.

In 2011, look for Williams to mostly sit and learn.

Baron Batch

The seventh and final round of the NFL Draft saw the Steelers select Texas Tech running back Baron Batch.

With veteran running back Mewelde Moore a free agent, the Steelers selected Batch to provide possible depth in the backfield. Jonathan Dwyer will provide depth, but he is not a third down running back and is still very unproven.

Batch is not ready to play this season, but has the athleticism and the hands to make himself worth a shot.

Running back is not a tremendous need for the Steelers, with the emergence of Isaac Redman as Rashard Mendenhall's backup. Batch will not have any pressure to perform in his rookie season and probably won't have much of a chance to.