2012 NFL Mock Draft: Analyzing Matt Miller's Pittsburgh Steelers Predictions

Matt Miller is Bleacher Report's lead NFL writer and creator of New Era Scouting. Miller recently wrote his first full seven-round mock draft for the 2012 NFL draft.

You can find the full draft here, but today I'm going to break down Miller's projected picks for the Steelers from a need perspective. The Steelers tend to take the best talent available because of how often that they are picking later in the draft but it doesn't hurt to check how the potential new additions will fit on the roster.

Round 1: Pick 27—Dontari Poe, Nose Tackle, Memphis

Miller's Note: "Replacing the aging Casey Hampton with Poe solidifies the Steelers defensive line for the next decade."

This selection would fit right into Kevin Colbert's draft plans of the past few seasons. Two of the team's last three first-round selections were on the defensive line. The first, Evander Hood, came three years ago, and Cam Heyward arrived at the end of the first round last year. 

With Poe, Hood and Heyward, the team would potentially be set for the next decade, with successors to all three of Casey Hampton, Aaron Smith and Brett Keisel. Smith has likely already played his final game for the Steelers, but Hampton should see out his contract along with Keisel.

As far as nose tackles go, the Steelers already have three quality players at the position. Chris Hoke is likely to make way for Poe.

Hoke has been a reliable rotational player and serviceable starter at times during his career with the team. However, Steve McLendon is also emerging at the position as a nose tackle that can play both the run and the pass effectively.

With Poe, McLendon and Hampton as the team's three nose tackles, the Steelers are set at a vital position for the immediate and foreseeable future.

Round 2: Pick 59—Nate Potter, Offensive Tackle, Boise State

Miller's Note: "Potter is a great athlete who is similar to Jon Scott, but better. He looks like a rookie starter."

Potter would have to be a special player for this pick to make much sense for the Steelers. The team could potentially be loaded with bodies at offensive tackle next year, and the real problem on the offensive line is the interior. 

Whether they like it or not, Willie Colon was too big an investment before this season to not return next year. His replacement, Marcus Gilbert, has been an outstanding rookie and will start, whether it be on the right or the left.

Max Starks has been more than capable as the team's left tackle. Even though he only signed a one-year deal, he will likely be re-signed, as he is only 30 next season and a favorite of Ben Roethlisberger.

Even with the potential for Colon to move to guard, the Steelers would be more likely to look for an offensive guard in this situation depending on the talent available.

Drafting a tackle wouldn't be the worst decision, especially if Potter can play some guard early in his career. It just doesn't seem likely because of the team's depth at the position projecting into next season.

Round 3: Pick 91—Amini Silatolu, Offensive Guard, Midwestern State

The Steelers have had a lot of success drafting in the third round in recent years with Mike Wallace, Keenan Lewis and Emmanuel Sanders.

Their drafting of guards, however, hasn't been so reliable. Chris Scott (drafted as a tackle but auditioned at guard in camp), Keith Williams, Tony Hills (see Scott) and Kraig Urbik are all now off the roster.

Of the group, Urbik is the only one starting elsewhere, in Buffalo. This shouldn't put the Steelers off taking in more offensive linemen, though. The Steelers need better backups and starters on the inside. Maurkice Pouncey may be a Pro Bowler by name, but he didn't play like one this past season.

He isn't helped by the revolving doors beside him at the guard positions. Players like Trai Essex, Doug Legursky, Chris Kemoeatu and Jamon Meredith are all players that could be improved upon. If Silatolu has any potential to be a starter as a rookie, the Steelers have to take him.

Round 4: Pick 123—Duke Ihenacho, Strong Safety, San Jose State

Currently, Ryan Mundy is the backup for the Pittsburgh Steelers at both safety positions. Mundy will start this weekend in Denver in place of Ryan Clark at the free safety position. By trade, Mundy is a free safety, so that shouldn't be an issue for the Steelers.

However, he doesn't perfectly fit the role as a backup strong safety. He beat out Will Allen by talent, but it is worrying for the team that they would essentially be playing two free safeties when Polamalu goes out.

Competition at the safety position would be a welcome addition heading into training camp next year. Will Allen is a reliable special teams player but offers little to the defense.

Round 5: Pick 155—George Iloka, Free Safety, Boise State

The Steelers should only have one safety spot available next year, if even that, as DaMon Cromartie-Smith has begun to show flashes now that he is on the active roster.

Iloka would probably not make the roster and the recent injury to Rashard Mendenhall could see the team look toward added running back depth in the mid to late rounds of this draft.

Round 6: Pick 187—Tom Compton, Offensive Tackle, South Dakota

The amount of offensive linemen in this draft is reflective of how talented the Steelers' roster is overall. They can indeed focus on their greatest weaknesses, but by this time I would expect them to pick up a new kicker, as Shaun Suisham simply isn't good enough.

Round 7: Pick 219—Terrence Frederick, Cornerback, Texas A&M

With William Gay potentially leaving in free agency, Ike Taylor on his final deal in all probability and Bryant McFadden unlikely to be re-signed, more cornerback depth makes sense for the Steelers. It would be a major shock if the team didn't take a linebacker somewhere in the draft, however.

Kevin Colbert has drafted seven linebackers since Mike Tomlin became the team's head coach and there is a need for youth at middle linebacker even just as depth.

As you would expect, Miller's draft is spot-on for the most part in addressing the team's needs and fitting into the team's overall philosophy. If they can indeed lock up the future of the defensive line early on and find more depth on the offensive line, then they should be in great shape come September.

Despite this being a quarterback-driven league, football is still won in the trenches.

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