2012 NFL Mock Draft: Pittsburgh Steelers' Full 7-Round Mock Draft

After a heartbreaking playoff loss, the Pittsburgh Steelers have launched headfirst into an offseason of uncertainty, replete with salary cap woes and complicated by a knee injury that could sideline starting running back Rashard Mendenhall well into next season.

The Steelers have a long history of strengthening their team through the draft, and in a season where it's more important than ever that Pittsburgh have more hits than misses, here's a look at how the 2012 NFL draft might shake out for the Steelers.

Round 1, Pick 24 (24): Mike Adams, OT/OG, Ohio State

This may be an area where the Steelers diverge a bit from their usual "best player available" strategy, as the Steelers desperately need help on the offensive line.

Offensive tackle Mike Adams was a second-team all-Big Ten performer as a senior at Ohio State. After a solid week at the Senior Bowl solidifying his first-round stock, the versatile, 6'7", 323-pound Adams would be a badly-needed shot in the arm.

Round 2, Pick 24 (56): Alameda Ta'amu, NT, Washington

Another "two birds with one stone" pick, as the Steelers could land arguably the best player on the board as well as address a need at nose tackle, where Casey Hampton is 35 and recovering from a torn ACL.

The 6'3", 341-pound Ta'amu is a powerful run stuffer and prototypical 3-4 hole plugger who could enable the formidable Pittsburgh linebackers to do what they do best.

Round 3, Pick 24 (87): Bernard Pierce, RB, Temple

I mentioned Pierce in an article I wrote yesterday here in regards to the Mendenhall situation, as with Mendenhall's status in doubt and his contract up after the year it's important that the Steelers address their backfield depth in this draft.

The 6'0", 217-pound bruiser is a between-the-tackles pounder much like Mendenhall and Isaac Redman. After rushing for nearly 1,500 yards and 27 touchdowns for the Owls a year ago, Pierce would be a solid fit in black and gold.

Round 4, Pick 24 (119): Senio Kelemete, OT, Washington

In the fourth round, the Steelers might be well-advised to continue to address their offensive front with their second selection of a tackle and second player from the University of Washington, as Kelemete would be a fine value here.

The 6'3", 300-pound Kelemete was a second-team All Pac-12 performer in 2011, and while he's a bit undersized, the Steelers' training staff and some good, old-fashioned Midwestern cooking should solve that problem in no time.

Round 5, Pick 24 (151): Shaun Prater, CB, Iowa

The Steelers restructured the contract of starting cornerback Ike Taylor and released Bryant McFadden in salary-crunching moves, so it's important that the Steelers attempt to improve the defensive backfield inexpensively, such as late in the draft.

Shaun Prater was a solid performer for the Iowa Hawkeyes in 2011, tallying 51 tackles, a sack and an interception, and the 5'11", 185-pound senior would provide some much-needed depth at corner as well as a familiarity with the Steelers scheme.

Color scheme that is. 

Round 6, Pick 24 (183): Darius Fleming, LB, Notre Dame

Linebacker isn't necessarily an area of need for the Steelers, but James Harrison is 33 and James Farrior is 37, so it wouldn't hurt Pittsburgh to at least infuse some youth and depth into the position later in the 2012 draft.

Notre Dame linebacker Darius Fleming is a smart and versatile player who played defensive end and linebacker in college, and the 6'2", 259-pound senior with 4.59 speed has the physical tools to excel at either inside or outside linebacker if called upon.

Round 7, Pick 24 (215): Jerrell Young, S, South Florida

Speaking of Notre Dame, South Florida safety Jerrell Young had the game of his collegiate career against the Fighting Irish last year, notching seven tackles, an interception and a forced fumble.

The 6'1", 205-pound Young is a talented but somewhat raw prospect with 4.5 speed, and who better for the young safety to apprentice under than Troy Polamalu?

For an end-of-the-draft flier, you could do worse.