NFL Draft 2011: 15 Picks To Help the Pittsburgh Steelers Win a Super Bowl
Having come within a couple of ill-timed turnovers of another Super Bowl victory, the Pittsburgh Steelers are not a team that needs to find a savior in the 2011 NFL Draft. Still, the club could definitely find some valuable help in this year’s crop of rookies.
Here are 15 players the Steelers might select who would put them in a better position to reach—and win—Super Bowl XLVI.
15. OT Chris Hairston, Clemson
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After having their offensive line shredded by injuries last year, depth up front should be a priority for the Steelers in this draft.
Hairston isn’t the top tackle prospect on anybody’s board, but could be an excellent mid-round value pick. He earned First Team All-ACC honors anchoring a run-first Clemson offense, and would provide a welcome insurance policy if last year’s injury debacle recurs.
14. WR Austin Pettis, Boise State
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Pettis has plenty of experience and polish, but his lack of straight-up speed has hurt his draft stock. Still, he’s got terrific hands, and at 6’3”, he has the length that Pittsburgh’s current receiving corps is missing.
He could make some nice contributions, especially in the red zone, as a mid-round selection.
13. NT Sione Fua, Stanford
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A potential steal in the middle rounds, Fua is a true nose tackle who anchored a strong Cardinal defense last season. Pittsburgh would love to groom an eventual replacement for Casey Hampton, but even better in the short term will be the ability to rest Hampton occasionally without a catastrophic drop in talent.
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12. OT Marcus Gilbert, Florida
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Like many Gator linemen (including Steelers star Maurkice Pouncey), Gilbert has experience at multiple positions. He's also among the top ten tackles in a crowded field.
Not a starter at this stage, but would be a good value as a third or fourth round pick.
11. DE/DT Jarvis Jenkins, Clemson
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Depending on whom you ask, Jenkins could be an heir apparent to Casey Hampton at NT, or to whichever DE spot doesn’t go to Ziggy Hood. He had a solid week of practices at the Senior Bowl so he may go higher than the Steelers would want to take him.
If he falls to Pittsburgh in Round Three, he’ll add another talented body in the D-line rotation.
10. OG John Moffitt, Wisconsin
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A converted center, Moffitt is another player who brings both talent and versatility along the offensive line. Having played in the run-heavy Badgers offense, he’ll definitely be ready to open holes for Rashard Mendenhall from day one.
Unlikely to start for a couple of seasons, he would be valuable insurance against more injuries up front.
9. CB Brandon Burton, Utah
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At 6’1”, 187-pounds, and lacking big-time run-stopping ability, Burton isn’t an ideal fit for Pittsburgh.
Still, depth at corner is likely to be a priority in this draft, Burton’s coverage skills and instincts are solid. Not worth a first-round selection for the Steelers, but as a second or third-rounder he could pay off.
8. OG Danny Watkins, Baylor
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A junior college transfer and former firefighter, Watkins will turn 27-years-old during his rookie year. As such, he’s less of a long-term gain than other linemen in this draft.
Still, for a Steelers team that needs depth more than a game-changing star, he could be a good fit. Second Team All-Big 12 as a senior, Watkins would be a nice addition in the second or third rounds.
7. WR Jonathan Baldwin, Pitt
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Baldwin entered the 2010 season with high expectations, thanks in large measure to a 6’5”, 230-pound frame that NFL scouts are still drooling over. Unfortunately, Baldwin’s on-field performance as a senior didn’t impress (53 catches, 822 yards, five TDs).
He still has the best chance of anyone in this draft of becoming the kind of red-zone target the Steelers would like to add opposite Mike Wallace.
Depending on who else is available, if Baldwin falls to Pittsburgh in Round Two, it might be worth taking a flier on him.
6. OG Marcus Cannon, TCU
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Highly regarded as a guard prospect, Cannon has also played tackle at TCU, making him a potential safety net at multiple positions. He might not last as far as the Steelers' second-round selection, but if he does, he'd be a first-class backup with the potential to contribute immediately.
5. CB Ras-I Dowling, Virginia
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At 6’2”, 200-pounds, Dowling fits the mold of the physical defensive backs whom the Steelers usually like. He’s coming off of a lingering knee injury, which is always a gamble, but if he pays off, he could take over the nickel corner spot next season in Pittsburgh.
Worth the risk if he falls to the Steelers in the second round.
4. OT Derek Sherrod, Mississippi State
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Handicapping the tackle position in this year’s draft has become a full-time job, as few analysts even agree on the relative order of the prospects. Sherrod could easily be gone by the time the Steelers select, but if he’s available, Pittsburgh would do well to snap him up.
A three-year college starter with long arms and good technique, Sherrod could spend part of next season apprenticing with Flozell Adams or Willie Colon, then step in as the starter later in the year if needed.
3. CB Aaron Williams, Texas
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Williams is listed at 6’1”, 192 pounds, so he’d do well to add some weight as he enters the league. Still, he’s got a lot going for him.He led the Longhorns with 13 passes defensed, forced three fumbles and made five tackles for loss.
He’s not going to rack up interceptions, but if he’s there at No. 31, and depending on how the board looks, he could be just what the Steelers secondary needs.
2. CB Jimmy Smith, Colorado
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Another Steelers-style body at 6’2”, 205 pounds, Smith doesn’t have any of the injury clouds hanging over him that hurt Dowling’s stock.
He played well in coverage at the college level. If Pittsburgh’s scouts think he’ll translate well to their defense, he’ll likely be the Steelers’ starting nickel corner in 2011.
1. OG Mike Pouncey, Florida
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Unsurprisingly, Pouncey has become the top target for many Steeler fans, thanks to his twin brother’s brilliant showing as a rookie. He’s not a great bet to fall all the way to the Steeler’s first pick at No. 31, but if he’s there, expect the Steelers to pounce on him. (Sorry, couldn’t help myself.)
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