2011 NFL Draft: Brandon Harris and Mike Pouncey Among First Options for Steelers

Now that the Super Bowl has concluded and all 32 NFL teams are anxiously awaiting the results of the latest round of CBA negotiations, it's time to turn everyone's attention toward the free agency period and the draft.

Trying to guess where free agents will land is always tough, but it's especially difficult in the face of so much labor unrest and uncertainty. Teams are currently proceeding on an almost "business as usual" path, but caution is the word.

The draft, the format of which is unlikely to be affected by the CBA talks, will probably go on regardless of talks on a labor deal, but nothing is truly certain anymore.

This will be the first in a series of articles profiling the possible draft-day selections for the Pittsburgh Steelers. We're not only looking at the players, but also how they help the Steelers and fit into the team's schemes and plans.

Here's a look at five potential first-round picks.

A Brief Look at Team Needs

Larry French/Getty Images

BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 05: Chris Kemoeatu #68, Maurkice Pouncey #53, Ramon Foster #73 and Flozell Adams #71 of the Pittsburgh Steelers look on during the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on December 5, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland.

Here's a look at what needs Pittsburgh will be looking to fill. For a more complete look at the Steelers' offensive and defensive depth charts, refer to my two articles profiling each from last week.

Offense

1. Offensive Line (particularly guard and possibly tackle)

2. Quarterback (need depth, possibly a developmental quarterback)

Defense

1. Cornerback (two potential future starters)

2. Defensive Tackle (future replacement for Casey Hampton)

3. Defensive End (future replacement for Brett Keisel)

4. Safety (depth, possible future replacement for Troy Polamalu or Ryan Clark)

Mike Pouncey, G (Florida)

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

NEW ORLEANS - JANUARY 01: Tim Tebow #15 of the Florida Gators hugs teammate Mike Pouncey #55 after scoring a touchdown against the Cincinnati Bearcats during the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Louisana Superdome on January 1, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Advantages

Pouncey, like his older brother and Pittsburgh center Maurkice, is an athletic, versatile player. He can play both guard and center and there is some sentiment that, should he be selected by the Steelers, he should move to center and shift his older brother to one of the guard spots.

I'm not in favor of that move because of the chemistry that developed this year between Pouncey and Ben Roethlisberger, but I think the younger Pouncey would be an excellent guard for this depleted and undermanned offensive line.

Drafting a stud offensive lineman in the first round may lack the glamor of taking a skill position player on either side of the ball, but it solves a major issue for the Steelers and instantly gives them depth. Ramon Foster or Chris Kemoeatu would shift to a backup role (more likely Foster) and be able to back up the starters at virtually any spot.

Disadvantages

The biggest disadvantage to this pick is that the team has a greater need on the defensive side of the ball than it does along the offensive line. The offensive line class is much deeper than the class of defensive backs, so it makes more sense to use the first pick on a defensive back.

The other disadvantage of Pouncey in particular is that he has likely played himself into a higher draft slot. The Steelers, should they covet Pouncey, would likely be forced to trade up in the first round to get him. That could put the team's ability to put together a deep, large draft class at risk.

Brandon Harris, CB (Miami)

Doug Benc/Getty Images

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL - SEPTEMBER 17: Defensive back Brandon Harris #1 of the Miami Hurricanes breaks up a pass intended for wide receiver Kevin Cone #82 of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Land Shark Stadium on September 17, 2009 in Fort Lauderdale, Flo

Advantages

There was no bigger need exposed in the Super Bowl than at corner, where the Steelers were unable to adequately cover the deep, talented Green Bay receiving corps.

Pittsburgh doesn't seem to place much value on the corner position. The Steelers have been filling it on the cheap for over a decade and have won two Super Bowls and played in a third while this deficiency has gone relatively unchecked.

The Steelers' preferred method at corner is to give the position a token mid- or late-round draft selection every few years and develop that player into a serviceable starter. The problem is that teams have figured out where the holes are in the defense. With Troy Polamalu bothered by nagging injuries, the corner position was badly exposed. Now, teams are picking on that area and finding good success.

Harris is fast, has good coverage skills and is likely to be available when the Steelers select 31st overall. He would fit well into their scheme and could become one of the better blitzing corners in the league after some seasoning from Dick LeBeau.

Whoever the Steelers select is unlikely to start this year, so they'll have time to learn.

Disadvantages

Harris' performance in Miami's winter exhibition game has to be a concern. He was unable to cover his assigned receiver well and got burned several times. For a team that may finally be looking to spend big money at the position, getting another player who is inconsistent or gets burned in coverage is not going to fly.

Pittsburgh hasn't selected a corner in the first round this century. This may be the time to buck that trend, and Harris projects very well.

Justin Houston, DE/OLB (Georgia)

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

ATHENS, GA - NOVEMBER 27: Justin Houston #42 of the Georgia Bulldogs sacks quarterback Tevin Washington #13 of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Sanford Stadium on November 27, 2010 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Advantages

A big junior season has vaulted Houston into first-round status, so his original label as a second-round talent may allow him to fall to the Steelers.

He fits the Pittsburgh style of selecting versatile defensive ends who can also play linebacker and seeing which position fits them best. The Steelers could elect to put Houston behind Brett Keisel to learn the scheme as Keisel ages, and then allow him to replace Keisel when the time comes.

They could also play him at outside linebacker and have a potential replacement for James Harrison who can compete with Jason Worilds for time in relief. Houston projects to be a great pass rusher and his speed could be an asset regardless of where he plays.

Disadvantages

Whether or not this scheme is perfect for Houston, he's not the player Pittsburgh needs at this slot. The Steelers need a defensive back or offensive lineman more than anything and waiting (again) to address these needs will only be a detriment to the Steelers' chances of returning to the Super Bowl.

Houston's big junior season is great, but also a potential concern because it's unclear whether or not he can sustain his success for multiple seasons at a higher level of competition. That's something that will certainly bear watching.

Jimmy Smith, CB (Colorado)

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

BOULDER, CO - NOVEMBER 07: Wide receiver Jeff Fuller #8 of the Texas A&M Aggies makes a reception against the defense of Jimmy Smith #3 of the Colorado Buffaloes during NCAA college football action at Folsom Field on November 7, 2009 in Boulder, Colorado

Advantages

If we're looking at this without regard for the chances of a player being on the board when the team selects, Smith is a better choice than Harris. He's opened some eyes with another good season and should be on many draft boards as one of the top available corners.

He has good coverage skills and doesn't often get caught out of position. He, like Harris, doesn't require safety help to make big plays or keep coverage. That would be a huge advantage for the Steelers, who would like to allow Ryan Clark and Troy Polamalu to become natural playmakers instead of using them in support on obvious passing downs.

Smith is the type of player the Steelers should covet at corner. He has the potential and skill set to be a shutdown player in the NFL. That is something that's been needed in the Steel City since the days of Rod Woodson.

Disadvantages

He probably is going to be unavailable at the 31st pick unless he has a poor combine. He's impressed in every workout and game so far and has been projected to go as high as 13th overall (Detroit).

He may be worth trading up to get, but don't expect the Steelers to jeopardize their entire draft by packaging up a lot of picks to move ahead of other teams. The good news is that his emergence could push Harris down to the Steelers, so maybe there's a silver lining after all.

Jonathan Baldwin, WR (Pittsburgh)

Jared Wickerham/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 05: Jonathan Baldwin #82 of the University of Pittsburgh Panthers catches a touchdown against the Cincinnati Bearcats on December 5, 2009 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

Advantages

Baldwin was originally considered a potential top-15 pick, but he had a rough season thanks to Pittsburgh's ongoing inability to find a consistent passer. Baldwin is still impressive and has the size (6'5", 230 pounds) to make big plays.

Pittsburgh won't have Hines Ward forever and there is a great deal of sentiment that the Steelers could use a big, physical receiver to go with speedster Mike Wallace. Baldwin fits that bill and would likely be a fan favorite playing in the same town where he's starred for several seasons at Pitt.

He's a dark horse candidate here, but it can't be underestimated. One of the things Ben Roethlisberger has always coveted is a big receiver in the style of Plaxico Burress (without the weaponry), who had such a successful rapport with Big Ben before leaving in free agency.

Disadvantages

This would fly in the face of all logic. Baldwin's stock is down. Pittsburgh doesn't have a pressing need for a wide receiver regardless of size and hometown flavor. The Steelers have huge needs elsewhere.

Baldwin is a nice player, but he may even be around in the second round. Pittsburgh could trade up into the early part of that round and still possibly nab him. Taking him in the first round would not only be ludicrous when looking at the team's needs, it would also be a bit of a reach.

The Steelers have found excellent receivers in the later rounds. There's no need to buck that trend now.