Pittsburgh Steelers' Seven-Round Mock Draft
With this slideshow, I embark upon a quest to make a seven round mock draft for all 32 NFL teams.
Most of you are probably unfamiliar with me so allow me to tell you just a little about myself. I am an avid football fan and consider myself to be somewhat of a draft afficianado.
I've been writing draft articles for my favorite team, the Cleveland Browns, for the past couple seasons. I've done massive amounts of research, watching videos and reading scouting reports until my eyes have bled(not literally).
I thought it would be interesting to apply my research and make a seven round mock for all 32 teams this year, and what better place to start than with my hated, but deeply respected rivals, the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Steelers are probably the best organization in the NFL and just seem to reload every year. There aren't many holes on this roster, but age is starting to catch up to them in a few key areas.
The offensive line and secondary are two of the key areas of need I've identified for the Steelers and with the leagues labor dispute, the draft is especially key this off-season for the Steelers to find some young players to grow behind it's veteran roster.
Round One: Derek Sherrod, OT Mississippi State
1 of 7
The Steelers are very thin at offensive tackle. Injuries forced them to bring in veteran Flozell Adams last season, but he is obviously not in their future plans.
Sherrod was an anchor for the Bulldogs in his career at Mississippi State. He has the length and bulk that could allow him to step in at right tackle early in his career.
At this point he's better in pass protection than as a run blocker, but has the size to develop into a road-grader. If there's a coaching staff in the league that can instill toughness in him, it's the Steelers.
The Steelers are going to need help at tackle next season, especially if they are unable to sign free agent Willie Colon.
Round Two: Greg Little, WR North Carolina
2 of 7
The Steelers have an excellent core of receivers led by veteran Hines Ward, but Ward is getting long in the tooth and the Steelers are soon going to need to find an heir apparent.
Little would make the perfect successor to Ward with his physical play and ability to create separation to make key third downs.
At 6''3" and 235 pounds, Little uses his size well to shield defenders from the ball and consistently make important first downs. He also does a very good after the catch for his size.
Little is also a tenacious and physical blocker, which is Ward's calling card.
With a season to learn behind Ward, Little could form a lethal tandem with speedster Mike Wallace for years to come in Pittsburg.
Round Three: Chimdi Chekwa, CB Ohio State
3 of 7
Chimdi Chekwa might have been the best defender on what was one of the best defenses in college football last season.
He was over-looked by most scouts for most of the off-season before a very good combine showing which raised his stock significantly.
Chekwa at 5'11" and 203 pounds, he has good size for the position to go along with his sub-4.4 time in the 40.
He is a little stiff in the hips at times but has excellent recovery speed and could develop into a very solid corner in the NFL.
.png?w=256)
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Round Four: David Arkin, OG Missouri State
4 of 7
David Arkin is the type of blue-collar player that would be right at home in Pittsburg.
Arkin was voted Missouri State's offensive lineman of the year three consecutive seasons and was first team all-MEAC his senior year.
At 6'5" and 300 pounds, he has room to add some bulk to his frame but plays with a relentless mean streak and a keen awareness.
He's a mauler and a road-grader who could develop to form a very formidable interior offensive line with center Maurkice Pouncey and guard Chris Komoeatu.
Round Five: Jerrell Powe, DT Ole Miss
5 of 7
Age and injuries have started to slow nose tackle Casey Hampton. The Steelers need to start thinking about someone to eventually replace him.
At 6'2" and 335 pounds, Powe is one of the few defensive tackles in this draft with the size to be an anchor at the nose in a 3-4 defense.
Powe was a leader on the defense for Ole Miss and is a respected teammate and high character guy.
Conditioning and endurance are a little bit of an issue with Powe, but he could start out spelling Hampton while the Steelers' strength and conditioning coach whips him into better shape.
He could end up being a steal in the fifth round.
Round Six: Karl Klug, DE Iowa
6 of 7
The Steelers are solid at defensive end with Brett Keisel and Ziggy Hood but depth is starting to become an issue. Especially with the unknown future plans of veteran stud Aaron Smith, it would be wise to add some depth at the position.
Klug played defensive tackle at Iowa, but at 6'3" and 275 pounds he is horribly undersized for that position. He probably isn't athletic enough to play defensive end in a 4-3 system, but he should be right at home in a 3-4.
Klug is a blue-collar player who plays with tremendous heart and effort. His motor is relentless and he never gives up on a play.
He fits the bill perfectly to be a Steelers defensive lineman.
Round Seven: Mark LeGree, S Appalachian State
7 of 7
The Steelers have the best safety in the game in Troy Polamalu, but age and injuries are starting to catch up to him as well. Also, Ryan Clark appears to be too busy debating Skip Bayless on First and 10 to cover the middle of the field these days.
Mark LeGree is relatively unknown being from FCS school Appalachian State, but he made quite an impact for the Mountaineers defense.
He had 17 career interceptions and was the only FCS player on the watch-list for the Bronco Nagurski award.
He was also a two-time FCS all-american.
He has decent size and speed and can seriously hawk the ball. He has pretty solid coverage skills and is unafraid to deliver a big hit.
Though he's gone completely under the radar, he could be a late-round gem.
.png?w=480)
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
