2011 NFL Draft: 3 Ways to Fix the Pittsburgh Steelers' Cornerback Situation

If the Super Bowl highlighted anything for the Pittsburgh Steelers, it was that this team has one of the worst defensive backfields in football. Pittsburgh absolutely must make a move in free agency and/or the draft to fix this problem.

There are several different scenarios by which the Steelers could fix their issues. Some involve free-agent signings, some involve draft picks and some involve a combination of both options.

Here's a look at three possible ways that Pittsburgh could use either the draft or a combination of the draft and free agency to solve the problems that have plagued its secondary for more than a decade. With the ongoing troubles in collective bargaining, there's a very real chance teams will have to use the draft as their first opportunity to upgrade rosters.

1. Select Aaron Williams of Texas 31st Overall

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AUSTIN, TX - SEPTEMBER 25: Cornerback Aaron Williams #4 of the Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Corresponding Moves: Re-signing Ike Taylor, letting William Gay leave, moving Bryant McFadden to nickel

Advantages

Williams is a shutdown player. He's aggressive, has good hands and makes few mistakes in coverage or in playing the ball.

Pairing him with Ike Taylor and Troy Polamalu would be a powerful combination. Given Williams' projection of being able to play both safety and corner, pairing him with former Steeler corner and safety and current Pittsburgh defensive backs coach Carnell Lake could also be advantageous.

Williams is an ideal player for the Pittsburgh system because of his style. Once he's ready, he could push Bryant McFadden to the nickel, where he's probably better suited to playing anyway.

Disadvantages

Because Williams projects better as a safety, he may not pan out at corner, which is always a risky proposition for a team with a clear need to fill.

In addition, learning the Pittsburgh system is never easy and takes corners and safeties more than just one offseason of work. Therefore, the Steelers may not be able to count on Williams being able to step into the lineup regularly this year. They have shown patience before with young players (Ziggy Hood comes to mind), so that may not be as big of an issue as it seems.

2. Trade Up in First Round, Select Prince Amukamara or Jimmy Smith

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LINCOLN, NE - NOVEMBER 26: Prince Amukamara #21 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers misses a chance at an interception from Scotty McKnight #21 of the Colorado Buffaloes during the second half of their game at Memorial Stadium on November 26, 2010 in Lincoln, Neb

Corresponding Moves: Re-sign Ike Taylor, let William Gay leave, move Bryant McFadden to nickel

Likely Trade Package (Amukamara): First-round pick (31st overall), two second-round picks (2011, 2012), another draft pick (probably a fourth-rounder this year)

Likely Trade Package (Smith): First-round pick (31st overall), third-round pick, possibly another late-rounder

Advantages

The Steelers do not regularly make trades, but it is worth noting that the last time they upgraded their secondary in the first round, they moved from 30th overall to 16th overall to select Troy Polamalu. They may be looking into a similar move this time around if they covet a player like Prince Amukamara or Jimmy Smith.

Both players are shutdown-type corners and project to be starters very quickly. They are aggressive, technically sound players who don't make mistakes and can be ballhawks. Amukamara is a top 10 talent, so the Steelers will have to dig deep to get high enough to select him; they might need to trade as high as ninth overall (Dallas) to have a good chance.

Smith is another high-end talent, but he's tumbled some on draft boards. The consensus is that these are the second- and third-best talents at the position, with no other consensus first-rounders in the mix. Going up the board to nab one could be very advantageous for Pittsburgh.

Disadvantages

Chief among the red flags is that the price to be paid to move up in this draft will be steep. Players cannot be involved in trades thanks to the ongoing CBA fiasco, so pick-only swaps will be the rule. Getting to ninth overall will be very, very difficult, and Kevin Colbert and his staff usually shy away from any trades that jeopardize current and/or future drafts.

Another flag involves the character issues surrounding Jimmy Smith. He could go as late as the mid 20s, but Pittsburgh just spent a great deal of energy getting rid of its in-house character problems. It may not want to take on another risky player.

3. Re-Sign Ike Taylor, Sign Carlos Rogers and Select a Corner in Round 2

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CHARLOTTE, NC - OCTOBER 11: Steve Smith #89 of the Carolina Panthers has a pass broken up by Carlos Rogers #22 of the Washington Redskins at Bank of America Stadium on October 11, 2009 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Corresponding Moves: Let William Gay leave, release Bryant McFadden, Keenan Lewis or Crezdon Butler (preferably not Butler)

Possible Second-Round Selections: Brandon Harris (Miami), Curtis Brown (Texas), Ras-I Dowling (Virginia)

Advantages

This scenario is nice to think about, but given the fact that Pittsburgh will not have a shot at free agents before the draft (unless there is a CBA miracle), it is unlikely that Rogers and/or Taylor will be Steelers by the time the team goes into the war room.

Pittsburgh could, however, always choose to work on its offensive line, another major concern, first in the draft and then select a corner in the second round.

The situation has obvious advantages. It would allow whoever the Steelers target (it seems to be a deep corner class) to spend time learning as a bench jockey and nickel player before asking him to step into a starting spot. In the meantime, Rogers would be a good option opposite Taylor.

The Steelers would be able to shore up their leaky offensive line as well, alleviating concerns about the long-term health of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

Disadvantages

There is a lot of money tied up in this plan. It assumes that Pittsburgh would spend a great deal of money on two corners with some shortcomings in their respective games, and it also assumes that it will spend a high draft pick at the position.

Also, Pittsburgh needs a young, shutdown corner. You don't usually find those later in the draft, so it may be unproductive for Pittsburgh to wait and choose an offensive lineman early.