2011 NFL Mock Draft: Pittsburgh Steelers' Mock Draft

We've already taken a look at two possibilities for the complete Pittsburgh Steelers' draft class. It's time for another stab at it.

Instead of doing another completely different set (let's face it—there aren't a lot of players to slot into each spot if you want it to be credible), we're going to mix and match and add in a few new names.

Here's a third look at how things might shake out on draft day.

Round 1, 31st Overall: Aaron Williams, CB, Texas

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AUSTIN, TX - NOVEMBER 07: Defensive back Aaron Williams #4 of the Texas Longhorns practices before a game against the UCF Knights on November 7, 2009 at Darrell K Royal - Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas. Texas won 35-3. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Get

Fitting the Needs

Williams fits the Steelers' biggest need—a corner who can make impact plays and force offenses to think about someone else in the secondary besides Troy Polamalu.

He's got excellent coverage skills, makes big plays whenever possible, and isn't a liability in any way as a corner.

Devil's Advocate

The only major knock on Williams, and what's hurt his draft stock in some ways, is that he may end up as a free safety at the professional level. This isn't a bad thing for the Steelers, who've had some notable players move from corner to safety, including current Steelers secondary coach Carnell Lake.

Likelihood of Becoming a Steeler

Williams is slowly becoming the favorite for this pick, and has been featured as the player Pittsburgh will select in almost every mock draft to this point.

Round 2, 63rd Overall: Marcus Cannon, OG, TCU

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FORT WORTH, TX - NOVEMBER 28: Marcus Cannon #61, Kyle Dooley #72 and Alonzo Adams #81 of the TCU Horned Frogs raise the Mountain West Regular Season Championship trophy at Amon G. Carter Stadium on November 28, 2009 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Ronal

Fitting the Need

Cannon is another player who fills one of the team's top needs. He is an excellent offensive guard who could potentially be a starter by the end of training camp and fits into the Steelers' blocking system extremely well.

He can pull and move against the run, and is also excellent in pass-blocking. His ability to hold his blocks for extended periods could prove to be important, given Ben Roethlisberger's penchant for waiting to make plays.

Devil's Advocate

Cannon will probably play on the right side, which is good, but many of Pittsburgh's offensive problems last year came from the left side of the line.

Likelihood of Becoming a Steeler

Cannon will be around in the second round, unless something changes between now and the draft, so Pittsburgh should be able to land him.

He fits their scheme better than others who will likely be around, so he could have the shortest path to the starting lineup.

Round 3, 95th Overall: Kenrick Ellis, DT, Hampton

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Fitting the Need

Ellis is a small-school prospect who had a wonderful college career. He would likely fit well as the team's nose tackle of the future.

He could spend a couple of years learning behind Casey Hampton, who's slowly losing his effectiveness and range. Ellis can get into the backfield on occasion and is an excellent run-stuffer from the middle.

Devil's Advocate

Small-school prospects can sometimes wither on the NFL's big stage. Also, Ellis just recently added enough bulk to be the size required for the position, going from 280 lbs. to somewhere in the mid-300s.

Likelihood of Becoming a Steeler

The Steelers have had success with small-school prospects before and could strike gold again with Ellis, who figures to be around in the third round.

Round 4, 128th Overall: Kevin Rutland, CB, Missouri

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TEMPE, AZ - DECEMBER 28: Defensive back Kevin Rutland #20 of the Missouri Tigers intercepts a pass intended for Marvin McNutt #7 of the Iowa Hawkeyes during the third quarter of the Insight Bowl at Sun Devil Stadium on December 28, 2010 in Tempe, Arizona

Fitting the Need

Getting Williams in the first round would be great, but the Steelers still need another player to groom at the corner spot. Rutland is a complete-package player who could slip to the fourth round for various reasons.

Despite those drawbacks, he could eventually be a star in the NFL thanks to good speed, blitzing ability and coverage skills.

Devil's Advocate

He may be a better safety than a corner, but that's not a bad thing for Pittsburgh, who will eventually look to replace Ryan Clark somehow. Perhaps Rutland is the player to do that.

Likelihood of Becoming a Steeler

He's all over draft boards, so this may either be a reach or it could be too late. If he's around in the fourth round when the Steelers pick, however, he'll be hard to pass up.

Round 5, 162nd Overall: Derrick Locke, RB, Kentucky

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LEXINGTON, KY - SEPTEMBER 18: Derrick Locke #20 of the Kentucky Wildcats runs with the ball during the game against the Akron Zips at Commonwealth Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Fitting the Need

Locke is a fast, home-run threat at running back who could slot in alongside Rashard Mendenhall and Isaac Redman to give the Steelers the kind of speed-back that they haven't had since Willie Parker left.

Locke doesn't meet a premium need, but you can never underestimate the value of speed and versatility in this offense.

Devil's Advocate

He's got a list of injuries a mile long, and small backs don't always have the ability to stand up to hard-hitting NFL defenders.

Likelihood of Becoming a Steeler

The Steelers could opt for Noel Devine from WVU if he's still around at this point, but Locke could be a nice, complementary piece if he's selected. He'll be around at this point, so maybe he's the guy.

Round 6, 196th Overall: Greg Lloyd, ILB, Connecticut

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SOUTH BEND, IN - NOVEMBER 21: Armando Allen #5 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish loses his helmet as he is hit at the goal line by Greg Lloyd #95 of the Univeristy of Connecticut Huskies at Notre Dame Stadium on November 21, 2009 in South Bend, Indiana. (P

Fitting the Need

The Steelers have Keyaron Fox leaving via free agency and Larry Foote coming off an underwhelming season. Stevenson Sylvester had a good rookie campaign and could eventually be a star.

Lloyd, the son of former Steeler Greg Lloyd, could be another nice, late-round player to develop. He's a physical, fast linebacker who has a mean streak and can make big plays.

Devil's Advocate

Lloyd may be a reach even this late because he isn't NFL-ready, but the Steelers have had great success with late-round linebackers before and could catch lightning in a bottle again with the son of one of their legends.

Likelihood of Becoming a Steeler

He may be a reach here, but the Steelers always seem to take at least one linebacker in the draft. Why shouldn't they select the son of one of the members of the '90s' Steel Curtain?

Round 7, 234th Overall: Scott Tolzien, QB, Wisconsin

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PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Quarterback Scott Tolzien #16 of the Wisconsin Badgers looks to pass the ball against the TCU Horned Frogs in the 97th Rose Bowl game on January 1, 2011 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

Fitting the Need

Ben Roethlisberger is entrenched as the starter, but his backups don't inspire a lot of confidence. Charlie Batch is a better coach than player at this point and Byron Leftwich has never flourished in the NFL, despite multiple opportunities.

With the way Big Ben plays, having a good, capable backup is essential.

Devil's Advocate

Taking a quarterback may seem like wasting a pick, but if the Steelers want to upgrade at the position, they may not get a chance elsewhere, since there is likely going to be no free agency for undrafted players immediately after the draft.

Tolzien is a good player who should develop into a quality backup, so he might be worth that seventh-round selection.

Likelihood of Becoming a Steeler

The quarterback position has gone largely ignored, and the lack of depth almost bit the Steelers badly last year during Ben Roethlisberger's suspension. It's unreasonable to expect a repeat performance if Big Ben is sidelined.