NFL Draft 2011: What the Pittsburgh Steelers Should Do in Round 1
With definite needs at corner and along the offensive line, the Pittsburgh Steelers could pick between several players with the 31st overall selection to fill one of those major needs.
There's little agreement on which way the team could go, and no one will really know for sure until the draft, but there are several players emerging as favorites to land in the Steel City.
Here's a look at five options for Pittsburgh at number 31.
1. Aaron Williams, CB, Texas
1 of 5
Chances
He's the favorite lately. Part of that is due to his ability to play either corner or safety, and part of it is that the other corner with a first-round grade who may be available, Jimmy Smith, has some major character questions, something the Steelers likely don't want.
Strengths
He's excellent in coverage and is a good playmaker. He doesn't make mistakes and would be an excellent pairing with Troy Polamalu. He's a smart player too and a good leader, intangibles that can't be discounted in this defense.
2. Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State
2 of 5
Chances
He could be gone, he could be on the board. Such is the nature of predicting offensive linemen in the draft. If he's there, the team will be hard pressed to pass on him for someone else. The Steelers desperately need an NFL caliber tackle to replace Willie Colon and Flozell Adams.
Strengths
Sherrod is a big, powerful lineman who gets off the snap well and holds his blocks. He'd be an asset at right or left tackle in the NFL since he can keep quarterbacks clean. The Steelers could use someone who can hold blocks over long periods because of Ben Roethlisberger's style of play.
3. Brandon Harris, CB, Miami
3 of 5
Chances
Harris is a bit of a reach here. He's probably an early- to mid-second rounder. But Pittsburgh wasn't afraid to reach a little for Ziggy Hood, so there's no way to tell if Harris is on their radar or not. He's a good corner and could be trained to fit well into the defense, so he's fair game.
Strengths
He's a decent cover corner and he can make plays. He compares in many respects to Ike Taylor. He's not going to be a shutdown corner in the NFL, but he has the capacity to be a good starter at this level. He will take time to learn the defense, but could eventually be a valuable blitz corner.
.png?w=256)
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
4. Mike Pouncey, OG/C, Florida
4 of 5
Chances
None unless they move up into the early 20s. If they are willing to mortgage some of their draft, they could move up and get him. He'd be good next to his brother and could be a decade-long fixture on the Pittsburgh line, so he might be worth the price of acquisition.
Strengths
Good overall lineman, very quick off the snap and excellent at holding blocks and also pulling in the running game. That fits the Steelers, who frequently ask their guards to pull so they can crash their protections to one side and give Rashard Mendenhall and company a lot of blockers.
5. Trade Down
5 of 5
Chances
With only one pick in each round, there's a chance that the Steelers may see no clear first round selection and elect to get more picks by trading a few spots into the second round. With several teams picking there looking for a quarterback, they might find someone eager to jump back into the first round and get Jake Locker, Andy Dalton or Ryan Mallett.
Strengths
They would have more picks, which is a plus, and could still potentially nab Williams or a good second round option like Ras-I Dowling or Curtis Brown, a Williams teammate. They'd then have their man and also have at least one or two extra picks later on to use on filling some other needs.
.png?w=480)
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
