2011 NFL Mock Draft: Seven Round Pittsburgh Steelers Mock Draft, Version Two

We are just a week away from the 2011 NFL draft and with the prospect visits completed, the draft picture may have become a bit clearer.

The Steelers have had over 30 college prospects visit, including many local players from the University of Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh has made a habit of drafting players that they brought in for visits, with four players from the 2009 draft and three from the 2010 draft, including first round selection Maurkice Pouncey.

With cornerback as the top need, many have the Steelers leaning this way and they could select a player at this position, with player visits by popular first round selection Aaron Williams, as well as Ras-I Dowling.

However, each player is a borderline first round player. Will the Steelers select a cornerback to address a bigger need over another position with better talent available?

Round One, 31st Overall: Phil Taylor, NT, Baylor

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COLUMBIA, MO - NOVEMBER 7: Phil Taylor #11 of the Baylor Bears moves on the field during the game against the Missouri Tigers at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium on November 7, 2009 in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

In Friday’s Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Mike Tomlin was quoted, “I think defensively it generally starts with the men up front. I think you look at how players are drafted, it bears that out. Big people go first. If you’re applying pressure to the quarterback, you don’t have to cover. If you’re stopping the run, you don’t have to cover.”

Phil Taylor fits this mold perfectly.

Taylor is a big body, standing at 6’4” and 334 pounds, and has the potential to be a very good run stuffer capable of taking on double teams.

There are concerns, though, as Taylor was arrested on assault charges and was dismissed from Penn State before moving on to Baylor. On the field, Taylor is not much of a pass rusher, but neither is Casey Hampton.

Taylor would provide Pittsburgh with another young defensive linemen to go along with 2009’s first round selection, Ziggy Hood.

Though they never get much credit, it is Pittsburgh’s defensive line that frees up their playmaking linebackers, and in order to have a successful defense they will need to keep that line strong.

Taylor would be the future centerpiece of that line.

Previous selection: Nate Solder, OT, Colorado

Round Two, 63rd Overall: Curtis Brown, CB, Texas

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AUSTIN, TX - NOVEMBER 07: Cornerback Curtis Brown #3 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/Getty Ima

The value at cornerback is just not there in the first round for the Steelers, but it will be in the second round.

Curtis Brown comes from a program that has sent some pretty good defensive backs into the league, including Quentin Jammer, Nathan Vasher and Cedric Griffin.

Brown isn’t overly fast, but has good size at just under 6’0” and 185 pounds.

Playing in the offensively oriented Big 12, Brown has plenty of experience against high flying passing offenses and should be able to adapt to the NFL, which is quickly turning into a pass-first league.

Brown is a physical cornerback who fits the Steelers defensive style, in which he will be asked to play against the run.

While he would not be expected to start as a rookie, Brown could become the nickel back and contribute on special teams.

Previous selection: Ras-I Dowling, CB, Virginia

Third Round, 95th Overall: Marcus Gilbert, OT, Florida

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KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 18: Frankie Hammond #85 celebrates with teammate Marcus Gilbert #76 of the Florida Gators after scoring a touchdown aganst the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Florida won 31

With talent added along the defensive line and backfield, the Steelers must address issues along their offensive line.

Though they need an upgrade at guard, they have plenty of depth at the position. Pittsburgh does not have that same depth at tackle, where Max Starks and Willie Colon are also coming off major injuries.

With Colon a major question mark (currently a free agent), expect the Steelers to use Flozell Adams as their starting right tackle for one more season.

This would actually be an ideal situation for Marcus Gilbert, a massive 6’6” 330 pound tackle from Florida.

Playing against outstanding competition in the SEC, Gilbert has the frame to play left tackle, but also has experience at right tackle and guard.

Gilbert’s versatility for either side of the line is exactly what the Steelers need.

After a year of development, Gilbert could start as early as his second year.

Previous selection: Jerrell Powe, NT, Ole Miss

Fourth Round, 128th Overall: Jalil Brown, CB, Colorado

Eric Francis/Getty Images

LINCOLN, NE - NOVEMBER 26: Jake Long #41 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers catches a pass over Travis Sandersfeld #19 and Jalil Brown #23 of the Colorado Buffaloes during the second half of their game at Memorial Stadium on November 26, 2010 in Lincoln, Nebrask

Jalil Brown is a big, physical cornerback standing at 6’1” 204 pounds.

Playing in the Big 12, he has faced top competition and was a teammate of one of the top cornerback prospects in this year’s draft, Jimmy Smith.

Brown can eventually develop into a starter, but the lack of elite speed could keep him in a backup role.

Previous selection: Chimidi Chekwa, CB, Ohio State

Fifth Round. 162nd Overall: Austin Pettis, WR, Boise State

Geoff Burke/Getty Images

LANDOVER, MD - SEPTEMBER 06: Wide receiver #2 Austin Pettis of the Boise State Broncos tries to avoid cornerback #21 Rashad Carmichael of the Virginia Tech Hokies at FedExField on September 6, 2010 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Geoff Burke/Getty Imag

Wide receiver is not a top need for the Steelers, but Austin Pettis offers good value this late in the draft.

Standing at nearly 6’3”, Pettis would offer Ben Roethlisberger a big target, something that Pittsburgh lacks at the position.

What Pettis lacks in speed he makes up for in leaping ability and strength.

He is a prototypical possession receiver, which is a contrast to Pittsburgh’s recent draft picks at the position.

With plenty of playmakers in place, the productive Pettis, with 229 receptions for 2,838 yards and 39 touchdowns, would be a nice complimentary receiver to develop behind Pittsburgh’s already deep group.

Previous selection: Lee Smith, TE, Marshall

Sixth Round, 196th Overall: Da-Rel Scott, RB, Maryland

Elsa/Getty Images

CHESTNUT HILL, MA - NOVEMBER 29: Da'Rel Scott #23 of the Maryland Terrapins carries the ball in the first half against the Boston College Eagles on November 29, 2008 at Alumni Stadium in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

As with the last mock draft, Da-Rel Scott maintains this draft spot.

The Steelers are in need of a third back, as Mewelde Moore is an aging free agent and Jonathan Dwyer is a big question mark.

Scott would be a change of pace back, running a 4.34 40-yard dash and could be a true playmaker in Pittsburgh’s backfield.

Previous selection: Da-Rel Scott, RB Maryland

Seventh Round, 232nd Overall: Keith Williams, OG, Nebraska

Eric Francis/Getty Images

LINCOLN, NE - SEPTEMBER 04: Head Coach Bo Pelini of the Nebraska Cornhuskers talks with Keith Williams #68 during a break in second half action of their game against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at Memorial Stadium on September 4, 2010 in Lincoln, Neb

To finish out the draft, Keith Williams would be another option for the Steelers to consider at guard.

They had a number of players play right guard last season and Williams could throw his name in the hat this training camp.

As the most experienced starter along Nebraska’s offensive line with 34 starts, Williams was one of the key components to a team that rushed for over 200 yards 10 times, including two games over 300 yards and one other game over 450 yards.

Nebraska led the Big 12 in rushing last season, and for his efforts Williams was named second-team All-Big 12.

Previous selection: Armon Binns, WR, Cincinnati

Your Thoughts

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 23: Pittsburgh Steelers fans tailgate prior to their 2011 AFC Championship game against the New York Jets at Heinz Field on January 23, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

As with my last draft, I used the first three rounds to address the Steelers three biggest needs: defensive line, cornerback and offensive line. Each player should develop into a starter within a year or two.

Beyond the third round, Pittsburgh would get more depth at cornerback, as well as depth along the offensive line. Two offensive skill position players could make an impact as the season progresses, just as last year’s sixth round selection, Antonio Brown, did.

How do you feel about these selections? Did I make a mistake not selecting a cornerback in round one? Which selections would you change? Did this draft address all of the Steelers’ needs? Please let me know your thoughts.

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