2011 NFL Draft: Pittsburgh Steelers Draft Board
One of the most interesting things to look at prior to the draft is the prospect visits.
The Pittsburgh Steelers brought in 30 prospects from around college football as well as a number of local players who played at Pitt.
While there is no guarantee that the Steelers will take any of these players, it does provide some insight on what direction they are heading.
In fact, the pre-draft visits have been significant in the last two drafts.
According to the lists compiled by Steelers Depot for the 2009 and 2010 pre-draft visits, a combined seven players who visited Pittsburgh’s facilities prior to the draft were selected.
From the 2009 visits, Joe Burnett (5th round), Frank Summers (5th round), Ra’Shon Harris (6th round) and A.Q. Shipley (7th round) were all selected by the Steelers. Interestingly enough, none of them remain on the roster.
Pittsburgh had more success with visiting prospects from the 2010 draft where Maurkice Pouncey (1st), Emmanuel Sanders (3rd) and Antonio Brown (6th) not only are on the roster, but each made an impact as a rookie.
So what does the 2011 draft bring? Here is a position-by-position breakdown of the Steelers draft board.
Running Backs
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On the offensive side of the ball, Pittsburgh did not bring in any quarterbacks so let’s begin with the running backs.
Mewelde Moore has really slowed down over the past two seasons and is a free agent. There is a good chance that he is not re-signed, leaving Pittsburgh with a need at running back.
Taiwan Jones (Eastern Washington) has elite speed that allowed him to dominate in two years of starting.
Jones averaged 7.7 yards per carry and had 29 touchdowns. He also uses his 4.33 40 when catching the ball out of the backfield, averaging 14.1 yards per reception.
Like Jones, potential sixth round selection Da’Rel Scott (Maryland) has excellent speed, running the 40-yard dash in 4.34 seconds.
Scott has decent size as well, weighing 211 pounds, 15 more than Jones.
Either player would be an excellent addition to Pittsburgh’s backfield and would provide the Steelers with an explosive playmaker all while taking a low risk as each is a low-level prospect.
Local product Dion Lewis is an unlikely selection, even as a sixth or seventh round pick, as he does not fit the Steelers offensive-style. Teammate Henry Hynoski, however, would be an excellent fit.
Hynoski is an all-around fullback who has displayed the ability to be an outstanding blocker as well as a solid runner and receiver. His versatility is exactly what Mike Tomlin likes in his players.
More importantly, he would be more effective than current H-back David Johnson.
Hynoski is projected as high as the fifth round.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
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Given the number of wide receivers (eight) who have visited with the Steelers, it is quite evident that they are looking to add depth later in the draft.
This is likely because Hines Ward and Antwaan Randle El are nearing the end of their respective careers.
Pittsburgh does have a good, young trio in place with third year player Mike Wallace and second year players Emmanuel Sanders and Antonio Brown.
The highest rated prospect that the Steelers brought in was former Pitt star Jon Baldwin.
Baldwin has everything you want in a receiver with his 6’4” frame and 4.50 40 speed. But for all of the athletic abilities, Baldwin has been inconsistent and even lazy at times.
Still, if he is available in the second round, he could be too good to pass up because when he wants to, Baldwin can dominate.
The other prospects that visited with Pittsburgh are all rated as fourth round selections or lower.
They include Edmund Gates (Abilene Christian), Greg Little (North Carolina), Denarius Moore (Tennessee), Austin Pettis (Boise State), Vincent Brown (San Diego State), Tyler Beiler (Bridgewater) and Dwight Daisher (Middle Tennessee State).
Gates is an interesting prospect who is best known for his speed, running a 4.31 40. He comes from the same school as fellow speedster, and current Chicago Bear, Johnny Knox and will hope to follow in his footsteps.
Other names to keep an eye on are Little and Pettis. Each player is nearly 6’3” and would provide Pittsburgh with the size that they have been looking for at receiver.
Little has plenty of ability but lacks experience at receiver which could hold him back while Pettis has three years of starting behind him along with 39 career touchdowns. While more productive than Little, Pettis lacks the athleticism and strength to get off blocks and could have trouble getting open in the NFL.
Pittsburgh also visited with two late round tight end prospects. They were Julius Thomas (Portland State) and Weslye Saunders (South Carolina).
Neither player is exceptionally productive nor athletic, but both are very big bodies.
Thomas has a greater upside, but only has one year of experience after previously playing basketball.
Offensive Line
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Pittsburgh invested a lot in their visits with offensive linemen just as they did with the receiver position.
Unlike receiver, most of the offensive linemen have high grades.
The list is headlined by Marcus Cannon (TCU) who can play both guard and tackle and is projected as a late first to second round pick.
Cannon would be a nice fit for the Steelers as he is a massive blocker, weighing in at 358 pounds, which would fit right in with Pittsburgh’s interior.
Cannon could work on his pass blocking but should be able to be a solid player in establishing a physical ground attack.
If the Steelers look in his direction, they may have to trade down into the second round because he would be a slight reach in the first round.
There are a number of second and third round picks that are more realistic options including offensive tackles James Carpenter (Alabama) and Marcus Gilbert (Florida).
Both players played against high-level competition in the SEC and are projected as future starters at either left or right tackle. Carpenter gets the edge as he played in a pro-style offense at Alabama.
If the Steelers looked towards the interior, they could go with Rodney Hudson (Florida State) or Jason Pinkston (Pitt).
Both players are relatively undersized compared to their peers but still are expected to start.
Pinkston played tackle at Pitt but should shift to guard in the NFL. He has played at Heinz Field and in a pro-style offense so he should have a smoother transition to the NFL than some of the other prospects, but he does have a limited upside.
Hudson was named the best blocker in the ACC two years in a row and was a four-year starter at Florida State. He is said to have a high football IQ, which served Steelers first round selection, Maurkice Pouncey, well last season.
Hudson would have to bulk up from his current 299 pounds, but there is no doubt that he could be a successful guard at the next level and would be a good second round pick.
Keith Williams (Nebraska) and Jarriel King (South Carolina) are two late round prospects that visited in Pittsburgh.
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Defensive Line
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Pittsburgh is not keeping their needs a secret. They brought in seven defensive linemen, including three prospects rated as first or second round selections.
Cameron Jordan (California) could be Pittsburgh’s first round selection if he falls to them.
Jordan comes from an NFL bloodline as his father played professionally and he should follow in his father’s footsteps.
Jordan has the ideal size for a 3-4 defensive end standing at 6’4” 287 pounds and would give Pittsburgh two good young players, along with Ziggy Hood, to have for their future defensive line.
As an all-round defender, Jordan is good against the run, can get his arms in the passing lane to bat down balls and can get to the quarterback. He would fit perfectly in the Brett Keisel mold at right end.
If Pittsburgh wants a true run-stopper, they may take Phil Taylor (Baylor) in the first or Kendrick Ellis (Hampton) in the second.
Taylor weights in at 334 pounds while Ellis is 346 pounds. Both are taller than Hampton, but their massive bodies should allow them to occupy two blockers to help free up Pittsburgh’s linebackers to make plays.
Sixth and seventh round prospect visits include Corbin Bryant (Northwestern), Zach Clayton (Auburn), Anthony Gray (Southern Miss) and Frank Kearse (Alabama A&M).
The small school Kearse did impress scouts and worked out individually for the Steelers according to Gil Brandt.
Linebackers
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While Pittsburgh could always use depth at linebacker, they did not invest many visits for the position.
Mario Harvey (Marshall) was the only inside linebacker who visited with the team and he is only projected as a late round pick.
Harvey is undersized, at only 5’11”, but ran a very impressive 4.46 40.
He was an all-conference player and is expected to be an excellent special team’s player and has upside as a potential starter for a late round pick. Pittsburgh already found a late round gem in Stevenson Sylvester last year, maybe it can be Harvey this season.
After drafting two outside linebackers last season, Pittsburgh did not visit any this year beyond Pitt products Jabaal Sheard and Greg Romeus.
These players are projected between rounds two and four and were very productive pass rushers while at Pitt. Both would have to transition from 4-3 defensive end to outside linebackers in the Steelers’ scheme.
Defensive Backs
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Everyone knows that Pittsburgh needs a cornerback, but will they be able to get one of good value?
Aaron Williams (Texas) and Ras-I Dowling (Virginia) are borderline first round picks who are likely to be available for the Steelers when they are on the clock with the 31st selection.
But is either player worth a first round selection?
Williams projects as a cornerback or safety and should be a quality starter, but will he be the shutdown cornerback that the Steelers need? He lacks speed, evident in his 4.50 40 and only has four interceptions in three years.
Dowling could have been a legitimate first round prospect if not for injury issues. He has great size and speed, 6’2”, 4.40 40, and is a playmaker with eight career interceptions.
If the Steelers decide to wait for better value, they could go with Curtis Brown (Texas) or Johnny Patrick (Louisville).
Each player has the physical tools to be a starter in the NFL but will need time to develop.
Brown is the faster player while Patrick demonstrated his playmaking abilities last season, posting five interceptions.
Fourth and fifth round prospects that visited Pittsburgh included Buster Skrine (Chattanooga), Curtis Marsh (Utah State) and Cortez Allen (Citadel).
The Steelers could also use depth at safety, however this is a weak safety class and they may not go in that direction.
Only Davon Morgan (Virginia Tech) and Dom DiCicco (Pitt) met in Pittsburgh.
Mock Draft
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With Pittsburgh’s draft board in place, which players do you want to see in a Steelers uniform come draft weekend? Conversely, who do you want to stay away from? Post your comments and prospect visit mock in the comments section.
Steelers Prospect Visit Mock Draft
1 – Phil Taylor, DT, Baylor
2 – Curtis Brown, CB, Texas
3 – Marcus Gilbert, OT, Florida
4 – Taiwan Jones, RB, Eastern Washington
5 – Greg Little, WR, North Carolina
6 – Keith Williams, OG, Nebraska
7 – Mario Harvey, ILB, Marshall
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