2011 NFL Draft: The Pittsburgh Steelers' Top 5 Draft Needs
It is draft week, and in just a few days, the Pittsburgh Steelers will be adding the next generation of players.
Coming off a Super Bowl appearance, the Steelers are set at most positions, but like every team in the NFL, they do have their holes.
This year’s draft is particularly interesting because of the lockout. Teams have not been able to determine what would happen with their own free agents, let alone sign any players.
It is almost as though the Steelers are heading into the draft blind, particularly not knowing the status of top defenders LaMarr Woodley and Ike Taylor.
Pittsburgh will have to move forward regardless to help build their team not only for next year, but for the future.
Low Needs
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The Steelers, like any other team, could use an upgrade or extra depth at every position. With only seven rounds though, it will never be possible to achieve that.
What is certain is that the Steelers are pretty deep at quarterback, and while they can always take a linebacker, they currently have a pretty good group both as starters and reserves.
A couple of luxury areas of need include back-up tight end and back-up safety.
Pittsburgh runs the two tight-end set more often then not, and they need a legitimate second receiving option at tight end who can also block well. Current backup, Matt Spaeth, isn’t particularly good at either.
Back-up safety is also a need, with what seems to be yearly injuries for Troy Polamalu. Pittsburgh needs dependable back-up safeties to step in when needed. While Ryan Mundy and Will Allen are adequate, both could be upgraded.
This draft isn’t particularly deep at safety or tight end, and as a result, these positions will be low on the draft need scale.
Potential Selections (TE): Luke Stocker, Tennessee; Julius Thomas, Portland State; Weslye Saunders, South Carolina
Potential Selections (S): Ahmad Black, Florida; Davon Morgan, Virginia Tech; Dom DiCicco, Pitt
5. Back-up Running Back
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Rashard Mendenhall is the established starter, and Isaac Redman is a good looking backup, but behind these two is a big question mark.
Mewelde Moore, a free agent, is unlikely to be re-signed due to his diminishing skills over the past two seasons. Pittsburgh's other running back, Jonathan Dwyer, was thought of as a draft day steal last season, but showed relatively little as a rookie. No one is sure what he will be capable of in his second year.
Even if Dwyer pans out, the Steelers would not be hurt from a fourth option at running back. If nothing else, they would provide competition for training camp.
Potential Selections: Demarco Murray, Oklahoma; Taiwan Jones, Eastern Washington; Noel Devine, West Virginia; Da’Rel Scott, Maryland
4. Back-up Wide Receiver
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On the surface, Pittsburgh appears to be set at wide receiver with third-year player Mike Wallace and second-year players Emmanuel Sanders and Antonio Brown.
However, veterans Hines Ward and Antwaan Randle El are nearing the end of their careers.
It was not a mistake that the Steelers brought in seven late-round prospects at receiver to visit the team facility in Pittsburgh. The Steelers are clearly looking to get a late-round steal at wide receiver as they did with Brown last season.
If they do draft a receiver late, they will simply be a developmental player, given the current depth at the position, but they could be looking at stepping into a back-up role in their second year.
One year of development does wonders for receivers.
Potential Selections: Jon Baldwin, Pitt; Randall Cobb, Kentucky; Leonard Hankerson, Miami; Edmund Gates, Abilene Christian; Greg Little, North Carolina; Denarius Moore, Tennessee; Austin Pettis, Boise State; Vincent Brown, San Diego State; Tyler Beiler, Bridgewater; Dwight Daisher, Middle Tennessee State
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3. Offensive Line
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Every year the draft comes around, and every year the talk is whether or not the Steelers will draft an offensive lineman high.
Last year they finally used a first-round selection on Maurkice Pouncey, giving them their first bona-fide star on the line since Alan Faneca.
Beyond Pouncey though, only left tackle Max Starks can be considered above average.
The Steelers could use an upgrade over Chris Kemoeatu at left guard, but that is unlikely due to his contract. That leaves a gaping hole at right guard, where Trai Essex, Doug Legursky and Ramon Foster all started last season. Flozell Adams also plans on returning next season, and the Steelers may select a right tackle to be his understudy for one year.
Despite the need, Pittsburgh has made two of the last three Super Bowls with a bad offensive line.
But there is no doubt if there is an opportunity to draft a top-quality lineman, whether it is a guard or tackle, the Steelers will jump on it.
Potential Selections (G): Mike Pouncey, Florida; Ben Ijalana, Villanova; Danny Watkins, Baylor; Marcus Cannon, TCU; Stefen Wisniewski, Penn State; Rodney Hudson, Florida State; Jason Pinkston, Pitt; Keith Williams, Nebraska
2. Defensive Line
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Even with all three starters well into their 30’s, the Steelers have one of the best 3-4 defensive lines in the league.
Ziggy Hood has established himself as a viable alternative to Aaron Smith, but the Steelers still need to look ahead to finding a replacement for Brett Keisel. They need to do the same for Casey Hampton, whose top back-up—Chris Hoke—is older than he is.
Pittsburgh put a strong emphasis on defensive linemen with their pre-draft visits, bringing in seven prospects, including three players who are expected to be first or second-round picks.
The game is won and lost in the trenches, and if Pittsburgh wants to maintain its elite-level defense, it is essential they maintain a strong defensive line. So it is very possible Pittsburgh spends their first-round selection on a defensive lineman.
Potential Selections (DE): Cameron Jordan, California; J.J. Watt, Wisconsin; Cameron Heyward, Ohio State; Allen Bailey, Miami
Potential Selections (DT): Stephen Paea, Oregon State; Phil Taylor, Baylor; Muhammad Wilkerson, Temple; Kenrick Ellis, Hampton; Jerrell Powe, Ole Miss; Zach Clayton, Auburn; Corbin Bryant, Northwestern; Anthony Gray, Southern Miss; Frank Kearse, Alabama A&M
1. Cornerback
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It is no mystery the Steelers' top need is at cornerback.
However, not many teams can find a top- notch cornerback with the 31st selection in the first round. Pittsburgh may have to put off their top need until the second round, meaning they will likely have the same starters as they did last season.
Ike Taylor, who is now in his 30’s, is a free agent, and there could be a bidding war on him once free agency begins.
If the Steelers lose him, which they simply cannot afford, they would have Bryant McFadden take over the No. 1 role. Last year he was burned early and often, especially after he suffered through some injuries. William Gay, who is also a free agent, would likely be re-signed to man the other starting spot.
That is a scary scenario, and whether Taylor is signed or not, Pittsburgh needs to add a top prospect at the position early in the draft.
Potential Selections: Ras-I Dowling, Virginia; Jimmy Smith, Colorado; Brandon Harris, Miami; Aaron Williams, Texas; Curtis Brown, Texas; Johnny Patrick, Louisville; Chimdi Chekwa, Ohio State; Davon House, New Mexico State; Jalil Brown, Colorado; Chykie Brown, Texas; Buster Skrine, Chattanooga; Curtis Marsh, Utah State; Cortez Allen, Citadel
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