2011 NFL Draft Grades: Report Card for the Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers may have had a typically bland draft, but they certainly did some serious good with their seven picks.
The Steelers don't go much for trading up or down, and they don't usually pick players with flashy backgrounds. They do, however, usually get it right.
Here's a look at how the Steelers and their seven 2011 draft picks grade out.
Round 1: Cameron Heyward
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Where He Fits
I didn't like this pick when it happened, but looking back now, I was wrong. Heyward should be a stalwart along the defensive line for the next decade. It looks like that plan will be for him and Ziggy Hood to slowly but surely replace Aaron Smith and Brett Keisel. With both of the team's current starters over 30, it looks really good to have two guys waiting in the wings who will be able to take over when the time is right.
In the meantime, the depth along the defensive line looks better than in recent years.
Player Grade: A
There's no arguing this guy's talent. He's a do it all defensive end who could end up with some surprising numbers in this system. Look for him to push for playing time by the end of this year if not sooner.
Needs Grade: B
He fills a secondary need and will do so well, but the team had bigger needs that could have been addressed first. Either way, it does help with one of the team's better kept secret problems.
Overall: A-
Round 2: Marcus Gilbert
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Where He Fits
He'll slot in at one of the tackle spots eventually. Right now, my money is on right tackle. He'll sit behind Flozell Adams or maybe Willie Colon and learn before jumping in. When he does, he should be an excellent blocker. One of the best things about Gilbert is that he can hold his blocks, something that will come in handy when Ben Roethlisberger decides to wait for a play to appear.
He could be starting by season's end, although this is a tough offensive scheme to learn. The good news is Gilbert fits the scheme perfectly.
Player Grade: A-
Again, hard to argue with the talent here. Gilbert is a big, physical player who does things the way Pittsburgh likes.
Needs Grade: A+
No bigger need than along the offensive line and at corner. Filling either early was an excellent move.
Overall Grade: A
Round 3: Curtis Brown
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Where He Fits
Hopefully, he fits opposite Ike Taylor in a year or two. Either way, Brown will be a starter by 2012. His coverage skills are excellent and he can make plays when needed. He's a smart, steady player and instantly is the team's best corner (second best if you include Taylor).
There's no doubting that the team got a good player here, but in Dick LeBeau's system, rookies rarely get on the field (see Troy Polamalu for a perfect example). Once Brown learns the system, however, watch out.
Player Grade: B+
Brown wasn't the best corner in the draft, and the team passed on his teammate Aaron Williams and a couple of others, but he is a good player who should star in the NFL.
Needs Grade: A+
Again, no bigger need than at corner. Getting one early was essential to having a successful draft.
Overall Grade: A
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Round 4: Cortez Allen
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Where He Fits
He'll be in the mix to start eventually. He's one of those small school talents that Pittsburgh loves. They've had success there too (Mike Wallace, Joe Greene, Nate Washington, etc.). Allen is a good coverage guy who can make the big plays at times. He's got decent size and good speed. I'd say he will, at worst, top out as a good nickel corner.
After being subjected to William Gay in that role, fans are ready for anyone else to try. Look for Allen to get there once Curtis Brown moves into a starting role.
Player Grade: C+
He's a small school guy and the team picked him over several other well-regarded talents. He'll have to prove he's got the tools to play in the NFL.
Needs Grade: A+
The team needed more than one corner to add to the mix. Getting two back to back was a pretty good way to address the problems.
Overall Grade: B-
Round 5: Christopher Carter
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Where He Fits
The Steelers rarely have a draft go by without selecting a linebacker. They waited until round five this year, but they got some fresh blood in there with Christopher Carter from Fresno State. He's a good linebacker and should develop well behind the current starters. He's got the potential to play either inside or outside, but I think he'll eventually be an outside linebacker and pass rush specialist.
He's raw, but he has a lot of upside and potential. It will be interesting to see how he develops.
Player Grade: C+
Again, there were better players on the board, but the Steelers liked his makeup and skill set.
Needs Grade: C
Not much need for a linebacker right now, but you can never have too much depth there with the way the Steelers play defense.
Overall Grade: C
Round 6: Keith Williams
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Where He Fits
The Steelers needed a couple of new linemen, and they got them. Williams will be a little longer in coming than Marcus Gilbert, but he should eventually develop into a solid starter. The team looks to eventually need help at guard. If nothing else, it will be good for them to have someone besides Doug Legursky (who might start this year) to push Ramon Foster and Chris Kemoeatu, the current starters.
Look for Williams to take a year or two to develop before getting a chance to crack the lineup.
Player Grade: B-
Williams has good size and skills for this system, but it will take time to tap his talent and get him up to speed on the scheme. He was a good value this late, however.
Needs Grade: A+
They needed a tackle and a guard and they got them. No argument here.
Overall Grade: B+
Round 7: Baron Batch
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Where He Fits
I've said multiple times that the Steelers needed a speed back to go with the power of Rashard Mendenhall and Isaac Redman. They've got that in Batch (what a name, right?), who flashed good hands and great speed at Texas Tech. He can also play receiver and should be just what the doctor ordered on some passing downs.
He should replace the production of Mewelde Moore and also give the Steelers Willie Parker-type speed.
Player Grade: C
Batch isn't going to be an every-down starter. He doesn't need to be one here in Pittsburgh, however.
Needs Grade: B-
There wasn't a pressing need for a running back, but getting that speed was essential to making the offense more unpredictable.
Overall Grade: B-
Roundup
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So the Steelers get a defensive end, two corners, two offensive linemen, a linebacker and a running back. They filled their two biggest needs with two picks apiece and added some nice depth at other spots. They got a future stud in Heyward as well.
Like I said at the beginning, this is not a flashy draft class. It is, however, a deep one that should give the Steelers a lot of piece of mind when they go into free agency. They've plugged some major holes and given themselves a lot of flexibility.
Overall Draft Grade: A-
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