2011 NFL Draft: Pittsburgh Steelers Rookie Outlook

Last season, Pittsburgh Steelers President Art Rooney II stated that he wanted rookies to make an impact. They came through in a big way.

First-round draft choice Maurkice Pouncey started all but one game, the Super Bowl, due to an ankle injury. Expected to challenge for the starting right guard position, Pouncey went above and beyond, earning the starting role at center as well as a Pro Bowl berth.

Pouncey wasn’t alone on offense. Third and sixth-round rookie receivers Emmanuel Sanders and Antonio Brown both developed as the season went on and made clutch plays in both the final stretch of the season and playoffs. Each player expects to have an expanded role this season.

While Pittsburgh didn’t get a true impact player on defense, they did have their rookie linebackers, second-round choice Jason Worilds and fifth-round choice Stevenson Sylvester, make an impact as two of the Steelers top special teams players. They each also flashed their skills in the base defense in very limited action but could see more playing time this year.

There is no reason to expect that the 2011 season would be any different for Mike Tomlin and his coaching staff. Rookies will be expected to make an impact, but how much is still a question, particularly with the lack of offseason workouts due to the NFL lockout.

Cameron Heyward, DE

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COLUMBUS, OH - SEPTEMBER 05: Defensive lineman Cameron Heyward #97 of the Ohio State Buckeyes takes off from the line of scrimmage against the Navy Midshipmen at Ohio Stadium on September 5, 2009 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

As with any first-round selection, Cameron Heyward will be expected to make an immediate impact on the Steelers defense and he should, just not in a starting role.

Ziggy Hood, Pittsburgh’s 2009 first-round draft pick, took over a full season to develop. He was able to get some playing time as a rookie, but he also had a major transition into the 3-4 defense.

Now that he is comfortable, Hood has the look of an impact defensive lineman.

Heyward is more of a natural 3-4 defensive end and should have no problem transitioning into Pittsburgh’s defense.

The 6’5”, 294 Heyward already has the size that Pittsburgh looks for in its ends but will have to get strong to match up against the NFL’s top tackles.

Expect Heyward to slowly be eased into the lineup as a backup to right defensive end Brett Keisel.

Heyward will be the fourth defensive end off the bench, not that it is an issue. It will help keep Keisel’s and Aaron Smith’s legs fresh to have two young ends spell them.

Like Hood, playing Heyward in a very limited role will help him develop slowly as his techniques are built up by defensive line coach John Mitchell.

Marcus Gilbert, OT

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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

While Heyward can easily transition in and out of the lineup on defense, the same cannot be said for Marcus Gilbert.

The 6’6” tackle from Florida will rejoin center Maurkice Pouncey on the Steelers offensive line where he can play both the left and right tackle position, possibly even guard.

The likely scenario is that Gilbert will sit and learn behind right tackle Flozell Adams. After refining his pass protection and improving on run blocking, Gilbert would be in position to start in his second season.

The best case scenario is that Gilbert is able to pick up both the left and right tackle positions so he can earn the top backup role over Jonathan Scott.

Given the Steelers line troubles and injuries over the years, it is a good bet that they will need Gilbert to step up at some point this season.

Curtis Brown, CB

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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

With Ike Taylor and William Gay both free agents, Curtis Brown could end up on the depth chart anywhere between dime back and starting cornerback.

For the health of Pittsburgh’s defensive backfield, they need to sign Taylor, and there is also a decent chance that they keep Gay as well.

Brown had success as a cover corner in college, and he will also step up and defend against the run.

As a rookie, he should at the very least compete for the nickel back position. If he doesn’t earn it coming out of training camp, Brown should be in that spot by the end of the season.

Brown will be the key for an improved secondary. Coming out of a pass-happy Big 12 in college, he will have to use every bit of his experiences against top receivers in the NFL. Last season, he did not have a ball thrown his way until the sixth game of the season.

At the very least, Brown will be another talented special teams player that will be used to help improve their coverage units.

Cortez Allen, CB

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GAINESVILLE, FL - NOVEMBER 22: Carl Moore #16 of the Florida Gators catches a pass against Cortez Allen #13 of the Citadel Bulldogs during the game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on November 22, 2008 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty I

Coming out of the Citadel, Cortez Allen is one of the most athletic, disciplined and hard-working athletes that the Steelers selected this season. He is also a project.

At 6’1”, Allen is the same size as Taylor but does not have the same elite speed.

As a rookie, Allen will likely have to slowly be developed and may not dress on game days unless he surprises early on.

One way that he can make an impact is if he can play on special teams.

Chris Carter, OLB

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PITTSBURGH - APRIL 30: Thaddeus Gibson #90 of the Pittsburgh Steelers listens to Keith Butler the Linebackers coach during mini camp at the Pittsburgh Steelers Training Facility on April 30, 2010 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Gett

The Steelers may have found another fifth-round steal at linebacker for linebacker coach Keith Butler to work with. Last season, it was Stevenson Sylvester, and this year it may be Chris Carter.

Carter will need time to develop as he transitions to outside linebacker, but he told Steelers.com that he has been working with Willie McGinest to help him with this transition.

Carter also mentioned that he watched a lot of James Harrison in college. Not a bad player to model your game after.

As of now, Carter’s strength is as a speed rusher and will have to further his overall skills as a pass-rusher.

The likely scenario is that Carter will play the same role that Worilds did last season. The only action that he will see in the base defense is if there is an injury or a blowout.

Carter’s real chance will be what he can do on special teams. Worilds and Stevenson were both great in that area last season, and the coaches see a very good future for both players. Carter can make that same type of impression.

Keith Williams, OG

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LINCOLN, NE - OCTOBER 30: Running back Roy Helu Jr. #10 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers , with the help of teammates offensive linesman Jeremiah Sirles #71 and offensive linesman Keith Williams #68 break a long run against the Missouri Tigers during second

Offensive guard is one of the deepest areas on the Steelers roster. It is also one of the areas that is in the need of improvement.

Only Chris Kemoeatu is at least an average starter.

Trai Essex, Doug Legurksy and Ramon Foster all rotated in and out of the lineup at right guard. Second-year player, Chris Scott, could also compete at guard.

Keith Williams has a mean streak while run blocking as a member of the physical Nebraska offensive line. His pass blocking needs a lot of work.

With Sean Kugler on board, he may want to build his own offensive line which could give Williams and edge over his competitors.

Still, Williams will really have to show signs of being a quality player as a rookie, including being able to play both left and right guard. The rest of the Steelers options at guard have starting experience, and that is tough to get rid of.

Williams may find himself on the practice squad.

Baron Batch, RB

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HOUSTON - SEPTEMBER 26: Running back Baron Batch #25 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders rushes for a touchdown against the Houston Cougars at Robertson Stadium on September 26, 2009 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Thomas B. Shea/Getty Images)

Pittsburgh is in need of running back depth behind Rashard Mendenhall and Isaac Redman. Baron Batch will compete with Jonathan Dwyer for the role as third-string running back.

Batch comes from the pass-happy Texas Tech offense where he ran for over 800 yards the last two seasons.

What makes him a valuable asset, though, is his experience in a passing offense.

Pittsburgh is in need a third-down back, and Batch is very good at catching balls out of the backfield where he can use his speed and quick feet to make plays. He is also noted for his skills picking up the blitz.

If he earns a spot, Batch could see plenty of time on both special teams and in passing situations.

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