2012 NFL Mock Draft: 7-Round Pittsburgh Steelers Predictions

As the season crosses into the second act, it’s never too early to take a look ahead at what the 2012 NFL draft might bring. Team needs are becoming pretty clear, particularly in Pittsburgh, where some of the usual suspects have once again reared their heads.

Here’s a look at what we might be able to expect as a return for the Steelers’ next draft. It’s incredibly early, but here’s a full seven-round mock of how things could unfold.

Feel free to comment and offer up your own selections or thoughts!

Round 1: Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

School History

The Steelers have made a habit out of taking players from Ohio State early in the draft. They’ve gotten value in those picks, too, so far. Adams is another top prospect from that pipeline and seems like a perfect fit for this point in the round.

Needy Position

If you think the Steelers will be able to ignore their offensive line in this draft, then you’re crazy. Marcus Gilbert has been solid, but the team had to go out and get Max Starks for the other side as a quick fix. They’ll get the chance with Adams to groom a successor for Starks or to allow Gilbert to move inside to guard.

The Player Himself

Adams is a big, sturdy tackle who gets great push off the line, can get to the second level and is adept at run and pass blocking. One thing that I love is that he’s used to blocking for athletic quarterbacks, so he knows the game of holding blocks as long as possible. That will serve him well with Ben Roethlisberger behind him.

Round 2: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

Needy Position

The Steelers have gotten a little production out of Cortez Allen and Curtis Brown, but they need more at the position. Keenan Lewis has been mediocre in his first real career action, and William Gay has been solid at times, but has proven again that he is not a viable long-term starter.

Time Matters

The Steelers also have to face the fact that Ike Taylor, who’s having a career season, isn’t getting younger. Even if Brown or Allen develops into a top starter, they’ll still eventually need someone else to groom. The Steelers secondary has gotten great reviews most of the season, but they are the product of a weak schedule for passing opponents.

The Player Himself

Gilmore is one of the better zone guys in the draft—something Dick LeBeau needs for his defensive scheme to work. He’s a good blitz corner, too—something the team really lacks at this time. He also plays good man coverage and can press at the line. The Steelers, especially in light of the last drive by Baltimore on Sunday night, need corners who can do just that.

Round 3: Lucas Nix, G, Pittsburgh

Versatility

Nix can play two positions along the line, having started at both right guard and right tackle for the Pittsburgh Panthers. The Steelers value this type of player because they never seem to know where the problems will emerge on the line. They’ve gotten productive work from guys like Doug Legursky and Ramon Foster mostly because they can be used at different spots.

Depth Concerns

The Steelers have had a clinic this year on what happens when offensive linemen get hurt. They also found out that their depth at the position is a slippery downward slope from adequate to awful. They had to go outside the organization to find help—something that costs money and puts the team in a bad situation.

The Player Himself

Nix has been in and out of the third- or fourth-round mocks that I’ve been monitoring all season, mostly because he’s got issues with zone blocking schemes and some technique glitches that limit his effectiveness when you project him into an NFL spot. He’s probably better for a guard position and will need some coaching. He is a tough player, however, and has a Doug Legursky-type of approach. He seems like a possibly good fit and a nice project for Sean Kugler.

Round 4: Trumaine Johnson, CB, Montana

Big Plays

The Steelers lack a corner who can produce big turnovers. Ike Taylor is the team’s best corner, and his hands of stone are almost legendary. Johnson is a guy who has a lengthy history of making interceptions. He also has the speed to put points on the board once he takes a ball from the offense. That’s invaluable to a team that hasn’t generated much in the turnover area.

Return Guys

Johnson has a lot of speed and athletic ability. He has done some work on returns and could be a potential fit there in the NFL. The Steelers have a perfect option for returns in Antonio Brown, but if he gets too involved in the offense, it would be nice to have another option for that aspect of the game.

The Player Himself

Johnson is another guy like Nix: a great prospect with some holes in the game. He’s from a relatively small school, something the Steelers seem to value and work well with (Ike Taylor and Mike Wallace are just two examples of their prowess with growing small school talent in the NFL). He’s not consistent, which is something that’s coach-able. He could blossom into a big-play starter or he could find a niche in the nickel. Either way, the Steelers need him.

Round 5: Chris Gallipo, OLB, USC

The Running Joke

I think it’s become illegal for the Steelers to come away from a draft without a linebacker. They have drafted at least one (many times more) every year under Mike Tomlin, and the position was routinely addressed by Bill Cowher as well. The fifth round seems like a good spot to pick up another guy.

Depth and Age

The Steelers have to face some facts. James Harrison, James Farrior and Larry Foote aren’t getting any younger. They’re all over 30, and at least two are probably headed toward the downside of their careers. Injuries start to pile up and high motors start to slow down. Their replacements wait in the wings (hopefully), but the replacements for the replacements are not clear yet.

The Player Himself

Gallipo would be a square peg right now, having played mostly 4-3 at USC, but he has the athleticism to play outside in a 3-4. He can also play in the middle—something that the Steelers love in their linebackers (look how valuable it was to have Lawrence Timmons able to play outside while James Harrison was out). He’s got a lot of growing to do, but he’s a prospect similar to last year’s linebacker pick: Chris Carter.

Round 6: Carson Wiggs, K, Purdue

Needy Position

Truthfully, a punter would be fine, too. The Steelers need to look around for some new specialists. Jeremy Kapinos may prove yet to be a full-time, permanent fit at punter, so I decided to look in at kickers. Shaun Suisham has been mostly solid for the Steelers, but his weaker leg and tendency to miss shorter kicks at times is beyond frustrating.

Risky Business

The Steelers would be taking a risk by using a draft pick on a kicker. The truth, however, is that they cannot really afford to spend big money on a kicker in free agency, so drafting someone who would come cheap is the better course. They’re still searching for a reliable replacement for Jeff Reed. Suisham was just the best choice in a small market on short notice.

The Player Himself

Wiggs is a strong-legged guy who’s got good accuracy numbers. There’s not much else to really note with kickers. He could likely improve the team’s kickoff length and also their field-goal percentage, neither of which is terribly bad, but they could be much better.

Round 7: Jordan Jefferson, QB, LSU

Depth Concerns

Ben Roethlisberger isn’t going anywhere, but that doesn’t mean the team is set at the quarterback position. Byron Leftwich has missed each of the last two seasons with injuries (part of last year and all of this one). Charlie Batch is the team’s Methuselah. His retirement has to be coming. Dennis Dixon, the petulant child, is looking for a starting job and will likely head off to another team.

The team needs someone new to groom behind Roethlisberger so that there’s depth in place should he get hurt.

Late-Round Ideas

The late rounds of the draft are great value areas where teams can find players who aren’t necessarily a need, but that fit as a project or depth guy. If nothing else, they cost nothing in the long run if they don’t pan out. Why not get a player with some experience who might develop into a nice backup or complimentary piece?

The Player Himself

"Athletic" is a great way to describe the guy. He can take off on the run or throw with a strong, accurate arm. He’s a pretty good prospect, but he doesn’t project well in an NFL system. Still, I get the feeling that the Steelers will look for an athletic quarterback that can do multiple things over a poor man’s Roethlisberger or a pocket passer. Jefferson fits that bill, and his effort is a nice bonus.