32. Pittsburgh Steelers

-Trade Down

The reason there is no consensus on how the Steelers will draft, I think it’s safe to say there are no players that “fit” well enough to select at 32.  I know it’s not the popular thing to do, but Pittsburgh has very few needs, and since the value may not be there with their first pick, expect a trade to somewhere in the middle of the second round. A huge part of Pittsburgh’s draft success comes from their self-restraint, not reaching excessively based on need.

There will be several interior linemen available to them, but correct me if i’m wrong, Pittsburgh is stock full of guards and right tackles. They need a quick left tackle to protect Ben Roethlisberger, and they could also use a replacement for Bryant McFadden at CB. Nearly every single position has a solid starter penciled in, minus those two positions. What is needed is additional depth behind a few aging starters along the defensive line. The second round is precisely the time to grab those future starters (Jarron Gilbert DL, Ron Brace NT) on the d-line and at center (Alex Mack, Eric Wood).

The simple truth is this: the Steelers could use a few linemen, but only 5 OL have been chosen by them in the first 2 rounds since 1990 (2 OG, 3 OT). Only one of those OT’s was chosen in round 1 (1996). Pittsburgh likes to get impact players in the first round, but there aren’t many around at the end of round 1. Expect lots of help in the trenches to come in round 2-7.

-Percy Harvin (WR/Florida)

Percy Harvin (NFL.com)

Word on the street is despite a jaw-dropping workout, the character of Percy Harvin is scaring off quite a few potential suitors. If he falls as far as some have speculated (to the end of the first round), watch out AFC North because the Steelers could have themselves a player as dangerous as Devin Hester.  Assuming Pittsburgh has to move up only a few spots, it is entirely possible they will snatch a player that could take their offense to another level. If they are lucky, they might not even have to trade up to get him.

-Alex Mack (C/California)

Alex Mack (NFL.com)

Steeler nation missed their beloved running game last year. Ben Roethlisberger was involved in more passes than usual. The injury to rookie HB Rashard Mendenhall hurt a great deal, too. Judging from the players brought in to the team facility, the Behind the Steel Curtain blog reports that there is

“an emphasis on improving the running game, particularly power running. [Phil] Loadholt, the only OT, is a massive RT candidate whose strength is run blocking. [Herman] Johnson is the biggest guard prospect in the draft and [Louis] Vasquez is not far behind. The only TE brought in, Richard Quinn, is a superior blocker with limited receiving ability. The only RB, Frank Summers, is a miniature tank who Steelers RB coach Kirby Wilson described as one of the toughest guys to tackle he has seen.”

Among the group of visitors were 3 centers: A.Q. Shipley (Penn St), Max Unger (Oregon), and Alex Mack (Cal). The latter is an accomplished run and pass blocker, and has the great intelligence expected of centers in the NFL. He has been described by NFLdraftscout as possessing an aggressive football mentality:

once he steps on the football field, that nice persona is left in the locker room and his nasty demeanor takes over….Mack is the type who will do whatever it takes to finish his blocks. He plays and practices with true aggression and is the type that will play through pain. He has strong leadership qualities on and off the field. He is an intense competitor on the field who loves the game, likes the challenge and will leave his all on the football field. His tenacity is evident and he will not hesitate to throw an elbow to put a defender down.

However unlikely it may seem, if the Steelers stay at home with the 32nd pick, they might fall in love with Alex Mack. He is one heckofa football player.

See entire Hybrid Mock Draft here

This is the last pick of the mock draft. Make sure to vote because  over the next few days I will tally up all the votes and reveal my picks compared to your own! Also, thanks to all of you who followed this experiment in its entirety. It means a great deal to me.

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