2011 Pittsburgh Steelers Draft Needs
Written by Steve Janus
The Pittsburgh Steelers weren’t expected to even make the playoff with starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger suspended for the first four games, but Pittsburgh went 3-1 without Big Ben and ended up finishing the season 12-4 on top the AFC North. Pittsburgh avenged home losses in the regular-season to Baltimore and New York in the postseason, but was unable to bring home another Super Bowl trophy, falling to the Green Bay Packers 31-25.
The Steelers are well-known for their ability to scout talent and continue to build within from the draft. The Steelers picked Maurkice Pouncey in the first round last year, and he ended up being a Pro Bowl center in his rookie season. The rest of the group didn’t do much outside of special teams, but with the way they develop players, look for this draft class to help out even more in 2011.
While the Steelers don’t have a ton of needs, there are some positions that they need to add some depth to for the long run. Here is a look at the top five needs the Steelers should address in the 2011 draft. Find out who we have the Steelers taking in the first round in our 2011 NFL Mock draft.
Right Guard: Even with the addition of Pouncey in last year’s draft, the Steelers could still use some help inside on the offensive line. Right guard has been one of the few weak spots on this team. Pittsburgh would love to get Maurkice’s brother Mike Pouncey, but it’s unlikely he will fall to No. 31. Danny Watkins out of Baylor is another option if they fill the need to address this position with their first round pick.
Right Tackle: It doesn’t appear likely that the Steelers will be able to bring back right tackle Willie Colon, and backup Flozell Adams isn’t a long term solution. Pittsburgh could go after Derek Sherrod if he falls in the first round, or wait and take a shot on someone like DeMarcus Love of Arkansas in the fourth round.
Cornerback: The Steelers have continued to try and get better at corner, but they haven’t had much success addressing this spot later in the draft. Unless one of the top corners fall to Pittsburgh in the first round, look for them to take a shot on someone like Johnny Patrick of Louisville in the second or Kendrick Burney of North Carolina in the third.
Defensive Line: This isn’t a huge need going into the 2011 season, but the starting three are getting up there in age. Ziggy Hood looks like a future starter at one of the defensive end spots, but more depth is needed at defensive tackle and the other end spot. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Steelers went after Ohio State defensive end Cameron Heyward with their first round pick. Heyward could develop behind the starters and be a force when needed to take the field.
Inside Linebacker: Here is another position that you won’t see a rookie starting in 2011 with the likes of James Farrior and Lawrence Timmons, but Pittsburgh needs to start planning for the future with the 36-year-old Farrior likely only having a couple years left in the tank. The Steelers could go after Quan Sturdivant of North Carolina if he falls to them in the third, or wait and take a guy like Nate Irving of Maryland or Casey Matthews of Oregon in the fourth.
Individual NFL Team Mock Drafts
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