If There was Only One Player the Steelers could Draft.....

...it would be the ILB for the Alabama Crimson Tide, Rolando McClain. He is the best defender in this draft, hands down. The only one who can even compare is Ndakumong Suh. There are so many aspects to his game, work ethic, and love for the game that would make him the perfect Pittsburgh Steeler. Here are a few reasons why I think he is the can't miss prospect in this draft:

1. McClain is an physical and athletic freak. He is 6'4", 256lbs. He can also fly: he has clocked an average of 4.65 in the 40 yard dash. He track players down in pursuit. He can make plays from sideline to sideline. He is as strong as an ox. He also closes extremely quick and makes his presence be known. Rarely can you find a player like McClain, who has the perfect blend to make a future All-Pro Linebacker.

2. He is an elite playmaker. As mentioned above, he is an incredible athlete. However, tons of guys have athleticism yet can't yield results. McClain is quite the opposite. McClain is a beast. McClain is the prototype ILB. He is a phenomenal tackling machine; rarely do you see anyone break out of a Rolando McClain tackle. Not only can he tackle, he can cover exceptionally well. The other night in the BCS Championship, I saw not only drop into coverage on multiple occasions, but he could keep up with Texas' very athletic TEs and slot WRs. In addition, he is also very good at rushing the passer. There were a few times the interior offensive linemen for the Longhorns were getting manhandled and blown up by McClain. Another feature that I liked in McClain was his ability to take on blockers, and then abruptly shed them and make tackles. On the few times that Texas did run the ball, McClain routinely got off his blocker and got around the play. His gameplay makes me go crazy. This year alone he has accumulated 105 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, 4 sacks, 2 interceptions, one forced fumble, and 4 passed defensed. WOW. Here is an excerpt from the ESPN NFL Draft Blog based on his performance of in the BCS National Championship game:

"Alabama ILB Rolando McClain also continued to impress with his overall game. McClain's imposing size (6-3½, 245), superior instincts and recognition skills and his unquestioned leadership make him the complete package. He gets his teammates in position and plays with the kind of passion teams want from inside linebackers.

McClain put his instincts on display on a third-down screen pass late in the first quarter, dropping initially but getting downhill as soon as he saw the running back turning back for the ball. He then took a great angle to the ball and exploded into RB Tre' Newton, stopping Newton for a loss and snuffing out a drive deep in Texas territory. He also made another big third-down play later in the game, dropping into underneath middle coverage, recognizing the angle route coming across the field and getting his hands on the ball and nearly intercepting it.

McClain also did a great job scraping down the line and making plays in the running game and he showed outstanding power as a blitzer. He timed up a blitz at one point and stunted inside, flat-out running over the guard and getting enough pressure to force and errant pass. McClain does not have blazing speed but makes up for it with instincts and angles, and while his 40-yard dash time might have something to say about where he's drafted the film doesn't lie and it shows a mid-first round prospect."

3. He is a leader on the field. The man is the Team Captain of the defense. Countless times, all year long, he is lining his teammates up in the right positions. He can be seen making audibles. He know his defense, and can adjust on the fly. Doing this all at the age of 20 is amazing and impressive.

4. He plays this game with all his heart and would rather die than sit on the sidelines. Here is yet another excerpt from the ESPN NFL Draft Blog:

"McClain (No. 6) played well despite a lingering bout with the stomach flu. The Tuscaloosa News reported that McClain planned on playing regardless of how he felt:

"To get onto the field, McClain had to be hydrated with two intravenous injections before the game. At halftime, he had another.

"'My team needed me,' McClain said. 'They needed me to be a leader and out there. I couldn't let them see that I was sick. I couldn't let them see that I wasn't 100 percent. For them, I'd do anything. I love them.'"

 This tells me all I need to know. He is simply the can't miss prospect in the upcoming draft. I would trade up in an instant if I could to get the ever talented McClain. He is just too dominant and talented to pass up, even if the Steelers would have to trade ten spots up to get McClain. James Farrior clearly regressed in his play, and maybe only has one more year of starting ability left. LBs are the keys to success in a 34 defense. Imagine defense lining up with LaMarr Woodley, Lawrence Timmons, James Harrison, and then Rolando McClain. That would really give opposing teams nightmares to gameplan against. QBs would be dreaming about these four all night long before gameday.