Mock of the Day- The Elite are Gone

Resign Hampton, Clark, Reed, Townsend, Eason. RFA Colon, Gay, Spaeth, Sepulveda.

Steelers select 18th. Since there are no elite OTs in Round 1, and Earl Thomas is gone, though Taylor Mays is not....anyways the Steelers trade down with Dallas for their 1st, 2nd, and 4th.

Steelers receive two 5th round compensations for McFadden and Washington, and a 7th for Smith and Leftwich.

1. S Chad Jones, LSU
Jones is a very athletic safety who can open his hips and run with the best in the NFL. He has good hands, is good in coverage, and his closing speed in exceptional. He is a good tackler, and he can really lay the wood and punish receiver over the middle.

2. OLB Ricky Sapp, Clemson
He is the perfect hybrid player we have been looking for: he is 6'4", 248lbs, and runs a low 4.62. He is a athletic freak rushing the passer, and has played standing up a majority of his career.

2.CB Dominique Franks, Oklahoma
Franks possesses excellent frame and measurables at 6'0" 190lbs 4.46. He can run with the best and has excellent hands. More than willing to help out against the run.

3. ILB Micah Johnson, KentuckyJohnson has played great football over the years, but his current knee injury(MCL) may keep him inactive at the Combine and postseason bowl games. He is a very good tackler, is stout against the run, possess very good strength, stout against the run, and is underrated in coverage.


4. RB Ben Tate, Auburn
The classic downhill runner who has really ran hard the past year, gaining over 1,300 yards and 10 TDs. He is even a good receiving threat in the flats and is shift and elusive when he has the ball. He is also extremely hard to tackle at 220lbs. He should be able to spell Mendenhall throughout the season.

4. TE Colin Peek, Alabma
He is a dual threat. He is a very accomplished blocking, and he also has excellent hands and shows the ability to get open in coverage. Very good route runner too.

4. OT Jared Veldheer, HillsdaleVeldheer is a bit of an unknown at this point. Veldheer is currently training with former 13 year veteran and All Pro Brad Hopkins, who has raved that he is the most athletic linemen he has ever seen. He also did not have a strength of conditioning program at Hillsdale, so he could easily gain 10-15lbs without losing any quickness or mobility. He is exceptional in pass protection, and he is a solid run blocker. The big question is whether he can play with the big boys at the next level. I wonder how people missed on this guy......his potential seems endless.

5. WR Freddie Barnes, Bowling Green
Barnes is one hell of a player, rather his game translates to the NFL is another matter. He set NCAA records this year, with a record of 155 receptions for 1,770 yards and 19 TDs. He is deceptively fast, runs pretty good routes, and possess game breaking ability. Once again though, the major question is whether his game translates to the NFL. Why did he go so unnoticed if he is/was such an elite talent? He is also insurance just in case Sweed doesn't pan out.....I have high hopes for Sweed......this coaching staff has not given Sweed opportunities.....they never have....throwing the ball once his way is not a way to build Sweed's confidence....I pray that the Steelers give him an ample opportunity at camp to show what he can do.

5c. DE Doug Worthington, Ohio State
Super big and very athletic. Reminds of younger versions of Aaron Smith and Brett Keisel. After some time in the system, I think Washington could be a stud. He is a good pass rusher and very stout in the run game.

6. SS Andrew Sendejo, Rice
Incredibly high football IQ. Sendejo is strong against the run, is a very good tackler, is more than solid in coverage, and has very good hands. Excellent football player.

7. CB Walter McFadden, Auburn
After a good if not spectacular bowl game, his heroics: 2 INTs one returned 100 yards for a TD, 2 passes defensed, and 9 tackles will get him drafted.

7c. DE Lorenzo Washington, Alabama
Washington already plays in Alabama's prostyle 34 defense, so getting a DE that wouldn't have to learn so much on the fly might be a good idea. I really like him because he used his hands very well in the BCS Championship game. Could be another gem this late.