Senior Bowl Week Mock

Steelers resign(or franchise/transition) Hampton, Clark, Reed, and Eason. RFA tender Colon, Gay, Sepulveda, Spaeth.

Steelers receive two 5ths and one 7th round compensation pick.

Steelers select 18th. Steelers trade down with Green Bay and receive pick 23 and 86.

1. G Mike Iupati, Idaho
He has been dominating all week at the Senior Bowl and shows that he is even a candidate to move out to tackle. Some draft guy said this is the best G he has seen in two years. He mauler, plays until the whistle blows, and is a blue collar player. Someone also said he could play all five spots on the line too. This just seems like the can't miss prospect for the Steelers this season.

2. S Chad Jones, LSU
Jones is young and only has one year of starting experience, but he has shown that he is very athletic and has the range to play either safety spot. He will have time to learn behind Clark, so getting an impact safety is a must.

3. OLB Austen Lane, Murray State
I have been lucky to see him play in person. A friend of mine has a brother on the team. Went down with him once to see him play. Wow. He is super athletic and is a down right dominating pass rusher. This guy will get an extremely hard look by the Steelers. If he shows the ability to stand up and still play at the same level......watch out.

3. OT Rodger Saffold, Indiana
Saffold is a player that improved his stock immensely at the East/West Shrine game and practices. Saffold uses excellent technique, leverage, and footwork to mirror and shield his opponents away. In addition, he plays to the whistle and finishes his blocks. In addition, Saffold has room to bulk up and not lose his quicks. Getting bifger will also help his already solid run blocking. There is no OT depth right now, so adding one in the draft is a must.

4. TE Colin Peek, Alabama
Peek is an excellent blocker. He has sure hands and runs crisp routes. We need a better TE than Matt Spaeth blocking on the edge for the Steelers. Peek brings that and so much more to the game with his presence. He is just rock solid in all aspects of the game.

5. NT Boo Robinson, Wake Forest
Robinson is an old favorite of mine. While he doesn't have bulk at the moment, he has played as large as 350lbs and 322lbs. He lost even more to fit in with the scheme they ran this year. This is what I know he can do: he anchors well and does well versus double teams, has a good motor, has decent technique, and is very athletic for his stout frame. He reminds me a young, Joel Steed with two healthy knees.

5c. CB Chris Chancellor, Clemson
Chancellor was overshadowed by teammate Crezdon Butler for most of his career as a Clemson Tiger. However, he really improved his stock at the East/West Shrine game and practices. He has excellent timed and closing speed, possesses good hands, and is very good in coverage. While he needs to add some bulk to his frame, he shows glimpses of being a lockdown CB at the next level.

5c. WR Freddie Barnes, Bowling Green
What he did this past year was incredible. He posted 155 catches. That is down right astounding. While he had trouble getting open in drills at the East/West Shrine practices....when gametime came he just got open. I can't explain it......but if you looked at Hines Ward right now, whether your a Steelers fan or not....you could say the exact same thing about him. And we move Hines around to get a clean release....imagine if we did it for Barnes.....wow. He could be something special....

6. CB Sam Shields, Miami
As 4TA2R pointed out in one of his earlier mocks, Shields played CB out of necessity for the Canes this past season. That makes him an excellent developmental CB at this point. Like 4TA2R said, since he has little experience there. This also means that there are less bad habits to break. He is very fast, has excellent hands, and held his own in coverage this past year.

7. DE Clifton Geathers, South Carolina
He is big and athletic, and shows some promise as a 34DE. He is a decent pass rusher and is solid against the run.

7c. DE Lorenzo Washington, Alabama
Knows and plays in a 34 defense, shouldn't be too much more to learn. Is stout against the run, looked like a decent pass rusher, and has good technique.