Mid-Combine Mock

Steelers retain the following: Hampton(resgined), Clark, Reed(tagged), Parker(tests FA and finds no suitors), Eason, Colon, Gay, Spaeth, Sepulveda, Stapleton, Bailey.

Steelers receive two 5th and one 7th round compensation picks.

Steelers pick 18th. They trade down with New Orleans to get 1(32), 3(95), 4(131), 5(169).

1. G Mike Iupati, Idaho
The truth is that the Steelers really like Iupati. He is a monster run blocker and is incredibly mobile at 6'5" 331lbs. Kugler fell in love with him. I think he falls this far. The native Samoan is not overly smart(13 Wonderlic score....ouch) and is very raw in pass protection. Also, most of his family are Steelers fans....if he can fall this far, he is the pick. Hopefully Dallas and the great Jerry Jones pass on him.ALTERNATE PICK: C MAURKICE POUNCEY, FLORIDA

2. FS Chad Jones, LSU
Jones is one of my favorite prospects in this draft. Jones has great size at 6'3" 230lbs. Not only do I love his size, he can run a 4.48 40. Jones hits like a truck. Also, Chad Jones can cover. He was routinely put one-on-one with receivers and has the speed to run with most of them. Jones is one the few prospects that I think could go in the 1st round. However, I think that in a deep class that his name goes overlooked and slips down to us in the 2nd. Guys like Morgan Burnett, Nate Allen and a lot of talented CBs and DTs will dominate the fringe area between the 1st and 2nd.

3. DE Alex Carrington, Arkansas State
Carrington has all the tools to be a dominant 34 DE. He is an elite run stuffer. He also possesses excellent lower body strength, active hands and good technique, and is even a good pass rusher. He is has made his living the past two years in the opponents backfields, recording 19 sacks and over 20 tackles for losses. Carrington reminds me a lot of Aaron Smith when he first came here: a little undersized in a frame that could stand to gain 15lbs and be great. I think Carrington could play at around 310 and not lose a single step, but maybe that is just me being hopeful.

3.OLB Koa Misi, Utah
Misi put his skills on display all week at the East/West Shrine game and practices. He is called one of the most athletic Utes by his coaches, Misi's under appreciated agility and speed at 6-3, 244 pounds will put him in the spotlight. He also gave nightmares to QBs all week long at the East/West Shrine game and practices.

4. NT Linval Jospeph, East Carolina
Jospeh is an incredible athlete that could probably play either NT or DE position for the Steelers. He played NT for the Pirates at 6'6" 322lbs. He has room to gain weight and not lose his quickness....he once weighed 385lbs, but because of back problems he dropped the weight. Joseph is great against run, can help collapse the pocket, and is athletic enough to be a 3 down NT. He is also powerful and quick enough to play DE. A friend of mine said that Joseph could be a poor man's version of Haloti Ngata, playing every position across the DL. Ibelieve his future is on the inside.

4. G/T John Jerry, Mississippi
Believe me. Rooney wants to run the football. Jerry should be one hell of RG and a solid starting RT. He is quick off the line, has great size(6'6" 335lbs), and is extremely powerful. He is the ultimate mauler, while is also surprisingly good in pass protection. His first three seasons he played at guard, and was very impressive. He started this last season at RT, and earned All Second Team SEC honors. He has definitely impressed me enough. He would present excellent value here.


5. ILB Micah Johnson, Kentucky

I would hate to see a talent like Johnson slip through the Steelers fingers, especially when LB depth is incredibly thin. He is big man at 6'2" 254lbs. However, his inability to practice and perform in postseason activities is still a long shot since he tore his ACL and PCL on the last play of his bowl game. Johnson is an excellent tackler, can hold his own against interior linemen, is excellent against the run, and I would consider him even underrated in coverage.

5. CB Walter Thurmond, Oregon
I seem to remember not to long ago the Steelers drafting an Oregon Duck who's senior season was cut short due to injury....that player is Dennis Dixon, who looks to have rounded the curve and step up as a reliable backup for Big Ben. Thurmond is a player who has been banged up the past two seasons.....however, that doesn't mean the kid is talented. Thurmond possesses good size at 6' 190lbs. In addition, he has good timed and closing speed, has excellent hands, and has been a beast in coverage. He and Johnson will be the hidden steals of this draft class, mark my words.

5c. TE Colin Peek, Alabama
I have been promoting Peek from the get go. However, no one seems to realize how good of a TE he can be. He is the perfect TE for the Steelers. He is an excellent blocker. He runs excellent routes and has sure hands. He is the PERFECT TE for the Steelers. I will be pissed if pass on Peek in this draft, considering how Arians loves TEs and like to run out of a 2 TE single-back set. Peek didn't participate in the 40 yard dash, so I wonder if he and his agent knows that his 40 won't get under a 4.8. However, I like Peek because of his amazing blocking, so being a receiving threat would only increase his value. It isn't like the Steelers ever throw to Matt Spaeth anyways.

5c. CB Joshua Moore, Kansas State
Another CB? Maybe you didn't watch the Steelers in 2009....Moore has excellent timed and closing speed, great hands, and is more than willing in run support. Could offer value as a return man too.

6. CB Patrick Stoudamire, Western Illinois
OVERKILL?? I think not. Stoudamire broke up a whopping 16 passes in 2009. Level of competition is obviously an issue, but Stoudamire will be a sleeper in a deep draft of CBs. Though, the middle rounds are flooded with just average CBs, so we might need to take him higher. Stoudamire has good timed and closing speed, active hands as evidenced by his impressive stat, and is underrated against the the run.

7. WR Marcus Easley, Connecticut
With barely any playing experience, Marcus Easley is a bit of a project. But he's undoubtedly physically gifted; at 6-3, 210, Easley ran a 4.46 and notched a 10-3 broad jump on Sunday. He's a  guy with a lot of upside. His work ethic will get the Steelers to take him, as they need someone to give Sweed a run for his money.

7c.OLB Arthur Moats, James Madison
An athletic freak of nature. His coaches rave how much of a complete player he has become: he terrorizes the QB, he is stout against the run, and he can drop into coverage. Sounds like our late round developmental OLB project to me. The Steelers scouts at the Texas vs. The Nation practices have also raved about his great quickness and speed, calling him the next James Harrison. Despite his hype, we will have to make the transition, which could be hard for the FBS player.