Trade Back Mock, New Target

The Steelers have resigned Hampton, tagged Reed, and tendered Colon, Gay, Spaeth, and Sepulveda.

For this mock, we will go and say that Clark is resigned and Eason is resigned.

Steelers receive two 5th round compensation picks and one 7th round one as well. The Steelers then trade down with Green Bay to acquire their 1sxt and 3rd Round picks.

1. FS Earl Thomas, Texas
They normally would stand pat and take their man at 18, but they realize that he will still be available a few picks later. Thomas has elite range and playmaking ability. Who knows, his best fit may even be at CB. He did a good job gaining some much needed weight. If he improves his tackling, he is a perennial All Pro.

2. DE Alex Carrington, Arkansas State
He is my favorite defender in this whole draft class, who also happens to have the most upside. He has excellent size at 6'5" 285lbs coupled with rare athleticism to play both as a 43 and 34 DE. He has incredible lower body strength. He should be also be a perennial All Pro.

3. OT Jared Veldheer, Hillsdale
Veldheer showed up at the Combine and impressed almost everyone in attendance. Veldheer is super athletic, showed good footwork, and has elite size for the position. He is a bit of a project at this point because he will have to refine his technique and develop for a few years. He would be the perfect guy to play the swing tackle role.

3. 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.


4. NT Linval Joseph, East Carolina
He is quick off the snap, is a big giant run stuffer, and is very athletic. Joseph didn't receive any offers to go workout in the offseason outside of the Combine, which he impressed multiple teams with 5.09 at 6'4" 328lbs and 39 repetitions on the bench press. He is the athletic big man that Tomlin wants for the future.


5. RB Lonyae Miller, Fresno State
Miller was overshadowed by Ryan Matthews the last two years of his collegiate career. However, that doesn't mean he is talented. On the few carries that he did receive this year, he showed explosion through the line and quickness to be effective at the next level. He even has nice timed speed: he recorded a 4.49 at the Combine. Miller should a be a solid complement to Mendenhall in time. There aren't many RBs I like this late, and Miller is talented to say the least.


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 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.

6. 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. He also has rare size at 6'8" 299lbs, who can run the 40 at a low 4.9. He could develop into something special down the road. Hell, he even has room to bulk up.

7. 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.

7c. CB Patrick Stoudamire, Western Illinois
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.