First 2011 Mock

Assuming we draft right around 17, give or take a win/loss. Also assuming we won't be getting any comp picks due to the massive amount of free agents we signed this year. Also assuming that we resign Nick Eason, William Gay, Mewelde Moore, Jeff Reed, Daniel Sepulveda, Ike Taylor, and LaMarr Woodley. Other than Woodley, Taylor, and Reed.....all the others can be had for chump change.

1. CB Patrick Peterson, LSU
He is the dominant CB the Steelers lack. Impressive size, fluid athlete, excellent hands, and plays well in zone and man coverage schemes. Excellent closing burst. Also, he is not afraid to help out against the run. He is also very young, just how Colbert and Tomlin like him.

TRADE UP! STEELERS TRADE 2ND AND 4TH ROUND PICK FOR PICK 30.

1. C/G Michael Pouncey, Florida
Have a feeling we are really going to focus on improving the OL. Chris Scott will probably play RT, and Urbik is still unproven. We get a guy who can help us revolutionize the run game and equally help protect Big Ben from another big sack season. Also, playing side by side with his brother will help him transition immensely.

3. NT Kendrick Ellis, Hampton
Big space eater who makes a living eating up two blockers and causing a nuisance for opposing offenses. Much more athletic than one would give him credit for as well. Had over 50 tackles last season, including 15 in enemy territory last season, in 12 contests.

5. WR DeAndre Brown, Southern Mississippi
A massive target at 6'6", 230lbs, and a rumored 4.48 40 time. Coming off a broken leg, DeAndre Brown caught 47 passes for 785 yards and nine scores. What broken leg? If we make this pick, could mean Sweed is finished.

6. TE Charlie Gantt, Michigan State
Some may feel he will go higher. I do not. If Colin Peek can go undrafted, so can this kid. His specialty is in the run game, and he can chip in the passing game too. Not much different than Peek at all really.....both have soft hands, run good routes, and are terrific run blockers. And they both are slow big men.

7. G/T Marcus Gilbert, Florida
We're going to call it the Gator Line. Yeah, I like the sound of that. We will have four Florida OL on the team; Starks, Pouncey, Pouncey, and Gilbert. Yeah, I like the pick just because we can call it the Gator Line. Only one Gator short though.....anyways, Gilbert has good athleticism, size, and potential to be a starting RT.

Looking Ahead to the Next Draft: Defensive Line

So, I am already looking forward to next years draft class. I think one of the biggest needs come next year will once again be the defensive line. Now with that being said, here is who I deem the top prospects to be:

Defense End/
Cameron Heyward, Ohio State
6'6" 290lbs Senior

Adrian Claybourn, Iowa
6'3" 282lbs Senior

Allen Bailey, Miami(FL)
6'4" 288lbs Senior

Jared Crick, Nebraska
6'6" 285lbs Junior

Da'Quan Bowers, Clemson
6'4" 280lbs Junior

Marcel Dareus, Alabama
6'3" 280lbs Junior

Jarvis Jenkins, Clemson
6'4" 305lbs Senior

Nose Tackle/
Jerrell Powe, Mississippi
6'2" 340lbs Senior

Kendrick Ellis, Hampton
6'5" 340lbs Senior

Phil Taylor, Baylor
6'4" 355lbs Senior

Alameda Ta'amu, Washington
6'3" 348lbs Junior

D'Angelo McCray, Eastern Illinois
6'4" 330lbs Junior

Lawon Scott, Mississippi
6'1" 322lbs Senior

Anthony Gray, Southern Mississippi
6'0" 314lbs Senior

Undrafted Free Agent Cut

According to multiple sources, OL A.J. Trump of Miami was released.

No reason has been cited, and speculation is pointless. The Steelers have and will not release a statement.

Steelers Sign Rookie Free Agents

The Pittsburgh Steelers added the following players after they did not get drafted:

G Dorian Brooks, James Madion
6'2" 304lbs

S Da'Mon Cromartie-Smith, UTEP
6'2" 210lbs

T Kyle Jolly, North Carolina
6'6" 300lbs

FB Demtrius Taylor, Virginia Tech
6'0" 273lbs

DL Cordarrow Thompson, Virginia Tech
6'2" 304lbs

S Justin Thornton, Kansas
6'1" 213lbs

OL A.J. Trump, Miami
6'3" 300lbs