Pittsburgh Steelers 2012 NFL Mock Draft
1st round pick 24: Dont’a Hightower, LB, Alabama
Hightower seems like the absolute ideal pick. Every year there is one late first round pick that makes so much sense that’d it be an absolute upset if it went in a different direction. Last year that pick was Anthony Castanzo, a few years ago it was Kenny Phillips to the Giants. This year that pick is Dont’a Hightower to the Steelers. If he is available I can’t imagine the Steelers going in a different direction.
2nd round pick 56: Lamar Miller, RB, Miami Hurricanes
The Steelers do a great job of sticking to their board and taking the best player available. In this draft it feels like when the Steelers pick in the second round there is going to be a really good running back available, maybe a David Wilson or Lamar Miller. I like Isaac Redman, but he’s not as talented as Lamar Miller.
3rd round pick 86: Donald Stephenson, OT, Oklahoma
The Steelers had one of the fastest rising offensive tackle prospects in the draft. There are questions about Stephenson’s commitment to the weight room, but he clearly has LT feet and athleticism. Stephenson will be a developmental tackle prospect for the Steelers who could start if needed this year.
4th round pick 119: Jared Crick, DE, Nebraska
I’m using profootballweekly’s draft value chart which currently has Crick listed as a late fourth round pick, which was a bit of a shocker to me. I think they would consider Crick if he was available in the late third round, let alone the fourth round. The Steelers need to replenish the talent along their defensive line.
5th round pick 159: Keith Tandy, CB, West Virginia University
I do not think the Steelers cornerbacks are very good and they should even consider upgrading in the first round if one they like is available, but they wait until the fifth round in this mock draft and take one of my favorite day three prospects Keith Tandy.
6th round pick 193: Greg Childs, WR, Arkansas
Another player I was surprised to see so low. Childs, if healthy, is a top 8 WR in this draft class. That’s the rub: If healthy. Who knows how healthy Childs is though. If his medical checks went well at the combine he could come off the board on late day two.
7th round pick 231: Austin Davis, QB, Southern Mississippi
A developmental QB prospect. Teams draft these types of players every few years and I’ve mocked him a few times in the 7th round to different teams because he’s probably my number one QB sleeper prospect.
7th round pick 241:Drake Dunsmore, TE, Northewstern
Drake Dunsmore isn’t a great TE prospect, but he’s solid value in the 7th round. He can play a more move TE role for the Steelers compared to the bruisers they usually have at Tight end.
7th round Pick 246: Matt Merletti, S, North Carolina
The Steelers don’t have great safety depth to me and should take a flier on the Merletti. Merletta put up 31 bench press reps and ran a solid forty yard dash in the 4.5 range at his proday. A late round guy who should step in and immediately contribute on special teams.
7th round pick 248: Dennis Kelley, OL, Purdue
A 6’8 321 pound behemoth, a late round offensive tackle who should add some depth for the Steelers and a guy they can try to develop into a good back up or even starting interior offensive linemen.