Steelers 2011 Draft Preview

by DJ Vasil

The 2011 NFL draft is fast approaching and sooner rather than later the Steelers will be on the clock with the 31^st pick in the draft.  There are a few areas the Steelers need to address in this upcoming draft. The two most important areas are the secondary mainly corner and the offensive line whether it would be a starter or just depth. 

The Steelers need the most help at cornerback. This year’s class is a great class if you are looking to draft a corner. Patrick Peterson and Prince Amukamara are at the top of the class this year. Don’t expect either of them to fall to the Steelers because of how well they both performed at the combine both checking in with high 4.3 forty times. 

Two corners that could be available when the Steelers are on the clock are Jimmy Smith out of Colorado and Brandon Harris out of Miami. Both are expected to late 1^st round picks. If Jimmy Smith is there look for the Steelers to select him he is a big physical corner listed at 6’2 211 pounds. He would fit the Steelers defense well. Harris on the other hand is listed at 5’9 191 pounds. Despite being small size wise Harris makes up for that with good footwork and smooth transitions out of his back pedal to turning and running. 

Either way you look at it the Steelers need help in the secondary. The games against the Patriots and the Saints during the regular season and during the Super Bowl against the Packers showed how you beat the Steelers. You spread them out and throw the ball. Reason being is because the Steelers do not have the corners to cover four and five wide receiver sets consistently. 

The offensive line also needs help as well. With Max Starks questionable to come back because of neck and spine issues and Flozell Adams up their in age the Steelers no doubt need help at offensive tackle. Flozell stepped in and played well last year for the Steelers which is why they want to bring him back for another year.With that move likely to go through the Steelers are looking to move Willie Colon to right guard to attempt to fill the huge void they’ve been lacking there. 

Three players that are projected late 1^st round picks are Nate Solder, Derek Sherrod and Tyron Smith. The biggest physical presence out of the three is Nate Solder out of Colorado. Standing an enormous 6’8 and weighing in at 319 pounds Solder is the man that has the talent to step in and make an immediate impact on the offensive line. Solder is very sound in run blocking and knows who his man is when he gets to the second level. Solder still has some to learn when it comes to pass blocking. The more physically gifted Tyron Smith is a good pass blocker and has tremendous feet for his 6’5 frame. 

Derek Sherrod is also a big physical presence at 6’5 and 321 pounds. Out of the three he is the one that will take the most developing.

If Jimmy Smith is there he is my pick for the Steelers. If Smith is off the board and Nate Solder is there look for the Steelers to draft him. If both Smith and Solder are gone look for the Steelers to take Harris.