PITTSBURGH STEELERS "ALMOST FINAL" 2012 MOCK DRAFT

24 Bobby Massie, OL Ole Miss- Tomlin and Colbert have said quite a few times how they have concerns over Sanders and Colon's health.  They also have said the OG position is very deep in this draft.  See my post re: that and youll understand these 1st 2 picks.  Massie fits what Tomlin wants in an OL to a T.  Junior, strong, position flexible, over 6'5 300, and played in the SEC.  Massie had a private workout at Steelers HQ.

56 Mike Martin, DT Michigan- UPDATE: Mike was on Sirius Radio yesterday, April 18th with Pat Kirwan and Tim Ryan.  They asked Mike about some of the team visits he's had.  His response "I had a really good Senior Bowl and a great Combine, but I havent visited too many teams.  Just the Patriots, and the Titans."  Then he paused.  "But the Steelers have been calling me ALOT!"

Tomlin spoke to him at the Combine, as well as attended his pro day.  He also has the position flexibility that Tomlin covets.  He's familiar with both a 40 and 30 front, holding down the zero tech NT spot most of the time.  He was a wrestler in high school.  He's the Incredible Hulk.  Did I mention his explosion rate?  78.9.  Thats insane.  On a side note- the 2nd round looks to be a win/win situation due to Martin and now Josh Chapman are graded back to back at 79 and 80 respectively.  Id be thrilled with either.  And thats why Tomlin, Colbert and Co. have spent so much time with them.
Here's a cut from Tomlin at the Michigan pro day: http://espn.go.com/blog/colleges/michigan/post/_/id/3368/former-u-m-players-do-well-at-pro-day

86 Ladarius Green, TE Louisiana-Lafayette- Offensive Coordinator Todd Haley is going to put his stamp on our offense next week, starting at the TE and RB positions.  If you look deeper at these positions and the players we've shown interest in youll see that Haley wants another Tony Moeaki at TE and a Dexter McCluster at RB.  While Isaiah Pead and LaMichael James are our top 2 targets at RB, our needs at OL and NT are far more pressing.  By the 86th pick Pead and James are most likely gone.  You'll find our other option at the 119th pick below.  However, Green is at the top of our list at TE.  Green was originally type-cast as purely a pass catching TE and no more.  But his play in the Senior Bowl as well as what he showed at the Combine only prove that he could be the complete TE.  I heard an interview with him on Sirius with Kirwan and Ryan.  They praised his in line blocking at the Senior Bowl.  He humble told them thank you, "but I have a ways to go to get better".  And he'll be learning from Heath.  Heath is 29 and recently signed an extension.  Probably his last.  Until then, we've been trying to find a solid backup, and an heir apparent to when Heath retires.  Green could be that guy.  Green had a private workout at Steelers HQ. 

119 Ronnie Hillman, RB San Diego State- Im sure youve heard of a HOF RB from SD State by the name of Marshall Faulk.  Im not saying Hillman will turn out to be another Faulk, but after watching game tape and reading interviews, he sure as hell sounds like he could be.  Mendenhill's ACL injury opens the door to adding another RB.  And the type Haley likes is a fast, quick twitch, pass catching scat back.  Enter Ronnie.  Yes, we have depth at RB, but Dwyer has come to camp overweight the last 2 years, Clay needs to watch his weight too, Batch is coming of an ACL of his own, and Spann is a practice squad carry over.  Not to mention Redman has been a solid backup, but hes the only one with real experience.  Hillman can drop to another gear altogether to get separation, while not doing the one thing Mendy did all too often- spinning.  Ronnie has "stutter step and go" move that allows him to be patient behind the line, reading the possible holes, all the while causing the defense to pause, hesitating just enough that they miss him when he goes by.  Even for his smaller size he doesnt hesitate to go thru the line or if he has to, around it.  He does need to improve his pass catching some.  SDS used him in the flat, on screens and wheel routes, not so much lining up in the slot, or motioning him to the line of scrimmage.  But as we've seen in Haley's offense at KC, he uses his RBs in the passing game very often.  He's a bright kid, and I bet he picks it up quickly.  We attended his pro day.  Take a peak:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbSeGoaNilE

159 TY Hilton WR Florida International- Hilton is a blazing fast WR that is familiar with running the route tree.  He is also a weapon returning kicks and punts.  We lost Hines this year, Tomlin and Co have questions re: Sanders health, and we'll probably lose Wallace in 2013.  Tomlin plans ahead with 2 WRs in this draft.  His nagging hamstring could raise red flags.  His ability to be a weapon in the return game makes up for that loss with James.  Hilton had a private workout at Steelers HQ.

193 Kelvin Beachum, OG Southern Methodist-  Ive commented on Tomlin and Colbert's never ending statement "this is a deep draft for OGs".  Well, the proof is in the pudding.  Formerly a LT at SMU, he will make the transition to LG for us, but maybe not this year.  Or, maybe so.  I read an interview with him that asked if he can make the switch to the inside at OG.  He said he shouldnt have a problem at all as he's familiar with pulling outside on toss plays and screens, and enjoys getting nasty with the DE on a run block.  He also said he's hoping a team sees him as a legit swing OL as well.  At 6'3 303 I cant see him on the blind side, but maybe at RT.  If he can snap and play center that would be enough for me.  but its great that he believes in himself so much.  The reason Im not 100% sold on him having to wait a year to move into the LG spot is simple.  He's a 2011 All-Conference USA First team, AND the C-USA All Academic Team.  That tells me he's athletic, and he's bright.  Check out the SMU stats for 2011.  3500+ yards passing, 1500 rushing.  I'll take it.  Beachum had a private workout at Steelers HQ.

231 Toney Clemons, WR Colorado- Here is this years Antonio Brown.  A former no-name that has quietly climbed up the draft board, if only enough to be considered a draft pick and not just a UDFA.  Toney is a Michigan transfer, can run the route tree and while Colorado was pretty much junk this year, it certainly doesnt look to be his fault averaging over 15 yards per catch.  At 6'2 he'd be the tallest WR in our corps, but its his 4.37 40 along with my recent findings that hes a local kid.  Raised in New Kensington, PA.  Tomlin has a place in his heart for local kids.  See Mundy, Shipley, etc.  Clemons had a private workout at Steelers HQ.

240 Jeremy Jones, DB Wayne State-  For those of you keeping score at home, youll notice a trend when you look at the DBs we have interest in.  Robinson, Tandy and Jones, all under 6 foot 200 pounds, but all have the ability to play anywhere in the 2ndary.  While Tandy has been my pick until now, the need for an OG outweighs the need for a DB.  Jones could be one of those guys you read about that came out of a small school only to explode in the NFL (see Jerry Rice).  Jones could be one of those.  Looking at his career stats at Wayne State, 17 picks (yeah, 17), 3 for TDs, 291 tackles (while playing some FS), and 8.5 sacks.  The word you're looking for is BALLHAWK.  Here's another word to describe him, "team player", ok thats 2 words.  Long story short- the coaches wanted to move him from being a part of the subpackage into a starting position.  He asked the coaches not to, that the seniors were in there are in their final year and they deserve to play.  The coaches said no, and started him, but it shows this kid is all about the team, not himself.  Jones had a private workout at Steelers HQ.

246 Jerrell Harris, LB Alabama- Formerly the ILB before Hightower moved in.  Though Harris was so valuable that Saban took advantage of his flexibility and moved him outside.  He has the build Tomlin prefers for an ILB more than an OLB, but has the flexibility at both positions.  After reading last week that Sly is on a new training regimen and has lost 15 lbs, Im betting Harris is the only LB we draft as a backup, taking over Sly's spot in Special Teams.  Harris had a private workout at Steelers HQ.


248 Ryan Van Bergen, DL Michigan-  Our depth at DE is rather limited.  This is the 1st time that the Steelers will have drafted 2 players from the same school in the same draft.  Ryan is the definition of the 5 tech.  At 6'5 290 he looks like Brett Keisel's little brother.  What really caught my attention was the  conversation between Tomlin and Ryan at the Michigan pro day.  Tomlin watched Rayn workout, pulled him aside and said "You're a 5 tech aren't you?"  Ryan's response "Yep.  I could be your 5 tech Coach."

UDFA Prospects:


James Stampley, FB LSU-  At 5'9 246 he is the prototype FB, one we've done without the past few years.  He is also the modern version of the FB as he can catch out of the backfield and be used in short yardage situations.  He isnt necessarily LeRon McClain, but he could be better than anyone weve had since Danny Kreider.


Philip Welch, K Wisconsin-  Suisham is less than guaranteed when kicking.  Maybe he needs some competition?  Welch would certainly be a step in the right direction as he can kick, punt, and kickoff.  Plus, he's never been injured as well as has kicked in the lovely winters of Wisconsin.


John Hughes, DT Cincinnati- Our depth at the NT is limited.  McLendon isnt a 0 tech.  He's a 5 tech playing the role of a 0 tech.  Yes, on passing downs he does ok providing pressure, but theres nothing stout about him.  We did bring in some cast offs like Woods and the such, but we saw what it meant to Casey having Hoke behind him.  Maybe Hughes can be that type of backup.  I do have to mention John is built more like a heavier Ziggy Hood.  And thats probably why we showed interest in him.  Rumors were we were moving Ziggy to the NT spot.  Wrong.  If we were in a 4-3 defense, Ziggy would be a stellar 3 tech.  He's no NT.  But Hughes is alittle different.  He has a heavier base, though can still penetrate.  Martin and Hughes could be Tomlin's version of Hampton and Hoke.  Hughes had a private workout at Steelers HQ.

Tony Dye, DB UCLA- Stepped in to replace Rahim Moore at the FS position after having played SS his 1st 3 years.  One of those years was under Steelers 2ndary Coach Carnell Lake.  Dye also has the flexibility to play CB in the nickel.  He does have some injury history though.

Trevor Olson, OT Northern Illinois- Former LT that blocked for now Steelers RB Chad Spann at NIU.  53 starts at LT is a Huskie record, 1st team All-MAC, and didnt allow a sack for 5 straight games in 2011.

Lonnie Edwards, OL Texas Tech- Former LG that blocked for now Steelers RB Baron Batch.  Can flex to RT if needed along with RG.  Started his last 2 seasons at LG.