2011 Steelers Mock Draft 1.0

It is the Friday after the 2011 NFL Combine has wrapped up and time to get a starting point for the Steelers 2011 mock draft series. Below is what I deem to be a starting point for players I think the Steelers will have a shot at drafting in each round and their combine numbers. From now until draft day I will probably do several more versions of these as free agency shakes out and players draft stock rises and falls. I wrote about the Steelers 2011 draft needs here and will have a newer version of that as we get closer to draft and free agency hopefully takes place. Enjoy and feel free to bitch, moan and applaud in the comments or via Facebook replies.

Round 1: T Derek Sherrod (Mississippi State) – Better pass blocker than run blocker. Recognizes the blitz well and can adjust on the fly. Uses those long arms well. Uses good basic mechanics and needs a little coaching on technique. Faced good competition in SEC. Has good swing tackle capability.

Round 2: CB Brandon Burton (Utah) – Decent height and good speed. Better in man to man coverage and press coverage than zone and plays off receivers well. Only a decent open-field tackler that will need work. Run pass recognition still needs improvement. Better hands than most.

Round 3: G Clint Boling (Georgia) – Projects as a better interior guy than tackle. Has a nasty streak. Possesses good short area quickness, agility and balance. Needs to get stronger. Above average zone blocker who also understands positioning and angles.

Round 4: NT – Ian Williams (Notre Dame) – Good run stopper over the nose or both gaps and a good tackler. Strong kid, but not much of a pass rusher and needs improvement getting inside pressure. Good work ethic. 2 down lineman.

Round 5: SS Shiloh Keo (Idaho) – Good in run support and diagnoses run/pass well. Good, strong tackler and an immediate special teams player. Needs grooming. Can play the deep half in zone coverage cover 2 situations. Can run with some tight ends, but lacks good straight line speed. Has a nasty streak.

Round 6: CB Justin Rogers (Richmond) – A tad undersized cornerback that projects well as a nickel back at next level with good awareness in zone coverages. Gets in good position in coverage and not afraid to offer run support. Has shown play making ability not only as a corner, but also as a kick returner.

Round 7: TE Lee Smith (Marshall) – Big frame and very effective in-line blocker who can catch. Sustains blocks well. Not quick off the line getting into routes and will not run away from defenders, but can find soft areas against zone coverages. Another kid with a mean streak.