The buzz around the Steelers draft complex has been heavy this spring with talk about some Ohio State Buckeye draft prospects. The Steelers were front and center for the Buckeye pro day and the Steelers have been successful at robbing the state of Ohio of NFL caliber players over the past few years. Do not be surprised if one or two Buckeye players listed below have their names called by the Steelers this coming weekend. Also do not rule out the smaller colleges like Akron, Bowling Green, Cincinnati, Kent State, Miami of Ohio and Ohio. i have listed some of the smaller Ohio school top prospects as well. Odds are a few on this list will be Steelers by weeks end.
LB James Laurinaitis (OSU)
CB Malcolm Jenkins (OSU)
RB Chris “Beanie” Wells (OSU)
LB Marcus Freeman (OSU)
WR Brian Robiskie (OSU)
CB Donald Washington (OSU)
T Alex Boone (OSU)
QB Todd Boeckman (OSU)
WR Brian Hartline (OSU)
OL Chris Kemme (Akron)
TE Jake O’Connell (Miami Ohio)
G Trevor Canfield (Cincinnati)
T Khalil El-Amin (Cincinnati)
CB Mike Mickens (Cincinnati)
LB Corey Smith (Cincinnati)
CB DeAngelo Smith (Cincinnati)
T Khalil El-Amin (Cincinnati)
CB Mark Parson (Ohio)
RB Andrew Mooney (Ohio)
WR Nick Moore (Toledo)
Below is my 2009 Steelers mock draft for the upcoming NFL draft on April 25th & 26th. Unless anything major happens in the next few days, I will be sticking with this mock draft as my official mock. Please feel free to comment below on why they will or will not draft the players below.
Round 1 - T Eben Britton - Arizona
Played both offensive tackle positions in college and has a great combination of speed, wingspan, strength and field smarts. Scouts compare him to Joe Thomas of the Cleveland Browns. Quality character guy with good quickness for his size. Would provide great depth and could develop into a premier tackle at the NFL level.
Round 2 - DE Lawrence Sidbury - Richmond
Great tweener pass rusher and could be a good linebacker candidate in the Steelers 3-4 fire zone blitz defense. Can carry extra weight if he needs to bulk up a bit to stay a down lineman. Would provide well neded depth on the defensive line.
Round 3 - CB Victor Harris - Virginia Tech
Hard hitting defensive back that is very versatile and has played cornerback, free safety, running back, wide receiver and as a kick returner on both kickoffs and punts which the Steelers desperately need.
Round 4 - TE Richard Quinn - North Carolina
Great blocking tight end that proved he does have good hands at the NFL combine. Would be a great canidate to help save wear and tear on starting tight end Heath Miller.
Round 5 - G Louis Vasquez - Texas Tech
Good one on one pass protector and works well in space. Has shown he can get to second or third level to take on linebackers and safeties in the running game. Very strong, benching 225 pounds 39 times at the NFL combine.
Round 5 - WR Mike Wallace - Mississippi
Improved route runner that has also improved his pass catching ability. Can stretch defenses deep as an outside wide receiver
Round 6 - CB Donald Washington - Ohio State
Played opposite Michael Jenkins in college and has shown good straight-line speed. Good tackler and could see time in camp as a kick returner in order to make the opening day roster.
Round 7 - DT Ra'Shon Harris - Oregon
Projected as a nose tackle in the NFL. Holds up on double-team blocks. Can collapse the pocket and clog up passing lanes.
Round 7 - WR Brian Hartline - Ohio State
Project number two or three wide receiver at the NFL level with returner abilities and big-play threat characteristics.
