Alec Ogletree, Inside Linebacker, University of Georgia

The Steelers are going to look to upgrade at linebacker and Ogletree is one of the best in the class. Next to Manti Te’o he’s the best interior linebacker in the draft and boosted his stock by being the best player on the field in the SEC championship game. With Troy Polamalu injury prone and aging, don’t count out Texas safety Kenny Vaccaro or a quarterback here.

Because I discussed Ogletree at length so much last week, I will not delve into too much detail into why I believe selecting Ogletree (or Alabama’s C.J. Mosley) in Round 1 would be a terrific move by Colbert & Co..  If you would like the full version of why I consider Inside Linebacker to be a weakness the Steelers must address this offseason, just take a gander at my analysis from last week and my discussion of Draft prospects from The S.E.C. Championship Game from last week. What I will mention again this week however is that Ogletree has been a tremendously productive player for the Bulldogs during his career, and really burst on the scene during his 9-games this season (99 Tackles, 2.0 Sacks, 4 Passes Defended, 1 Interception).

The Junior Linebacker has the size (6’3″ 232. lbs.) and athleticism (he came to Georgia as a Safety prospect), to be a fantastic fit with the Steelers who will likely need an upgrade at the “Mack/Weakside” Inside Linebacker position over the coming years once Larry Foote moves on and Lawrence Timmons eventually shifts to the “Buck/Strongside” spot.  With his Safety background, Ogletree should also be able to help out in pass coverage, an area in which Pittsburgh’s Linebackers have struggled with over the last few seasons.

Discussing Safety Prospects & Who Pittsburgh Could Target

Because I have already provided my thoughts on the prospects (or lacktherof) of the Steelers taking a Quarterback in Round 1 of April’s Draft, I thought that today would be a prime opportunity to discuss the other positional area Hill mentioned that Pittsburgh could look for in Round 1: Safety.

Elam has had a terrific career with the Gators. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports

It is no big secret that the Steelers need help at Safety, both spots actually, and it is something I have mentioned almost ad nauseaum this year.  Future Hall of Fame Strong Safety Troy Polamalu has missed 9 games with calf issues, will be entering his 10th season in 2013, and is having difficulty staying on the field at this point in his career.  To his credit, Free Safety Ryan Clark has had a productive year so far and ranks 2nd on the team in Tackles (83) and Tied for 2nd in Interceptions (2).  Unfortunately, Clark will not only turn 34 next season, but will also enter the final year of the 4 year contract he signed after the 2009 campaign.

As bleak as the Steelers starting situations appear to be post-2013, the backup situations are nothing to write home about either, and could even be described completely “non-existent” looking towards the future.  Ryan Mundy has underachieved this season in his limited opportunities, and will be an Unrestricted Free Agent after this year.  Will Allen, who like Clark has chipped in this year with some effective play in a spot starting role (31 Tackles, 1 FF), will also be an Unrestricted Free Agent after the season ends like Mundy.  Behind Mundy and Allen, the only depth that currently exists is Rookie UDFA Robert Golden who has logged almost zero time outside of Special Teams and on the Defensive side of the ball this year.

Although Hill was spot on when he mentioned that Pittsburgh could go Safety in Round 1, I however see a better fit for the team than Kenny Vaccaro (who plays Free Safety) if the Steelers do decide to look for Troy’s replacement that early:  Matt Elam of Florida.

Elam sort of fits the mold of what the Steelers would look for to fill their upcoming void at Strong Safety.  Although he is considered to be a bit small (5’10″ 202 lbs.), Elam has been a physical and effective player against the run (78 Tackles in 2011, 65 already this season with 10.0 Tackles for Loss), against the pass (5 PBU’s in 2011, 5 already this season), and even rushing the passer (4.0 career Sacks) during his three year career with Florida.  In addition to his versatile skill-set, Elam also has forced a fair amount of Takeaways as a Gator to boot.  After spot-duty as a Freshman in which he made 22 Tackles, 1.0 Sack, and logged 1 Fumble Recovery, Elam recorded 2 Interceptions during his Sophomore season in 2011.  This year, Elam has already picked off 4 passes for Florida and forced a huge fumble to knock off then-undefeated Louisiana State (10:20ish mark).

Swearinger proved to be a solid player for the Gamecocks during his career. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports

If the Steelers do select a Safety like Elam early, it would not shock me if they tried to double-dip at the position later in the draft and try to find a down-the-road replacement for Ryan Clark at Free Safety.  While I do like Vaccaro, multiple talented and productive players like Bacarri Rambo of Georgia (who I discussed in the S.E.C. Championship post) and Tony Jefferson of Oklahoma (113 Tackles and 2 Interceptions in 12 Games this season to go with 8.0 career Sacks and 18.0 Tackles for Loss during his three years with the Sooners) should also be available on Day 2 of the Draft.  But when I think of who a solid replacement for Clark would be, one prospect in particular comes to mind: D.J. Swearinger of South Carolina.

Although Swearinger has been a bit overshadowed during his career by the stellar play of S.E.C. Safeties like Elam, Rambo, Georgia’s Shawn Wiliams, L.S.U.’s Eric Reid, and Alabama’s Mark Barron and Robert Lester, he has nevertheless built a successful career for himself at South Carolina.  A two and a half year starter with the Gamecocks (32 starts so far), D.J. has shown a nice ability to support against the run (150 Tackles over the last two seasons), and force Turnovers and big plays (3 Forced Fumbles, 2 Fumble Recoveries with 1 Touchdown, 6 Interceptions with 2 Touchdowns during the last three seasons).

The part of Swearinger’s game that I like the most however is his physical play on the back-end and his ability to deliver vicious hits to the opposition if they come anywhere in his area, just like Mr. Clark.  The Gamecock Safety was actually suspended for one game for this hit right here against U.A.B. this past season (he also took a fumble back 65 Yards for a TD in the game too), and delivered a huge blow to Clemson’s Andre Ellington in the S.C./Clemson rivalry game.  Probably the best Swearinger moment I can remember from this past season happened against Arkansas.  After he was penalized on a horse-collar call, and a ticky-tack “hit on a defenseless Receiver” penalty on consecutive plays, Swearinger picked off a pass on the very next play and took it back 70 Yards for a Touchdown and gave a befitting “Eff You” to the refs when he threw the ball into the stands after he scored!

Sooner or later, the Steelers will need a physical and hard-hitting Free Safety to replace Clark when he eventually moves on into retirement or elsewhere.  At least to me, Swearinger could maintain that forceful presence at Free Safety, and might be a mid-Round selection worth taking a chance on and developing.

Final Thoughts

The Steelers’ Brain Trust led by Colbert (Center) will hopefully lead another successful Draft process this April. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

The Steelers need help on the Defensive side of the ball and must find a way to accumulate depth and find long-term starters at numerous positions as the veteran-laden unit continues to age.

Safety is a huge need, as is Inside Linebacker as well as Outside Linebacker.  Plus, I am not particularly thrilled with Pittsburgh’s depth at Cornerback now.  With Ike Taylor set to turn 33 and the average Keenan Lewis set to become an Unrestricted Free Agent after the season, I hope that the Steelers are able to find some competition for Cortez Allen and Curtis Brown.  The Defensive Line could also use an infusion of youth as well to make up for the future losses of Brett Keisel and Casey Hampton, and push Ziggy Hood and Cameron Heyward as well.

I guess I will close this analysis by saying that whether it is Ogletree, Elam, etc., the Steelers just need to find play-makers and difference-makers on the Defensive side of the ball.  Thus, with their current needs in mind, I am sure that this will be a “Defense Heavy” Draft for Pittsburgh no matter who they inevitably select next April.

Figures, Stats, Contract Information, and Player Profiles Courtesy of: ESPN.com, South Carolina, Florida, Oklahoma, Georgia Official Team Sites, Spotrac.com

Why Could Pittsburgh Trade Down?

Now that Offensive Tackle Mike Adams’ positive marijuana test at The Combine has become public, and Mark Barron in my opinion is likely going in the neighborhood of Picks #14-#17 where Safety-needy Dallas, Philadelphia, New York (Jets), and Cincinnati pick, it seems that there is one player which should be in the neighborhood for Pittsburgh to take at #24: Dont’a Hightower.  And unless for some awesome reason Offensive Linemen Jonathan Martin or Cordy Glenn end up falling to Pittsburgh, Hightower on paper appears to be a safe and solid selection that Pittsburgh should go with in the 1st Round.

What if Hightower is not there or not the guy at #24? Mandatory Credit: Spruce Derden-US PRESSWIRE

Yet as much as I like Hightower the prospect, I do have one question: What if he is not the player Pittsburgh targets in Round 1 and is selected by somebody else?  Or, what if he is not the Inside Linebacker they want at all?  Pittsburgh did bring in Mychal Kendricks of California for a visit, and while Kendricks is a bit smaller, he is a more versatile player in terms of the time he spent at Outside Linebacker in college, and Kendricks played in a 3-4 system at California as well.  Granted, the Steelers might want to cover their bases by bringing in Kendricks in for a visit, but he is a prospect which could really help this team on the defensive side of the ball.

Also, what if Hightower is not around at #24 and the Steelers do in fact want him?  It is a viable question to ask, Baltimore could use a replacement for Ray Lewis down the road, and even the Giants or another team in early Round 2 with Inside Linebacker needs could consider going after Hightower and trading ahead of Pittsburgh.  Every Front Office with a need at Inside Linebacker which is coveting Hightower below Pittsburgh in Round 1 or early in Round 2 knows that it could be a risk to wait and see what the Steelers do, and might be willing to jump ahead of the Steelers to acquire him.  Even Brett Favre “fanboy” Peter King made reference to this happening in his most recent Mock Draft where he had Baltimore swapping picks with Detroit at #23 to acquire Hightower ahead of Pittsburgh.

If Pittsburgh has Hightower snatched from their grasp, or nobody like a Martin or a Glenn falls to them, the situation gets sort of murky when you look at the bottom of Round 1.  At that point the prospects which will likely be available do not fit the B.P.A + Position of Need mold for the Steelers as well as a Hightower or a Barron would.

Don’t get me wrong, there are/will be terrific players available.  Guys like Wide Receivers like Stephen Hill, who are talented but raw and probably two years from contributing significantly at the N.F.L. level.  Cornerback Janoris Jenkins will be around simply due to character concerns.  Plus, Brandon Weeden of Oklahoma State could also be in play for a Quarterback hungry team looking to get back into Round 1 as well.

But at #24 though, there are a glut of players at two very important positions which could make the spot where Pittsburgh selects a hot-spot for trade-activity: Defensive Tackles galore in 4-3 systems like Devon Still, Jerel Worthy, Kendall Reyes, and possibly Michael Brockers, and there are tweener pass-rushers like Shea McClellin, Nick Perry, Chandler Jones, Andre Branch, and possibly Courtney Upshaw.  And while Pittsburgh might not have a dire need for help at the specific positions, other franchises might, and thus see where Pittsburgh as sitting in Round 1 as a place where they want to be.

Which Trading Partners Make Sense

While the pool of players that the Steelers could choose from at #24 may not be to their ultimate liking, it could prove to be a very valuable lot to many other franchises.  I personally believe that there are three teams which could be inclined to trade with Pittsburgh in the forms of St. Louis, Miami, and Philadelphia.

One reason why these teams could be possible trading partners with Pittsburgh is the fact that they have multiple picks in either Round 2 or Round 3.  With extra selections, comes more chances to move around on the draft board, and having these extra chips to spend at the trading table, each of these teams has the “ammunition” to make an attractive offer to a team looking to vacate Round 1.

Granted, there are other teams which could contact Pittsburgh to move up to #24 and trade with them, because they do have holes at some of the aforementioned positions (i.e.: Buffalo, Carolina, and possibly even Seattle).  Yet because the teams I listed above have multiple picks in Rounds 2 or 3, they will likely be easier partners to trade with if they desire to move up, and can give the Steelers picks in the present as opposed to the future.

In addition to the extra picks which these teams have at their disposal, Philadelphia, Miami, and St. Louis all also have needs at either Inside Linebacker, 4-3 Defensive Tackle, tweener Pass-Rusher, or could even be in the market for Stephen Hill.  St. Louis could sure use some help on the interior of their Defensive Line and it would be wise for them to attempt to acquire the player they want before the run on them begins, Miami needs all positions save for Inside Linebacker, and Philadelphia is in the market for an Inside Backer and could make a play for Stephen Hill.

Need could be important for these teams, and moving up to a certain spot where a team is looking to move down could make all of the difference.  So now that I have established some potential trading partners which the Steelers could work with on Thursday evening and then Friday afternoon, what better way to end the article than by prognosticating trades and filling the new slots in the later Rounds in a few quick Mock Drafts.

Mychal Kendricks (30) could be a player Pittsburgh might want to select. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-US PRESSWIRE

The format of this Mock Draft will be the same as the last one (3 Full Rounds + Steelers Picks in Rounds 4-7), but it will feature some changes for a number of teams across the board.

Each NPC mock draft will be featured in the following mock draft databases listed here: DC Pro Sports Report, WalterFootball.com, Sports Jabber, hailredskins.com and fftoolbox.com.  All of these sites keep track of a large number mock drafts all over the web so you can get different opinions and takes on certain players and figure out for yourself where your favorite team might be thinking about going this April.  Also be sure to check out NFL Mocks and With the First Pick for comprehensive NFL draft coverage year-round.  So without further delay, here’s my new Mock Draft:

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http://nflmocks.com/2011/11/17/pittsburgh-steelers-rooke-review-with-nick-pick-cowher/

Maybe I’m not so crazy after all.  In a mock draft done by the Bleacher Report, Eric Bowman has the Steelers taking Mike Pouncy 31st overall in the first round.  Notice how 4 top corners are taken by the 26th round.  Is there enough of a solid corner class for the Steelers to draft a corner by the 31st round as so many in The Nation feel is a necessity?  Do they trade up for corner?  What are your thoughts about this particular mock?



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