I still have Hightower mocked to the Steelers in Round 1. Photo Courtesy of Marvin Gentry-US PRESSWIRE

Now that the Free Agency period has begun, draft boards and needs have shifted for almost every team League-wide.  That being said, it’s time for a new Mock Draft this week.  This new edition will have the same format as my last Mock Draft (3 Rounds), with one extra addition: I’ve included the Steelers’ picks in Rounds 4-7 with some short write-ups on each prospect and why Pittsburgh should target them.

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:

Round 1

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck QB (Stanford)

This pick is a no-brainer.  Luck is probably the best and most NFL-ready QB prospect to be draft eligible since Peyton Manning.  The 6’4″ 235 lb. Luck ran a pro-style system in college, can make every throw, and has fantastic athleticism for a guy his size.  There is no way Indianapolis passes him up, and he could be signed before the Draft even begins.

2. Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin III QB (Baylor)

Mike Shanahan is staking his career on RGIII panning out, because he gave up a “King’s Ransom” to acquire the Heisman winning QB from Baylor.  Griffin III throws the best deep ball in this draft class, and brings so much to an Offense from an athletic stand-point.  While he didn’t run a pro-style Offense at Baylor, Griffin III is a smart, mature, and heady player that should not have a problem fitting into Shanahan’s system which requires a lot of mobility and accuracy from its QB, both attributes Griffin III has.

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil OT (Southern Cal)

The Vikings were terrible up front in 2011, and they will need to address the Tackle position in either Free Agency or in the 2012 Draft.  If they are truly committed to Christian Ponder and want to see Adrian Peterson finish his career healthy and in Minnesota, rebuilding their Offensive Line must be their top priority.  The 6’7″ 306 lb. Kalil established himself as a terrific all-around Tackle for the Trojans during his career, and earned 1st team All-America honors in 2011.

4. Cleveland Browns: Morris Claiborne CB (Louisiana State)

Even though they will not select “RGIII,” Cleveland will be in a perfect spot to upgrade their already improved Secondary and Defense with the #4 selection.  Morris Claiborne has a big frame (6′ 185 lbs.), great speed, and terrific instincts to succeed in the N.F.L..  He anchored the Secondary for the Tigers dominating Defense, and week in and week out he proved he could hold his own against top competition in the S.E.C..  Pairing Claiborne with Joe Haden would make teams weary of throwing the ball against the Browns in the future.

(Previous Selection: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State)

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Trent Richardson RB (Alabama)

Let’s be honest here, Richardson might be the best and most complete RB to come out in the Draft since Adrian Peterson in 2007.  His size and speed combination (5’11 and almost 225 lbs.) is ridiculous, and he tore up the S.E.C. this past season (and his entire career) to the tune of 1,679 yards and 21 TD’s to boot.  I’m sure many of you are saying: “The Bucs. already have LaGarette Blount, so why would they need Richardson?”  Well,  it’s a “2 Back League” at this point and if Tampa not only wants to get the most mileage out of Blount, but also select a more talented back to pair with him, they could help themselves by selecting Richardson.

6. St. Louis Rams: Justin Blackmon WR (Oklahoma State)

Even by trading down, the Rams still will emerge as winners in the #6 spot.  If Justin Blackmon is available, there is no way he will get past them. .  As Warren Moon so eloquently put it: “He’s Dez Bryant with brain cells.”  And all the film and games I’ve watched with the 2x Biletnikoff Award Winner (The 2010 Alamo Bowl comes to mind), Moon’s assessment seems to hold some weight.  If Sam Bradford is truly St. Louis’ “guy,” the Front Office must make a commitment to him in this Draft by getting him pass catching weapons and OL protection.

(Previous Selection: Morris Claiborne, CB, Louisiana State)

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Melvin Ingram DE/OLB (South Carolina)

Jacksonville finished tied for 25th in the League in Sacks last season with a paltry total of 31.  If the Jaguars wish to stop Matt Schaub, Andrew Luck, and Matt Hasselbeck/Jake Locker six times every season, they had better bolster their pass rush.   Melvin Ingram illustrated a solid knack to get to the QB during his tenure at South Carolina, and his Sack numbers are indicative of his success:  10.0 Sacks in 2011 and 9.0 Sacks in 2010.  At a short 6’1″ but a stout 276 lbs, Ingram reminds me of a more athletic LaMarr Woodley.  Not bad considering Woodley is a Pro Bowl player.

8. Miami Dolphins: Ryan Tannehill QB (Texas A&M)

New Offensive Coordinator Mike Sherman was Tannehill’s Head Coach at Texas A&M, and Miami is looking for a QB.  I personally don’t believe that Tannehill warrants a high 1st Round selection (decision making, experience, experience at QB, and accuracy at times, ), his athletic ability, arm, and upside have pushed his stock into the high 1st Round.  Although he played WR for half his college career, Tannehill understands kind of Offense Sherman wants to run, and at #8 Miami could be looking to select him.  They couldn’t acquire Flynn, Manning, or even the rights to the #2 pick, so Tannehill makes sense here.

(Previous Selection: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa)

9. Carolina Panthers: Riley Reiff OT (Iowa)

Carolina may have Pro Bowler Jordan Gross at Left Tackle, but because of Jeff Otah’s injury issues, they’ll be looking to acquire some depth and a potential starter at Right Tackle at some point.  The three year starter and All-Big Ten performer Reiff became yet another solid OL churned out by Kirk Ferentz and the Iowa program.  Protecting franchise QB Cam Newton is an absolute must, and having a stout Offensive Line is of the utmost importance to the Panthers now.  At 6’6″ and 313 lbs., Reiff could play RT right away and then transition to the other side when Gross ends up calling it a career in Carolina over the next few seasons.

(Previous Selection: Michael Brockers, DT, Louisiana State)

10. Buffalo Bills: Quinton Coples DE (North Carolina)

Even though they signed Mario Williams, Buffalo must still upgrade their paltry pass rush which accumulated only 29.0 Sacks last season.  Coples has had experience playing all along the Defensive Line while at North Carolina.  Due to the Tar Heels’ pressing need for Defensive Tackles in 2010, Coples filled in admirably and was named first-team All-ACC and amassed 10.0 Sacks.  In 2011, Quinton went back to his more natural spot of Defensive End, yet still kept terrorizing the opposition’s QB’s and had himself a good week at the Senior Bowl.  At 6’6” and 284 lbs., Coples has the perfect size and enough experience to wreak havoc from the DE spot in a 4-3 set.

11. Kansas City Chiefs: Dontari Poe NT (Memphis)

Kelly Gregg is entering the twilight of his career at this point, and if Kansas City must find a replacement soon.  If the Chiefs are going to have any sort of stout Defense against the run in 2012 and beyond, they might want to look in the 6’4″ 350 lbs. Poe’s direction.  The Chiefs’ Run Defense was ranked 26th in the League last season in YPG, and Romeo Crennell could inevitably see “The Gold Medalist of the Underpants Olympics (The Combine)” Poe as a raw Vince Wilfork type of prospect which he can’t ignore.

12. Seattle Seahawks: Luke Kuechly ILB (Boston College)

Because the Seahawks re-signed Red Bryant, they likely will not have to go Defensive Line in Round 1 now.  Nevertheless, Seattle should consider upgrading their Defense, and Luke Kuechly would be a terrific B.P.A. selection at #12.  Kuechly has the size (6’3” 242 lbs.), athleticism, intelligence. and positional flexibility to play the MLB or OLB spot in a 4-3 Defensive set.  Kuechly was a tackling machine in college, and should be a solid addition to the Seahawks’ Defense which is steadily improving.

(Previous Selection: Devon Still, DT, Penn State)

13. Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Martin OT (Stanford)

Finally, a top tier O-Lineman for Russ Grimm to work with.  Martin could come in right away and play Right Tackle, or if he performs up to a high standard, could switch places with Left Tackle Levi Brown and protect Kevin Kolb/John Skelton’s blind side in 2012 if selected.  At 6’6″ 305 lbs., the 2011 All-Pac-12 performer Martin could instantly step in on Day 1 for the Cardinals and improve Arizona’s Rushing attack which ranked 24th in YPG, and also upgrade a Line which gave up 54 Sacks, only one less than St. Louis’ League leading 55.

14. Dallas Cowboys: David DeCastro G (Stanford)

Dallas needs help on the interior of their Offensive Line, there’s no doubt about it.  In the event that David DeCastro is available at #14, I don’t believe that the Cowboys will pass on one of the most highly touted Guard prospects to come out since Steve Hutchinson over a decade ago.  At 6’5″ 316 lbs. DeCastro is an imposing force that can blow holes open for Felix Jones and DeMarco Murray in the run game, and also has the ability to keep Tony Romo upright whenever he drops back to pass.

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Fletcher Cox DT (Mississippi State)

“The Dream Team” sure could use some upgrades on the Defensive side of the ball after last season’s disaster.  One area in need of help is on the Interior of the Defensive Line, and the Eagles could be interested in Fletcher Cox of Mississippi State.  At 6’4″ 295 lbs. Cox can play a 4-3 Defensive Tackle and is solid against the run.  But one of Cox’s best attributes is that he can get to the QB and can make plays behind the line of scrimmage.  Cox racked up 14.5 Tackles For Loss and 5 Sacks in 2011 while earning First Team All-SEC honors from the A.P..  Having a guy that can bust up things in the trenches would allow the “Wide-9″ sets employed by Philly to actually have a chance at working when teams attempt to gash them inside.

(Previous Selection: Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College)

16. New York Jets: Michael Floyd WR (Notre Dame)

Whether or not it’s Sanchez or Tebow taking the snaps, both guys will need a down-field target to throw to if the Jets wish to have any success on Offense in 2012 (Ranked 26th in Yards Per Attempt last season with 6.5).  Dustin Keller and San-smokio Holmes are adequate options underneath, but adding Michael Floyd to that combo would be huge.  Even with his off-field issues (D.U.I.), Floyd played incredibly at Notre Dame during his 4 year career in South Bend.  Floyd has the body type (6’3″ 224 lbs.), the speed, the route running ability, and the attitude to make it in this League, and he could very well be New York’s selection at #16.

(Previous Selection: Courtney Upshaw DE/OLB Alabama)

This might have been the last time we see Mendenhall running in a Steelers uniform. Credit: Greg Bartram-US PRESSWIRE

“With the young guys we have, we feel confident someone will emerge who can fill that role.  Somebody in the group of those guys will fill it out.”       – Kevin Colbert

ACL tear, PUP list, Novemberish start to the 2012 season.  That’s what Mendenhall’s next 8 month’s are going to look like.  With free agency quieting down for most of the league (and never really starting for the Steelers), the conversation has moved to running back Rashard Mendenhall.  There currently is no time timetable in existence that the Steelers are committing to for Mendenhall, but based on when his tear occurred, he is looking at not really returning until we are halfway through the season.

With Mendenhall out, eyes now turn to the young rock carriers the Steelers have on the sideline.  Many don’t feel confident in those guys, and so the question has come up if the Steelers will look to draft a running back to find that gem OR will they pick someone up in free agency – see Mike Tolbert.  The quote you see above is a recent one from Colbert about Mendenhall and the rest of the running back core.  I’m not a code breaker or a cryptologist, but I’m thinking that Colbert has no plans to draft or pick up anyone in free agency to be the ‘load bearer’ for this running game other than those who are already on it.

Well, at least someone around here thinks so.  Personally my money is on Redman.  The running game will be in good hands, and I think Haley will be able to use the tools he already has – Redman, Dwyer, Clay, Batch (maybe MeMo if he comes back).  All of those gentlemen are promising ball carriers, and I don’t think Colbert is stupid for believing in all of them.

Mendenhall will run next season.  But by then, one of those guys will be the new featured back.  By then, Mendenhall’s time with the Steelers will be over – his contract is up at the end of the season and someone will have won the job already.  The Steelers will use Mendy to test out that knee and see how he’s progressed.  Don’t expect much.  It will be nothing more than a professional courtesy so that there’s some tape out there for teams to review of Mendenhall when he’s looking for a new team in 2013.

The writings on the wall, but is anyone ready to read it?

While you’re in a mock drafty sort of mood, check out CBS Sports.com by clicking here and take a look at a live mock draft I will be participating in alongside my fellow FanSided NFL bloggers.

As for the Pittsburgh Steelers, I’ll have a post up tomorrow detailing my thoughts on their specific needs and draft strategy. This is just to give you guys a picture of how I think the first round will play out (and give me a chance to write about something other than Big Ben Gone Wild).

Pick	Team	Player Selected	Player’s Position	Player’s School	Analysis
1.		Sam Bradford	Quarterback	Oklahoma	Releasing Marc Bulger is a big flashing neon sign that they’re taking a QB.  Bradford is the only logical pick here.
2.		Ndamukong Suh	Defensive Tackle	Nebraska	Let’s see how many abbreviations I can use.  Detroit fans probably want an OT to keep their young QB upright. However, head coach Jim Schwartz is a defensive mastermind and his team’s D sucked last year.  OT can wait until Rd 2.
3.		Gerald McCoy	Defensive Tackle	Oklahoma	Tampa needs to rebuild their defense basically from scratch.  McCoy is a smudge behind Suh as far as prospects go so they’ll jump at the chance to land him.
4.		Russell Okung	Offensive Tackle	Oklahoma State	The ‘Skins have their franchise QB in Donovan McNabb.  Now they need to keep him healthy and upright.

(more…)

With the 2009 NFL Draft fast approaching, it’s time to take a look at what your Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers might be up to come Saturday evening.  I am by no means a draftnik and the only thing I have in common with Mel Kiper is a damn fine head of hair but I will try to provide a little guidance as to what players to keep an eye on.

TEAM NEEDS:

Offensive Line:  Steeler fans are all too familiar with the sight of QB Ben Roethlisberger dropping back to throw, surveying the field, then promptly running for his life.   He is the Franchise and the Franchise has been sacked 80+ times the past two seasons combined.  Every time he hits the turf, you’re playing Russian Roulette with your season.  Getting a better grade of beef in front of him is an absolute must.  Especially with LT Max Starks, C Justin Hartwig, and RT Willie Colon all free agents after next season.

Names to look for here are Max Unger and Alex Mack, both centers who can also play guard, Jamon Meredith and William Beatty, athletic tackles who could start at RT but eventually move to LT, and Phil Loadholt, Eric Wood, Andy Levitre, and Penn State’s own A.Q. Shipley.   If the Steelers move up, it would likely be to take RT Eben Britton, considered a polished player who shouldn’t slip past the mid-20s.

Defensive Line:  Yes, the Steelers had the best defense in the NFL last season.  And yes, we’ll have the best defense this season as well.  And yes, we have an awesome defensive line with Pro Bowl NT Casey Hampton, Brett Keisel, and underrated star Aaron Smith.  However, every single one of them is 30+ years old and their backups are even older.  Age has a funny way of creeping up on a team and they Steelers absolutely have to find ways to inject some youth on their line.  Not to mention, say it with me now, Keisel and Hampton are both free agents after next season.

Ron Brace, Evander “Ziggy” Hood, and youtube sensation Jarron Gilbert have all been mentioned as possibilities for the Steelers.  Lawrence Sidbury is a name to watch out for in later rounds.  Also keep in mind Tyson Jackson, a mammoth DL for LSU who seems to be one of those guys some mockers have listed highly while others have sliding down to the mid to late 20′s.  Would the Steelers try to move up for him?

Cornerback:  Again, it’s funny how we had an absolutely dominating defense yet two of the three biggest needs are on that side of the ball.  With the loss of CB Bryant McFadden during the off-season, that leaves obnoxious parade loudmouth William Gay to take his place.  I’ve liked what I’ve seen out of Loud Willie but you can never have enough DBs in the pass happy NFL.  Behind him is old man Deshea Townshend and untested Anthony Madison.  At the very least, we could use a solid third corner to play the nickel and step in if there are injuries to one of the starters.

Also, many of the best CBs in the draft also double as KR/PR so they would be able to contribute in that area immediately as the Steelers could definitely use an upgrade in the return game now that RB Gary Russell has been cut.

Darius Butler, Alphonso Smith, and DJ Moore are all names to keep in mind as first round picks.  Mike Mickens and Victor Harris could be later round selections, along with Safeties Louis Delmas and Patrick Chung (since Ryan Clark is entering the final year of his deal).

Those are the big three needs as far as I see them but I should add the Steelers will probably look to add a WR at some point considering there is basically nobody on the roster behind the big three of Santonio, Hines, and Sweed.  In fact, since the Steelers don’t believe in reaching to fill a need, Best Player Available will be how they go with their pick.  Other than QB and RB, I don’t imagine any position is completely off the table if a player they have ranked very highly somehow falls into their lap at #32.

Picking last, the Steelers are entirely at the mercy of other teams.  They can plan and scout and scheme all they’d like but at the end of the day, what they do is going to depend largely on who other teams take and what that keeps on the board when our turn is called.  Regardless, it should be an interesting evening as the most successful franchise in NFL history takes a very important step into the future.

I’ll be watching the draft with some friends but I am going to be doing a running commentary on this site via Twitter.  It’ll be like a live blog except I’ll be Tweeting from my Iphone instead of home on my computer.  Please feel free to join me here starting at 4:30 or on my Tweet page.  Add me by clicking here NicePickCowher

It somehow escaped my attention that in the aftermath of the Steelers record sixth Super Bowl title, MVP Santonio Holmes was slapped with a fine for winning the game.

Well, not exactly.  The ever-watchful Gestapo back at NFL headquarters issued a fine to Holmes for his Lebron James style post-touchdown celebration.  I guess in the game according to Herr Goodell, a player who just caught the winning TD in the biggest game of his life is expected to jump to his feet and excitedly hand the ball to the referee.  Nice job, Roger.  The fabric of society would surely crumble if a player were allowed to show even the slightest bit of emotion after making a spectacular catch to clinch a championship for his team.

Goodell must have some secret deal with President Obama where he helps fund the bailout of millions of deadbeats who bought houses they can’t afford through fines levied against Steeler players.  I haven’t been keeping track but the Black and Gold have been docked approximately half a trillion dollars this year.   James Harrison lost a good $50,000 on a sack where he evidently failed to fluff a nice pillow for the QB before gently setting him down.   Hines Ward was fined $20,000 two consecutive weeks for blocking DBs playing football.  Neither of these plays drew a flag by the way.  Ironically, Hines wasn’t fined for breaking Bengals LB Keith Rivers jaw so I guess a hit is only illegal if it doesn’t cripple the other guy.

In other news, the gloves Holmes wore when he made that catch ended up selling for $70,000. Which means Santonio has contributed about eighty grand to charity this week…

Speaking of charity, I appeal to the kindness of you my fine readers.   Nice Pick Cowher has successfully won their first round match up in the Great Pittsburgh Sports Blog Tournament but now we face a major threat in the sweet 16.  We’re matched up against one of the most popular Pittsburgh Penguins blogs which is fine, I don’t mind the Pens, they aren’t a total embarassment to the city like the Pirates.   But do they deserve to advance?  The team isn’t even going to make the playoffs this year.  Meanwhile, the Steelers (and by extension, ME) have brought you fine ‘Burgers a Lombardi Trophy.  Shouldn’t we reward the teams that WIN?  Please take 30 seconds to click this link and vote for NPC in our second round bracket. If you do, I promise to never again make a Three Legged Man joke about Santonio…