Granted, I’ll admit that Jones’ medical history and poor Pro Day workout make the move a bit of a calculated risk.  But I believe that the selection itself was a smart gamble, and Jarvis was a terror off of the edge during his collegiate career.  As I stated before, the Steelers needed help at outside linebacker, and Jones could very well emerge into yet another fantastic pass-rusher for the “Black and Gold.”

Now that Day 2 of the draft is upon us, I thought that I would discuss my thoughts on what Rounds 2 and 3 have to offer for Pittsburgh’s brass.  Thankfully for Colbert & Co., a large amount of talented players at positions of need will still available for them to choose from in Rounds 2 and 3 this evening.

Potential Round 2 (#48 overall) Selections

Inside Linebackers

Arthur Brown (Kansas State), Sio Moore (Connecticut), Kevin Minter (Louisiana State)

Brown would be a solid 2nd Round pick for the Steelers. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

With only one inside linebacker selected in the 1st round (Alec Ogletree), the Steelers could be primed to fill a dire need with a talented player at #48 overall.  I actually mocked Arthur Brown to Pittsburgh a couple of weeks ago (at #25 overall after a projected trade), and I believe that he would be a perfect addition to the Steelers’ defense next to Lawrence Timmons.  Although Brown is a bit on the shorter side (6′ 241 lbs.), he is well-built and was tenacious player for Kansas State during his two year stint as a starter.  Brown is a tough defender between the hashes, and he recorded up 201 tackles, 16.0 tackles for loss, and 3 interceptions over the last two seasons combined.

If Kevin Minter slides to #48 overall and Brown is off the board, I would hope that the Steelers would consider him.  The former Bayou Bengal was a “tackling machine” last year as he recorded 130 tackles, 15.0 tackles for loss, and 4.0 sacks in 2012.  The squat-framed, yet athletic linebacker (6′ 246 lbs.) packs a wallop as a tackler, has enough agility to potentially hold his own in pass-coverage, and projects well to develop into an effective strongside-inside linebacker in Pittsburgh’s defense, and he has the tools to be a perfect candidate to take over for Larry Foote once he calls it quits.

If the Steelers elect to take a more versatile prospect than Brown or Minter, they could target Sio Moore (6’1″ 245 lbs.) of Connecticut.  I mocked Moore to Pittsburgh earlier this week, and the Steelers invited the athletic linebacker to Pittsburgh for a private interview earlier in the draft process.  Moore is coming off of a solid 2012 campaign in which he racked up 72 tackles, 8.0 sacks, and 15.5 tackles for loss.  The Huskies took advantage of Sio’s unique skill-set during his career, and they lined him up at inside linebacker, outside linebacker, and even along the line of scrimmage as a pass-rusher.  Dick LeBeau and Keith Butler value versatility, and he could very well be Pittsburgh’s pick in Round 2 or Round 3.

Cornerback/Free Safety

Johnthan Banks (Mississippi State)

While cornerback is not necessarily an immediate need, Colbert & Co. could employ a “B.P.A.” strategy and take a chance on an athletic and versatile defensive back in the form of Johnthan Banks of Mississippi State.

I’m a bit surprised that the 2012 Jim Thorpe award winner’s stock has slipped so much since the 2012 regular season ended.  But teams are apparently concerned with Banks’ speed, and I guess they would prefer to take other cornerbacks before him.  Banks however would be a perfect fit as a zone-scheme cornerback or even a free safety (a position he played as a freshman at Mississippi State) in Pittsburgh’s defense.  Johnthan’s tall frame (6’2″ 185 lbs.), solid ball skills (16 career interceptions), and ability to mix it up in the run-game (125 Tackles the last two seasons) could make him too good to pass up at #48 overall.

Safeties

Phillip Thomas (Fresno State), D.J. Swearinger (South Carolina), Johnathan Cyprien (Florida International)

With Troy Polamalu and Ryan Clark nearing the end of their careers’ and Robert Golden the only depth presently behind them, I believe that Pittsburgh will take a safety at some point in Round 2 or Round 3.

If Phillip Thomas is available at #48 overall, I believe that the Steelers could take the former Fresno State ball-hawk.  Thomas led the FBS-division in interceptions last year with 8, and did so after he spent the entire 2011 season sidelined with a broken leg.  While Phillip is known more for his ability to make plays on balls in the air, he can definitely hold his own against the run and has the type of frame (6’1″ 208 lbs.) and tackling ability (2012: 84 tackles, 12.0 tackles for loss) to possibly switch to strong safety.

I was a bit surprised that Johnathan Cyprien fell out of the 1st Round, especially after many people (including me) had him pegged anywhere from #21 to #32.  Regardless, I’m happy to see that the strong safety is still available and could be a potential selection for the Steelers.  Last season, Cyprien enjoyed a solid 2012 season with the Golden Panthers (93 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and 4 interceptions), and his stock rose significantly during the offseason period.  Although Cyprien is not as agile as Matt Elam is in pass-coverage, he does possess decent size (6′ 217 lbs.), and would be a solid “in-the-box” type of strong safety.

Although I like Thomas and Cyprien, count me in as somebody who would like to see D.J. Swearinger lacing them up for the “Black and Gold.”  A tenacious hitter, Swearinger would be a solid strong safety in Pittsburgh’s defense, and his ability to tackle (2011: 80 tackles, 2012: 79 tackles) and support the run would make him a valuable chess-piece for Dick LeBeau to utilize.  D.J. made 6 interceptions, forced 4 fumbles, recovered another 2, and started 33 games for the Gamecocks over the course of his collegiate career.  Although he isn’t the biggest (5’10″ 208 lbs.) or fastest safety in this draft class, his nastiness and skill-set are exactly what Pittsburgh’s secondary needs.

Running Backs

Giovani Bernard (North Carolina), Johnathan Franklin (UCLA)

While I believe that Jonathan Dwyer and Isaac Redman are both solid “situational battering rams” and backups, the Steelers could still stand to use a more athletic running back to compliment their big bruisers.  Two running backs in particular come to my mind who could add an extra dimension to Pittsburgh’s offense, Giovani Bernard and Johnathan Franklin.

The Steelers took a particular interest in Franklin, and the organization even invited him to town for a pre-draft interview.  I’ve talked at length about Franklin over the last four months as a potential Steeler draft pick, and he definitely has a number of things going for him at the moment.  Johnathan is coming off of a career year at UCLA, and the running back rushed for 1,734 yards and 15 touchdowns and caught 33 passes for 323 yards and another 2 scores.  Franklin is a decent sized one-cut back (5’10″ 205 lbs.) who can gain the tough yards inside the tackles as well as go outside the hashes and make plays.  Although Franklin is not a “burner” in terms of his raw speed and had some issues with ball security, the Steelers could take a chance on him in Round 2.

While I like Franklin as a potential addition to Pittsburgh’s offense, I would be incredibly happy to see the Steelers take Giovani Bernard on Day 2 of the draft.  Although Bernard only played two seasons at North Carolina, he was a multi-purpose weapon for the Tar Heels.  On the ground, Bernard racked up a combined 2,481 rushing yards and 25 touchdowns over the last two years.  If that wasn’t impressive enough, Giovani was an accomplished pass catcher and recorded 92 grabs for 852 yards and 6 touchdowns during that span.  Heck, Bernard even took 2 punts back for scores last season as well!  If the former Tar Heel’s small frame (5’8″ 202 lbs.) causes teams to pass on him, Pittsburgh’s brass would be wise to step in and acquire him.

Wide Receivers

Keenan Allen (California), Justin Hunter (Tennessee), Robert Woods (Southern California)

I for one am a bit shocked that Keenan Allen, Justin Hunter, and Robert Woods still remain available, but I won’t complain.  In fact, I’m downright stoked that the Steelers might have a shot at drafting one of these three pass-catchers.

I actually projected Justin Hunter to go to the Steelers in Round 1 (at pick #31) in my final mock draft from Thursday, and I believe that a wide receiver like the former Volunteer could really help Pittsburgh’s passing game.  Last season, it was Hunter, not Cordarrelle Patterson, who was Tennessee’s most productive receiver (73 catches, 1,083 yards, 9 touchdowns).  The most amazing part of Hunter’s season was the fact that he did what he did only one year after he sustained an ACL injury.  While some might consider Hunter to be a bit raw and inconsistent, his frame (6’4″ 196 lbs.) and ability to stretch the field would make him a welcome target for Ben Roethlisberger.

Keenan Allen did not do himself any favors with a poor pro day performance, and the PCL injury he sustained last year sure didn’t help his case either.  Nevertheless, the former Golden Bear receiver was one of the Pac-12′s most productive pass-catchers over the last two seasons  (2011: 98 catches, 1,343 yards and 6 touchdowns, 2012: 61 catches, 737 yards, and 6 touchdowns).  Allen can not only play flanker, split end, and in the slot, he has some reliable hands, and is a large target who can make any quarterback happy to look for in the red zone.  While Allen’s raw speed might be an issue for some, he is too talented of a prospect to pass up at #48 overall in my opinion.

Like Allen, Robert Woods was one of the Pac-12′s most productive pass-catchers over the last two seasons.  And just like Allen, Woods’ stock has dropped due to injury concerns (ankle), and his dip in production last season (2011: 111 catches, 1,292 yards, 15 touchdowns to 2012: 76 catches, 846 yards, 11 touchdowns) did not help him either.  Woods however is a receiver who has solid speed, can run crisp routes, and has a good pair of hands.  At 6′ 201 lbs., the former Trojan has a decent sized frame, and definitely has the potential to help Pittsburgh’s receiving corps.

For now though, let’s get on to my final 2013 NFL Mock Draft:

Round 1

1. Kansas City Chiefs: Eric Fisher OT (Central Michigan)

Kansas City’s brass could instantly upgrade their situation at offensive tackle with the former Central Michigan standout.  The large-framed (6’7″ 306 lbs.) blind-side protector was a 1st team All-MAC performer last season, and also possesses some versatility to his overall game.  Although he played most of his collegiate career at left tackle, Eric did start games at right tackle and right guard at the college level.  So even if Fisher doesn’t pan out on the blind-side, Kansas City’s coaching staff could find another place for him along their offensive line.

2. Jacksonville Jaguars: Dion Jordan DE/OLB (Oregon)

Although the Jason Babin signing helped towards the end of the 2012 season, Jacksonville’s brass would be wise to bolster their pass-rush at some point tomorrow.  The Jaguars ranked dead last in the league with a total of 20.0 sacks last fall, and their defense could not create consistent pressure off of the edges.  Last year, Jordan (6’6″ 248 lbs.) put up 44 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 5.0 sacks, and forced 3 fumbles.  In addition to his ability to rush the passer, Jordan is extremely competent in pass-coverage and playing in space as well. As long as he recovers well from his recent shoulder surgery, the former Duck will be a top 5 pick.

3. Oakland Raiders: Sharrif Floyd DT (Florida)

Tommy Kelly and Desmond Bryant are no longer with the Raiders, so an enormous hole exists at defensive tackle.  Floyd (6’3″ 297 lbs.) has become of the draft’s hottest commodities as of late, and he played both defensive end and defensive tackle at Florida.  Last year, Floyd played his best football last season on the interior as he displayed a surprising combination of agility, power, and quickness for a man his size.  Overall, Sharrif notched 46 tackles, 3.0 sacks, and a team-leading 13.0 tackles for loss during his junior season, and should garner interest from teams who employ 3-4 and 4-3 defensive schemes in Round 1.

4. Philadelphia Eagles: Luke Joeckel OT (Texas A&M)

If the athletic Luke Joeckel falls all the way to #4 for Chip Kelly, I’ll bet he will be do cart-wheels in Philadelphia’s war room.  The Eagles are in desperate need of help at the offensive tackle position, and Joeckel would be a perfect fit in Philadelphia’s up-tempo offense.  The 6’6″ 306 lb. Joeckel was the 2012 Outland Award winner, a 2012 consensus All-American, and a three-year starter for the Aggies (39 Games, 39 Starts).  While the nimble Joeckel is not a “road-grading” type of tackle, his quick feet and sound blocking technique will help him develop into a fantastic blind-side pass-protector for years to come.

5. Detroit Lions: Ezekiel Ansah DE (Brigham Young)

Detroit will likely need some serious help at defensive end position if they want to create any pressure off of the edges in future seasons.  Cliff Avril left for a new deal in Seattle, and Kyle Vanden Bosch was just recently released too.  If Fisher and Joeckel are no longer available, I would have to believe that the Lions would take Ezekiel Ansah.  Despite the fact that Ansah is newer to the game of football, the 6’5″ 271 lb. defensive end had a fine 2012 season as he made 62 tackles, 13.0 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks during his first year as a starter with the Cougars.

6. San Diego Chargers: Lane Johnson OT (Oklahoma)

(Trade w/Cleveland: Swap 1st Round picks (#6 overall) and (#11 overall), San Diego sends 2nd Round pick (#45) to Cleveland to complete deal)

San Diego’s offensive line surrendered 49.0 sacks last year (4th most in the entire league), and the Chargers need to upgrade their situation at offensive tackle.  If Lane Johnson is available at #6 overall, San Diego should definitely try to broker a trade with Cleveland.  The former Sooner (6’6″ 303 lbs.) is an intriguing prospect who played quarterback in high school and at junior college, and spent time at tight end and defensive end in Norman as well.  For the last two years though Johnson has manned both the right (12 starts) and left (11 starts) tackle spots, and has the potential to be a stable pass-protector down the road on the left or the right side.

7. Tennessee Titans: Dee Milliner CB (Alabama)

(Trade w/Arizona: Swap 1st Round picks (#7 overall) and (#10 overall), Tennessee sends 3rd Round pick (#70) to Arizona to complete deal)

The Titans might trade up a few spots just to make sure that San Francisco and Atlanta don’t swoop in ahead of them if they want to go after a cornerback.  Currently, the Titans have issues at in terms of depth at cornerback, and it would likely only cost them a 3rd round pick to ensure that can they acquire the best one of the 2013 draft class.  Milliner (6′ 200 lbs.) had a terrific 2012 season as he logged 22 passes defended over the team’s 14 games, and added 54 tackles and 2 interceptions to his statline during the Crimson Tide’s national championship season.  DeMarcus also is more than willing to mix it up in the run game, and has the size, speed, and man-coverage skills to be a solid starting cornerback.

8. Buffalo Bills: Tavon Austin WR (West Virginia)

I really hope that Buffalo does not consider Ryan Nassib at #8.  I mean, late in Round 1 he would be a good choice, but taking a player of his caliber at #8 overall would be an enormous reach, even if this draft class is not “top heavy.”  If Buffalo opts to pass on Nassib, they could try to upgrade their receiving corps with the shifty Tavon Austin of West Virginia.  Not only did Austin top the 100 catch mark during his junior season, he had an even more productive senior campaign last fall as he recorded 114 grabs for 1,289 yards and 12 touchdowns.  An accomplished ball-carrier as well, Tavon also was effective in the run-game as he rushed for an incredible 643 yards and 3 touchdowns in 2012.

9. New York Jets: Barkevious Mingo OLB (Louisiana State)

2012 1st Round pick Quinton Coples (5.5 sacks) and 2011 1st Round pick Muhammad Wilkerson (5.0 sacks) did a fine job last season as they supplied heat from their 5-technique defensive end spots.  Unfortunately, the Jets lack speed outside of Coples and Wilkerson, and desperately need a pass-rushing threat at outside linebacker.  Sporting a 6’4″ and 241 lb. frame, Mingo possesses a tremendous amount of speed (4.58 40 yard dash) and agility (6.84 3-cone drill) off of the edge which should help him translate well to the professional level.  The biggest issues with Mingo however deal with how raw his skill-set is, as well as his limited production (4.5 sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss) with the Bayou Bengals last season.  Questions aside, Mingo’s athletic ability and upside should make him a lock to go somewhere in the top 15.

10. Arizona Cardinals: D.J. Fluker OT (Alabama)

(Trade w/Arizona: Swap 1st Round picks (#7 overall) and (#10 overall), Tennessee sends 3rd Round pick (#70) to Arizona to complete deal)

Arizona’s offensive line surrendered a League high 58.0 sacks last year, and tackles Bobby Massie and D’Anthony Batiste looked lost at multiple points during the 2012 campaign.  If the Cardinals want to shore up the right tackle position, they could take D.J. Fluker in Round 1.  Fluker started 36 games during his three years with the Crimson Tide, and is one of the more experienced offensive tackles in this year’s draft class.  Keeping Carson Palmer healthy is a high priority, and the addition of a massive 6’5″ 339 lb. road-grader should help to do just that.

11. Cleveland Browns: Star Lotulelei DT/DE (Utah)

(Trade w/San Diego: Swap 1st Round picks (#6 overall) and (#11 overall), San Diego sends 2nd Round pick (#45) to Cleveland to complete deal)

Although the Browns signed Paul Kruger this offseason, their defense could stand to add another pass-rusher as well as a developmental 5-technique defensive end.  If Star Lotulelei is in play for the Browns, especially after a trade, I am sure that they will probably give him a long look. Despite being double-teamed and keyed on for much of the season,  Lotulelei (6’2″ 311 lbs.) was a 1st Team All-Pac-12 performer in 2012 as he amassed 42 tackles, 5.0 sacks, 11.0 tackles for loss, 3 forced fumbles, and 4 fumble recoveries.  If teams shy away from Lotulelei due his heart issue, Cleveland might snatch him up in a “Best Player Available” scenario.

12. Miami Dolphins: Xavier Rhodes CB (Florida State)

Although the Dolphins recently signed Brent Grimes, their defense could still stand to acquire a talented cornerback.  Xavier Rhodes (6’1″ 210 lbs.) was a 1st Team All-ACC cornerback as he racked up 39 tackles and 3 interceptions during the 2012 season as the most talented player in the Seminoles’ defensive backfield.  A team can never have too many effective cornerbacks in today’s N.F.L., and Rhodes is terrific in man-coverage situations because he can use his physical stature to his advantage.

13. New York Jets: Jonathan Cooper OG/C (North Carolina)

The Jets could go in a number of different ways at #13 overall, but it would not shock me in the least if they made Jonathan Cooper their pick.  Now that Brandon Moore is gone, the Jets could instantly upgrade their offensive line with the versatile Cooper (6’2″ 311 lbs.) who might even stand in for some reps as Nick Mangold’s backup at center.  The former Tar Heel was a 4-year starter at North Carolina (48 games), and possesses tremendous agility for an interior offensive lineman.

14. Carolina Panthers: Sheldon Richardson DT (Missouri)

Although the Panthers’ defense improved this past year, issues still exist along the interior of their defensive line.  Carolina’s run defense could be helped by an impact player like 3-technique prospect Sheldon Richardson from Missouri.  After two years at the junior college level, and one year in a non-starter role with the Tigers, the agile and powerful Richardson (6’3″ 295 lbs.) burst on the scene in 2012 when he racked up 75 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, and 4.0 sacks over Missouri’s 11 games.

15. New Orleans Saints: Jarvis Jones OLB (Georgia)

The Saints could stand to acquire a 3-4 pass-rusher this offseason.  New Defensive Coordinator Rob Ryan could be intrigued to take former Georgia outside linebacker Jarvis Jones.  Although Jones’ “spinal stenosis” condition and poor Pro Day workout could scare scouts away, some teams in need of an athletic pass-rusher are sure to be willing to gamble on the former Bulldog.  Last season, Jones (6’2″ 245 lbs.) racked up 24.5 tackles for loss and 14.5 sacks.  At least to me, Jones would be a bargain for the Saints if he falls all the way down to #15 overall.

16. St. Louis Rams: Kenny Vaccaro FS/SS (Texas)

The Rams lost Craig Dahl in March, thus a replacement at the free safety position must be found, and found quickly.  Vaccaro (6’1″ 218 lbs.) was the Longhorns’ leading tackler last year (104) and added 4.0 tackles for loss, forced two fumbles, and made 2 interceptions as well.  A two-and-a-half year starter at Texas (31 Starts, 50 games), Vaccaro played both free and strong safety during his collegiate career, and is also adept at helping with coverage in the slot in “big nickel” packages too.

When we look back at this draft in five or 10 years…we might view it as one of the worst we’ve seen in some time. – Anonymous N.F.L. executive (4-24-13)

While I will agree that the 2013 draft class is not as “top heavy” with elite talent as the “Class of 2012,” “worst” is definitely not an adjective that I would use to describe this year’s crop of players.

In fact, I believe that that year’s draft class could be ripe for the plundering in the middle rounds for teams and scouting departments who can take advantage of the depth that this year’s class has to offer.  While the talent at a position like quarterback is not necessarily “elite” by any stretch of the word, this year’s draft class possesses a solid amount of depth at other positions which the Steelers will need to address over the coming seasons.

Colbert will hopefully be ready to lead a successful draft process. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports

Don’t believe me?  Here are just a few examples:

Strong Safety

I would like to call Day 2 of this weekend’s draft “Safety Day” because six to ten safeties might go off the board during Rounds 2 and 3.  If Kenny Vaccaro does not make it to #17 overall, or the Steelers simply aren’t that interested in him, Pittsburgh shouldn’t fret.  In fact, they might be better off to wait for some players who have the potential to flourish in their defensive scheme.

As long as Phillip Thomas’ once-injured leg is good-to-go, I would be happy to see the Steelers draft him as a potential strong safety late in Round 2 or early in Round 3.  A terrific ball-hawk with some decent tackling skills, Thomas recovered from his broken leg in 2011 to post some terrific numbers last year.

Shamarko Thomas of Syracuse could be in play as a late Day 2 or early Day 3 selection for Pittsburgh as well.  Although small in stature, the former linebacker plays with a combination of tenacity and speed that reminds me quite a bit of former Pro Bowler Bob Sanders.  If Thomas’ height causes him to slide, I would love to see the Steelers take him to fill their need at strong safety.

Another post-Round 1 favorite of mine is D.J. Swearinger of South Carolina.  While Swearinger does not possess blazing speed or significant size, he more than makes up for those deficiencies with terrific instincts and the ability to de-cleat anybody, at any time, and anywhere on the field.

If the Steelers elect to go the “developmental route” at safety, I hope that they have their sights set on J.J. Wilcox of Georgia Southern.  While Wilcox is definitely inexperienced as a defensive back, the raw athleticism and instincts are there for the former slotback.  A year behind Polamalu and Clark and under his position coach Carnell Lake would benefit him greatly, and the Steelers could always take advantage of his kick and punt returning abilities until he is ready to see the field on defense.

Inside Linebacker

As I pointed out a couple of months back, the Steelers might be wise to wait on an inside linebacker on “Draft Weekend.”  Make no mistake, if Pittsburgh acquired Arthur Brown early, I would be downright stoked.  But if Colbert & Co. play the “waiting game,” there will be a large number of guys available for them to take on Day 2 and early Day 3 to groom behind Larry Foote and Lawrence Timmons.

Of all of the projected post-Round 1 inside linebackers, Sio Moore is probably my favorite due to his versatile skill-set. Although Moore was an outside linebacker in a 4-3 scheme, he was used in many different capacities at Connecticut.  Moore can not only hold play the run well, but he can also pass-rush effectively and has the ability to hold his own in pass coverage.

Like Moore, Khaseem Greene of Rutgers could also be an option for the Steelers in either Round 2 or Round 3.  A bit on the shorter side, Greene is a former safety who would definitely give a team like Pittsburgh some much needed help in sub-packages in pass-coverage.

If the Steelers are looking for help at weakside-inside linebacker, they could take a chance on either Zaviar Gooden of Missouri or Jelani Jenkins of Florida.  When healthy, both Jenkins and Gooden were productive players for their respective programs, and both will likely be be available for the Steelers to take late on Day 2 or early on Day 3 of “Draft Weekend.”

With Larry Foote likely at the end of his Steelers career though, Pittsburgh could take a chance on a more physically imposing inside linebacker like DeVonte Holloman of South Carolina or Jonathan Bostic of Florida.  Holloman, a former safety, has a surprising amount of athleticism for a player of his frame,.  Bostic on the other hand is a tackling-machine who should fit in well on the strongside in a 3-4 scheme.

Wide Receiver

I know that most members of “Steeler Nation,” including myself, would like to see the team address their wide receiver needs in Round 1.  While opinions differ on which wide receiver would be the best fit (DeAndre Hopkins, Cordarrelle Patterson, Keenan Allen, Justin Hunter, etc.), the team needs to find another weapon for Ben Roethlisberger, and I’m not sold that two-thirds of the self-dubbed “Young Money Crew” will do anything spectacular this season.

Luckily for the Steelers, this year’s draft class will feature a large amount of wide receivers who should be available for them to select in Rounds 2-5.  Moreover, this group of pass-catchers are pretty diverse when it comes to their skill-sets and how they can help a passing attack.

If the Steelers are looking for a deep-threat to replace Mike Wallace, they might want to target Markus Wheaton of Oregon State or Terrance Williams of Baylor.  If they would prefer to add a more well-rounded pass-catcher with a high football I.Q. and solid route-running ability, Robert Woods of Southern Cal might be a solid choice in Round 2.  If Colbert & Co. would like to invest in a player with a similar skill-set to Anquan Boldin, Chris Harper of Kansas State could be an option in Round 4.  Or if the team would rather see Emmanuel Sanders at the “X” position this year, slot guys like Ryan Swope of Texas A&M, Josh Boyce of Texas Christian, Stedman Bailey of West Virginia, or even Tavarres King of Georgia could players for them to target.

As I stated before, the Steelers could very well go in the “wide receiver” direction in Round 1 tomorrow.  But I for one will not lose too much sleep if Colbert & Co. elect to wait to fill their need, because the “wide receiver cupboard” is definitely not “bare” once Round 2 begins.

Final Thoughts

I’ll be the first one to admit that this year’s draft class is one of the weakest in the last decade regarding the “elite” talent near the top, or lack thereof.  But you know what, readers?  It’s the same draft class for all 32 franchises.  In fact, I will guarantee that at least two to three teams will make out like bandits this year, exploit the market inefficiencies on Days 2 and 3, and the proceed to collect and develop some mid-Round gems who can make their teams better.

As I have explained at length over the last four months, if there was any draft in which the Steelers should trade back in Round 1 to stockpile picks later on, it would be the upcoming one.  If Colbert & Co. can stay patient and reamin confident in their draft board, talent will find them on Day 2 and early on Day 3.  While some teams could be fretting, reaching, and making mistakes, the stage could very well be set for Pittsburgh’s veteran front office to take advantage of this year’s underrated talent pool.

At least, I hope that the Steelers’ brass can take advantage.  Otherwise, the rebuilding process could continue for an even longer period than most of us anticipate at the moment.

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Wide Receiver

Patterson could be a player who is high on Pittsburgh’s draft board. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

As bad as the Steelers need a wide receiver, let me state that I will not necessarily be thrilled if the Steelers take Cordarrelle Patterson with the 17th overall pick.

I know, I know, Patterson (6’2″ 216 lbs.) is “fast,” “explosive,” “can change directions quickly,” etc..  But I hope that Pittsburgh’s brass understand that the former Volunteer has questionable hands, is a sloppy route-runner, and has issues surrounding his “football I.Q.” and understanding of the game.

Heck, Patterson was not even the most productive pass-catcher (46 catches, 778 yards, 5 touchdowns) on his own team last year.  Nevertheless, Cordarrelle shined on kickoff returns, punt returns, and even as a tailback for the Volunteers due to his explosiveness.  While the upside is definitely there with Cordarrelle, he is a project pick in my opinion and is unlikely to reach his full potential until possibly late year 2 or early year 3 of his career.

If the Steelers’ brass elect to go in a bit more sensible direction in Round 1 at the wide receiver position, they could opt to take a pass-catcher like Keenan Allen of California or DeAndre Hopkins of Clemson.

Sure, I understand that people were less than thrilled with Allen’s 40 time at his Pro Day.  But I know of plenty of receivers who have shown an adequate amount of speed on tape who have had their draft stock hurt due to questions about their “speed” after bad showings in the 40.  In fact, Allen was one of the Pac-12′s most productive pass-catchers over the last two seasons (2011-2012: 159 catches, 2,008 yards, 12 touchdown catches, 1 touchdown rush)

In my opinion, Allen is the best wide receiver in this draft class, and I believe that his skill-set would make Pittsburgh’s receiving corps even more dangerous.  Allen is one of the best route-runners in this year’s class, and his ability to run precise routes at all levels of the field will make him a terrific weapon for any quarterback to have at his disposal.

In addition to his route-running, Keenan also illustrated the ability to play in the slot and outside the numbers at California.  Dye to the fact that Keenan can line up and contribute at different spots on the field, he can definitely be a versatile chess-piece for any offense to utilize.  The other reason why I like Allen is because he has terrific body control when the ball is in the air, and he uses his 6’2″ 206 lb. frame to his advantage.  For a team with so many red zone woes a year ago, Allen would be a great fit for a team looking to put more 6′s on the board than 3′s when they enter their opponents’ 20 yard lines.

Although Hopkins (6’1″ 214 lbs.) does not possess “blazing” speed, he definitely has enough to make opposing defenses respect him in the short, intermediate, and deep areas of the field.  His route-running is also solid, and his ability to help with blocking in the running game are also huge pluses as well.  The biggest reason why I like Hopkins though is mostly due to his productivity, especially in the red zone, at Clemson.  Hopkins was Tahj Boyd’s “go-to-guy” in the red zone over the last two seasons, and DeAndre definitely proved himself to be a reliable target for the Tigers during that span as he hauled in a total of 23 touchdowns in addition to 154 catches for 2,383 yards!

Thankfully for the Steelers, they could very well have their choice of any of these three prospects at #17 overall.  In fact, they might even be able to slide down the draft board a bit (2-10 picks) and still acquire one of them due to the questions which surround each pass-catcher.

As I mentioned previously, people around the league have started to question Patterson’s ability to learn an N.F.L. offense, and that was before he scored an 11 on his Wonderlic.  Allen’s health and “lack of speed” might be cause for some teams to say “no.”  And if Hopkins really was one of the players who trashed a hotel room in Indianapolis, he could take a tumble down some draft boards.

Regardless of whether or not Colbert & Co. take one of these three players in Round 1, I am sure that Pittsburgh’s brass will want to select at least one wide receiver on Day 1 or Day 2 of “Draft Weekend.”  Antonio Brown is the only Steeler receiver signed through the 2014 season, and it would be unwise for the franchise to bank on Emmanuel Sanders, Plaxico Burress, and Jerricho Cotchery to stick and stay past this year.

Safety

Vaccaro could be the first safety drafted. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

First of all, let me state that I for one am not as high on Kenny Vaccaro as I am on other safeties in this draft class.  In fact, I believe that other safeties like Phillip Thomas, Shamarko Thomas, and D.J. Swearinger (in that order) would be better fits on Pittsburgh’s defense.  Selecting Vaccaro (6′ 214 lbs.) would definitely make sense for a safety-needy team like the Steelers.

What Pittsburgh’s defense could definitely use right now is some sort of “Post Polamalu & Clark” transition strategy at the free and strong safety positions.  And the Steelers would be wise to find a solution sooner as opposed to later, because Robert Golden is the only depth with any experience at the position, and he was relegated to mostly special teams during his rookie campaign.

In addition to the franchise’s lack of depth at the free and strong safety positions, Pittsburgh’s defense has been haunted by slot receivers and the quick-hitting passing-game during Dick LeBeau’s second-stint as the team’s defensive coordinator, and a player like Vaccaro could definitely help to shore up those issues.

While I have some issues with Vaccaro’s “long-speed,” as a physical and “in-the-box” strong safety, Kenny would be a nice fit in the Steelers’ secondary.  A productive player for Texas during his four-year career, Vaccaro was a two-and-a-half year starter with the Longhorns.  In addition to his experience, Kenny also played both free and strong safety and racked up 186 tackles and 4 interceptions over his final two seasons at Texas.

Despite the fact that I believe that the Steelers could fill their need for a safety or two later on in the draft, I would nevertheless be happy to see Pittsburgh’s brass select Vaccaro.  I mean, if Carnell Lake and Dick LeBeau think that he is “the guy” they must have in Round 1, then I think it’s a pretty safe bet that Vaccaro has the tools to turn into a solid professional football player.

Round 1

1. Kansas City Chiefs: Luke Joeckel OT (Texas A&M)

Kansas City’s brass could instantly upgrade their “tackle situation” with Texas A&M’s former blind-side protector.  The 6’6″ 306 lb. Joeckel was the 2012 Outland Award winner, a 2012 consensus All-American, and was three-year starter with the Aggies (39 Games, 39 Starts).  While the nimble Joeckel is not a “road-grading” type of tackle, his quick feet and sound blocking technique will help him to be a fantastic blind-side pass-protector for years to come.

2. Jacksonville Jaguars: Eric Fisher OT (Central Michigan)

2009 1st Round pick Eugene Monroe will be a UFA when the 2013 season ends.  If the Jaguars want to have insurance in case their starting left tackle leaves, they could elect to go the “safe route” and take Eric Fisher at #2 overall.  The 6’7″ 306 lb. Fisher was a 1st Team All-MAC performer last season, and also possesses some versatility to his game.  Although he played most of his collegiate career at left tackle, he did start games at right tackle and right guard earlier in his career with the Chippewas.  So even if Fisher doesn’t pan out on the blind-side, Jacksonville’s coaching staff could find another place for him along their porous offensive line. 

3. Oakland Raiders: Sharrif Floyd DT (Florida)

Tommy Kelly and Desmond Bryant are gone, and the Raiders need help at defensive tackle.  Floyd (6’3″ 297 lbs.) has become of the Draft’s hottest commodities as of late, and he played both defensive end and defensive tackle at Florida.  Last year, Floyd played his best football last season on the interior as he displayed a surprising combination of agility, power, and quickness for a man his size.  Overall, Sharrif notched 46 tackles, 3.0 sacks, and a team-leading 13.0 tackles for loss during his junior season, and will garner interest from teams who employ 3-4 and 4-3 defensive schemes in Round 1.

4. Philadelphia Eagles: Dion Jordan DE/OLB (Oregon)

Now that the Eagles are switching to a 3-4 Defense, they would best served to acquire an athletic pass-rusher to team with Connor Barwin and Brandon Graham.  If that is the case, it would lead me to believe that new head coach Chip Kelly has his sights set on one of his former college players in the form of Dion Jordan.  Last year, Jordan put up 44 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 5.0 sacks, and forced 3 fumbles, and has a unique frame (6’6″ 248 lbs.), and an athletic skill-set (surprisingly in pass-coverage) which could make him an attractive option for the Eagles to target at #4 if he recovers well from his recent shoulder surgery.

5. Detroit Lions: Ezekiel Ansah DE (Brigham Young)

Detroit will likely need some serious help at defensive end position if they wish to create any pressure off of the edge in future seasons.  Cliff Avril left for a new deal in Seattle, and Kyle Vanden Bosch was just recently released as well.  Ezekiel Ansah has turned heads throughout the offseason, and could inevitably find himself in the Top 5 when “Draft Weekend” rolls around this month.  Despite the fact that Ansah is newer to the game of football, the 6’5″ 271 lb. defensive end had a fine 2012 season as he made 62 tackles, 13.0 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks during his first year as a starter with the Cougars.

6. Cleveland Browns: Dee Milliner CB (Alabama)

Because the Browns signed Paul Kruger, Cleveland’s brass should be able to focus on other needs at the top of the Draft.  If Dee Milliner falls to them at #6 overall, I cannot see new defensive coordinator Ray Horton passing on him.  Milliner solidified his status as a Top 5 pick after a great showing at The Combine, and could be in contention to be taken at the very top of the Draft.  The 6′ 200 lb. cornerback had a terrific 2012 season as he logged 22 passes defended over the team’s 14 games, and added 54 Tackles and 2 Interceptions to his statline as the Crimson Tide won the national championship.

7. Arizona Cardinals: Lane Johnson OT (Oklahoma)

Arizona’s offensive line surrendered a League high 58.0 sacks last year, and Bobby Massie and D’Anthony Batiste looked lost at the tackle positions numerous times in 2012.  If they cannot trade down, the Cardinals might be best served to take Lane Johnson at #7.  The former Sooner (6’6″ 303 lbs.) is an intriguing prospect who played quarterback in high school and at junior college, and spent time at Tight End and defensive end in Norman as well.  For the last two years though Johnson has manned both the right (12 Starts) and left (11 Starts) tackle spots, and has the potential to be a stable pass-protector down the road at either tackle position.

8. Buffalo Bills: Geno Smith QB (West Virginia)

Kansas City’s decision to trade for Alex Smith is huge for Buffalo, as they will likely be able to select a quarterback they want in Round 1 without having to give up a large amount to acquire one by moving up from #8.  Even though the franchise signed Kevin Kolb, I cannot see how they view him as a long-term answer.  In the event that Geno Smith (6’2″ 218 lbs.) falls to Buffalo, I believe that the Bills’ new Head Coach Doug Marrone will be interested in acquiring him.  The strong-armed, accurate, and athletic former Mountaineer (2012: 369 for 518 (71.2%), 4,205 Yards, 42 TD’s, and 6 INT’s) would be a solid fit in Marrone’s offense as the Bills begin the long process of rebuilding.

9. New York Jets: Cordarrelle Patterson WR (Tennessee)

2013 could be the “Last Stand” for both Rex Ryan and Mark Sanchez in New York.  If the Jets wish to make their anemic passing offense better, they could roll the dice on Cordarrelle Patterson of Tennessee.  The 6’2″ 216 lb. Junior was a phenomenal kick returner and wide receiver at the junior college level before he came to Knoxville this past year, and boy did he make a splash in 2012.  Over 11 Games, Patterson caught 42 passes for 690 Yards and 4 TD’s, he rushed for 270 Yards and 3 TD’s, and returned 1 Kickoff and 1 Punt for TD’s.  Although his skill-set is still very raw, Patterson just makes plays when he has the football in his hands, and teams must respect his speed.

10. Tennessee Titans: Star Lotulelei DT (Utah)

If the Titans elect to not find upgrades at cornerback and offensive guard in Round 1, then I believe that they will try to draft a defensive tackle at #10 overall.  Sen’Derrick Marks is an impending UFA and Tennessee could stand to use another stout defensive tackle to add to the mix with Jurrell Casey and Mike Martin if Marks indeed leaves.  Despite being double-teamed and keyed on for much of the season,  Lotulelei (6’2″ 311 lbs.) was a 1st Team All-Pac-12 performer in 2012 as he amassed 42 tackles, 5.0 sacks, 11.0 tackles for loss, 3 forced fumbles, and 4 fumble recoveries.  If teams shy away from Lotulelei due his heart issue, the Titans might still snatch him up in a “Best Player Available” scenario.

11. San Diego Chargers: Barkevious Mingo OLB (Louisiana State)

The Chargers need to improve their pass-protection, and their pass-rush.  If Lane Johnson is off of the board by the time San Diego goes on the clock in Round 1, the Front Office might want to take a chance on the ultra-athletic Barkevious Mingo of Louisiana State.  Sporting a 6’4″ and 241 lb. frame, Mingo possesses a tremendous amount of speed (4.58 40 Yard Dash) and agility (6.84 3-Cone Drill) off of the edge which should help him translate well to the professional level.  The biggest issues with Mingo however deal with how raw his skill-set is and his limited production (4.5 sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss) at Louisiana State last season.

12. Miami Dolphins: Bjoern Werner DE (Florida State)

After their Free Agent spending splurge, the Dolphins still need to find an outside pass-rusher to pair with Pro Bowler Cameron Wake (15.0 sacks in 2012).  Bjoern Werner’s stock could be falling after his pedestrian showing at The Combine, but if Werner is available at #12, I would have to believe that Miami would make him their 1st Round selection.  Although the German-born Werner (6’3″ 266 lbs.) is relatively new to the game football, he continued to improve his pass-rushing skills as he logged 18.0 tackles for loss and 13.0 sacks from his defensive end position last season.

13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Xavier Rhodes CB (Florida State)

The Buccaneers need help at cornerback, and need it there probably more than at any spot on the rest of their roster.  Aqib Talib is long gone, the team is trying to trade Eric Wright, and E.J. Biggers has left for Washington.  Xavier Rhodes (6’1″ 210 lbs.) was a 1st Team All-ACC Cornerback as he racked up 39 tackles and 3 interceptions during the 2012 season as the most talented player in the Seminoles defensive backfield.  A team can never have too many corners in today’s N.F.L., and Rhodes is terrific in man-coverage situations because he can use his physical stature to his advantage.

14. Carolina Panthers: Sheldon Richardson DT (Missouri)

Although the Panthers’ defense improved this past year, issues still exist along the interior of their defensive line.  Carolina’s run defense could be helped by an impact player like 3-technique prospect Sheldon Richardson from Missouri.  After two years at the junior college level, and one year in a non-starter role with the Tigers, the agile and powerful Richardson (6’3″ 295 lbs.) burst on the scene in 2012 when he racked up 75 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, and 4.0 sacks over Missouri’s 11 games.

15. New Orleans Saints: Jarvis Jones OLB (Georgia)

The Saints could stand to acquire a 3-4 pass-rusher this offseason.  New Defensive Coordinator Rex Ryan could be intrigued to take Georgia’s Outside Linebacker Jarvis Jones.  Although Jones’ “spinal stenosis” condition and poor Pro Day workout could scare scouts away, some teams in need of an athletic pass-rusher are sure to be willing to gamble on the former Bulldog.  Last season, Jones (6’2″ 245 lbs.) racked up 24.5 tackles for loss and 14.5 sacks, and would be a bargain for the Saints if he falls all the way down to #15 overall.

16. St. Louis Rams: Tavon Austin WR (West Virginia)

Danny Amendola is now a Patriot, and the Rams could try to find his replacement early in the form of a slot receiver like Tavon Austin (5’8″ 174 lbs.).  Not only did Austin top the 100 catch mark during his Junior season, he had an even more productive Senior campaign as he recorded 114 grabs for 1,289 yards and 12 touchdowns.  But Austin not only shined in the passing game for the Mountaineers, he also was effective in the run-game as he rushed for an incredible 643 yards and 3 touchdowns.