2010 Reader Mock: Steelers on the clock with the No. 18 pick

[Walter]

Voting for the No. 18 pick in the 2010 NFL Draft.

Results and some comments will be posted here.


http://walterfootball.com/draft2010reader.php

[vikingfan173]

The Steelers hope this is how the draft plays out. They have Mike Iupati and Maurkice Pouncey two dominant interior lineman and the 2nd best safety fall to them at #18. The Steelers discovered that with Polamalu injured he couldnt cover up some of their pass defense breakdowns, so Thomas would be an amazing tandem with Troy and he would play FS, however the Steelers have struggled running the ball since Tomlin took over so getting a good guard like Pouncey or Iupati is an option. In the end I think they draft Mike Iupati, especially with Ben Roethlisberger's future in doubt they may have to return to a power running offense.

[rphx88]

If the Steelers love Dan Williams then he will be the pick. I know that they have Casey Hampton but he is getting up there in age and they could bring Williams along as needed.

[trisoman]

Steelers have always gone with a Best Player Available type draft - Evander Hood being drafted despite massive holes on their O-line proves the point. The problem though is that we don't have the Steelers' big board to work with, so we have to project a little. I'm just gonna say Iupati - the Steelers did resign Ryan Clark and if they don't know it by now, they need to fix that excuse of an O-line.

[Arcade]

Earl Thomas would be the pick here, but Dan Williams dropping this far makes me lean towards him. Pittsburgh did recently resign Casey Hampton, but he's getting older, and Williams is the consensus top nose tackle. Add to that the depth at safety in this draft class, and Williams is the likelier pick, over Thomas.

[Stupac]

The Batch/Dixon Experience is going to need all the protection it can get. Iupati is the pick.

[luckYman]

Kyle Wilson is the best Corner on the board and should be the pick.

[SanchoPanza]

I went Pouncey to anchor against the 3-4 of the Ravens and the 3-4... well Shaun Rogers of the Browns.

[corb52]

I think CB depth in this draft excludes MCCourty and Wilson as the first pick, they will look later for CB since they drafted Lewis and Burnett last year. Colbert (their GM) said that DL depth is the best he has ever seen so Williams won't be it, they will pick up one in 3-5. Center and RG were terrible for the Steelers last year but 18 is high for a center. Iupati could move to RT in a year or so and bump Colon to RG.I know they are very high on Gibson and Chaney. Not all what I would do but what Colbert will do. I got Hood, Summers and Harris last draft. ]They will make a few trades and move up in the 2nd or 3rd because they have 10 picks and Colbert said 10 picks won't make the team.[/B]
1. Iupati or Pouncy
2. Thad Gibson
3. Jamar Chaney
4. Troup, Smith, Joseph
5. Blount
5.Josh Moore
6 TE
7 S

[steelers43]

I think the suprise pick could be Graham-DE. Harrison started to show his age last season, plus he is a smaller guy and the way the LT hang on him its adding up. Pair Woodley and Woodley Jr (Graham) at oppostite ends and see who can get to the QB first. This will also help the secondary.

[BobLoblaw]

After Polamalu got injured last year, the Steelers were a shell of their former selves. Thomas would be able to play opposite him and keep the secondary together if he gets injured again.

[pheltzbahr]

It's silly Dan Williams falls this far, but I guess its possible. It's also silly they would have to pass on him with a greater need on the interior oline. Pouncey.

[Snake002]

This pick will be an offensive lineman for three glaring reasons.
1. Offensive line is already a need, Big Ben or not they allow alot of sacks.
2. Interior lineman will help them to get their running game back on track, and Mendenhall is already the running back to do it.
3. If no Big Ben they will need protection for next QB, and an improved running game to help said QB.

[TimakaHines]

Interesting situation here. I've been shouting for Earl Thomas for some time now, and would find it hard to see us passing on him at 18. There's a lot to like with his speed and instincts, and I believe the Steelers have him coming in on April 8th and 9th for a visit. I see the philosophy in picking Iupati, but his Senior Bowl performance (The actual game, not practice) did not scream "18th overall" to me. Kyle Wilson could also be a good pick here, as his style of play and the need he would fill, are good fits. Don't rule out the possibilty of trading down in the first to try and grab Devin McCourty while possibly getting a couple extra picks, or try and do the same with Iupati, basically getting more bang for your buck.

[RazorStar]

How far will Dan Williams fall really? I mean if Ziggy Hood is the replacement for Aaron Smith, then Dan Williams should be the replacement for Casey Hampton. Earl Thomas would be a brilliant pick as well since the Steelers looked bad without Troy, and the love won't last forever back there. I still believe the Steelers will go Dan Williams since they never draft a rookie to start immediately, usually go BPA, and can't afford to miss out at the talent Dan Williams is at Nose Tackle.

[dorkvomit]

As a diehard steeler fan, i believe they should draft earl thomas for safety depth, they need more talent at the position, when Polamalu went down last season it was a disaster for our secondary, this pick would solidify that position & give us options in case of injury! I would also consider Dan Williams. I'm not a big fan of Iupati, his big weakness is pass protection & we can't afford Ben to get sacked another 50 times this season!

[lanki]

This is a tricky pick because the Steelers took Ziggy Hood last year. Dan Williams is probably the best player available, and I still think he should be the pick with Casey Hampton moving towards the graveyard. However, I do not think he will be. The Steelers just resigned FS Ryan Clark, so they may believe they are set at FS, therefore passing on Earl Thomas. Although the Steelers drafted G Kraig Urbik last year, I believe this pick comes down to Iupati or Pouncey. Iupati is definitely a better prospect and has a higher ceiling. he also has the size the Steelers are looking for in lineman. Pouncey offers versatility being able to play guard and center. However I ultimately think the Steelers will think Iupati is too good of a prospect to pass up on, making him the selection at 18.

[hellohilo]

This is one of the best situations the Steelers could have hoped for, but it's a very difficult pick. The front office needs to decide which part of their team they want to improve long-term, and build around that. If Big Ben's legal troubles work out by the time the draft rolls around, I think they'd lean toward taking Dan Williams in this case. An argument can be made for upgrading the offensive line, but Ben's succeeded the past few years with a sub-par O-Line, and they could address the need there with a mid-round pick. By taking Williams, they could insure themselves for a possible injury by Casey Hampton, while grooming Williams to be their NT of the future. In the meantime, he would easily be an upgrade at DE for the Steelers. However, that all hinges on Ben's legal issues having worked out. If they don't, I think the steelers will definitely choose to upgrade their O-Line, as they'll have to worry about a possible replacement QB who probably wouldn't perform nearly as well as Ben does behind that line. In that case, it's either Iupati or Pouncey. Iupati is raw, but he can definitely step in and help the Steelers. Also, if the legal troubles keep Ben out for a significant part of the season, I think it's safe to say the Steelers would be looking more towards next year, in which case that would give Iupati a full season to learn. At the moment, it looks like Ben's status is going to be in limbo for a while, so Iupati is the pick.

[lebsteel]

I think the suprise pick could be Graham-DE. Harrison started to show his age last season, plus he is a smaller guy and the way the LT hang on him its adding up. Pair Woodley and Woodley Jr (Graham) at oppostite ends and see who can get to the QB first. This will also help the secondary.
Hey 43 nice to see you here! I'd much rather see us take Graham than Iupati or Pouncey. But, I think we really need to get Earl Thomas or Kyle Wilson if they are there and go J.D. Walton in Rd. 2 or 3. I don't see a whole lot of difference between Pouncey and Walton.

[Professor]

I think the Steelers are salivating at the chance to land Thomas, especially with Thomas running a 4.35 at his pro day. If the Niners pass on him, look for him to be a Steeler. If Thomas is not there, which is a real possibility, then I agree Iupati will be the guy.