2011 Steelers draft
So, the 2011 NFL Draft took place last weekend, as scheduled, before the lockout was reinstated after being lifted for a couple of days. The Steelers stayed put, not moving up or down in any round, and seemed to have a typical draft by their own standards. Nothing flashy, to be sure. They filled needs and seemed to have added some depth. So, here is Sports Beat’s take on how the 2011 Steelers draft panned out:
First Round, selection number 31, Cameron Heyward, Defensive Tackle, 6’ 5” 294 lbs, The Ohio State University.
Many may have had a cornerack pegged for this selection, but the Steelers got who they wanted when Heyward fell to them late in the first round. He is the son of the late Pitt running back Craig “Ironhead” Heyward. This young man fits the ideal Steelers mold AND helps to further inject youth into an again defensive line. Aaron Smith and Brett Keisel are both in their 30s and won’t be getting any younger. Heyward’s selection bookends the selection of Ziggy Hood two years ago. This was something desperately needed so the defense could start getting younger and put pressure on the opposing quarterback. Heyward will probably wait a year before starting, spelling Smith and Keisel in select situations, and then perhaps start in 2012. It’s time for the youth movement to begin and it will start with Heyward.
Second Round, selection number 31, Marcus Gilbert, Offensive Tackle, 6’ 6” 330 lbs, University of Florida.
The offensive line gets another Florida product and much needed youth to shore up Ben Roethlisberger’s blind side. This makes three Gators on the roster (Gilbert, Maurkice Pouncey, Max Starks). Gilbert and Pouncey are best friends, so that should speed up the transition process for Gilbert, as he is sure to see playing time this year (once the lockout ends). The offensive line has been maligned for years and now it’s looking like there might be some answers to get it solidified so Roethlisberger can pass and Rashard Mendenhall can get some blocking help with his rushing.
Third Round, selection number 31, Curtis Brown, Cornerback, 6’ 0” 185 lbs, University of Texas
The secondary got addressed first in the third round and will be sure to please the masses, as this was the weak link the last couple of years and especially in the Super Bowl against the Packers. Brown will likely see time on special teams and in nickel and dime packages. Depending on whether the Steelers sign Ike Taylor to a long term deal, Brown might see some immediate playing time. Stranger things have happened. New secondary coach Carnell Lake might get this youngster on the fast track so he sees some immediate playing and start contributing.
Fourth Round, selection number 31, Cortez Allen, Cornerback, 6’ 1” 197 lbs, The Citadel
The Citadel is a military institution, first and foremost. For the Steelers to go after a player from this institution only tells me they see many things they like in this young man and investing back to back picks in cornerbacks to shore up this team weakness. Given his size and his discipline, don’t be surprised to perhaps see Allen get playing time maybe even before Brown. Those on the roster better take notice that jobs will be on the line. These youngsters come in with high expectations and will likely be expected to contribute almost immediately. Kudos to the Steelers for waiting for the right picks at these positions at the right time.
Fifth Round, selection number 31, Chris Carter, Defensive Line, 6’ 1” 248 lbs, Fresno State
Carter was listed as an outside linebacker when he was selected in this spot, but he is defined as a defensive lineman on the Steelers website. This could be a conversion where Carter is going to be asked to be versatile and play both positions until something opens up for him on the team. Remember, James Farrior is on the backside of his 30s and James Harrison is 32. In order to get Carter on the field, he may be asked to play defensive line and contribute on special teams. Either way, he is helping to address a defense that is aging and needs more youth infused into it so it can stay competitive.
Sixth Round, selection number 31, Keith Williams, Offensive Line, 6’ 4” 318 lbs, University of Nebraska
One thing Nebraska does well is grow offensive and defensive linemen. Nebraska is part of the heartland of America and they know how to produce the beef on the lines. Williams could be a diamond in the rough as the Steelers continue to add depth and youth to the offensive line so it can be solidified to better protect Roethlisberger. Another offensive lineman is a good problem to have and will add competition to a line that definitely needs an upgrade. Don’t be surprised to see Williams opposite Gilbert in the very near future, provided he makes the team.
Seventh Round, selection number 29, Baron Batch, Running Back, 5’ 9” 200 lbs, Texas Tech University
Batch is expected to be a third down back, although he is probably unknown to everyone outside of the organization. Not much is known about Batch, except he is probably going to add depth the running back position, provided that he makes the team.
Once the lockout is lifted and teams are able to go back to work with offseason workouts, we’ll learn more about the 2011 Steelers draft selections, plus undrafted free agents that the team cannot sign until the lockout is over. This is a typical Steelers draft with needs being filled and those players who fit the Steeler Way. Nothing unexpected took place, so continuity will be the order of the day. The pick of Heyward, alone, made this draft a success.
The Penguins finished the playoffs in heartbreaking fashion, losing game 7 to Tampa Bay 1 – 0. However, that may have been a blessing in disguise, as it didn’t appear the Pens were going to have much offense to make it out of the second round. Washington, Philadelphia, and Boston all are loaded teams, even though that talent has to perform and produce. It was conceivable the Pens could have been swept in the conference semi-finals. Now, it is the hope that Sidney Crosby will be able to fully recover from his concussion/s and Evgeni Malkin’s knee will be totally healed in time for the start of the 2011-12 season.
First Round, selection number 31, Cameron Heyward, Defensive Tackle, 6’ 5” 294 lbs, The Ohio State University.
Many may have had a cornerack pegged for this selection, but the Steelers got who they wanted when Heyward fell to them late in the first round. He is the son of the late Pitt running back Craig “Ironhead” Heyward. This young man fits the ideal Steelers mold AND helps to further inject youth into an again defensive line. Aaron Smith and Brett Keisel are both in their 30s and won’t be getting any younger. Heyward’s selection bookends the selection of Ziggy Hood two years ago. This was something desperately needed so the defense could start getting younger and put pressure on the opposing quarterback. Heyward will probably wait a year before starting, spelling Smith and Keisel in select situations, and then perhaps start in 2012. It’s time for the youth movement to begin and it will start with Heyward.
Second Round, selection number 31, Marcus Gilbert, Offensive Tackle, 6’ 6” 330 lbs, University of Florida.
The offensive line gets another Florida product and much needed youth to shore up Ben Roethlisberger’s blind side. This makes three Gators on the roster (Gilbert, Maurkice Pouncey, Max Starks). Gilbert and Pouncey are best friends, so that should speed up the transition process for Gilbert, as he is sure to see playing time this year (once the lockout ends). The offensive line has been maligned for years and now it’s looking like there might be some answers to get it solidified so Roethlisberger can pass and Rashard Mendenhall can get some blocking help with his rushing.
Third Round, selection number 31, Curtis Brown, Cornerback, 6’ 0” 185 lbs, University of Texas
The secondary got addressed first in the third round and will be sure to please the masses, as this was the weak link the last couple of years and especially in the Super Bowl against the Packers. Brown will likely see time on special teams and in nickel and dime packages. Depending on whether the Steelers sign Ike Taylor to a long term deal, Brown might see some immediate playing time. Stranger things have happened. New secondary coach Carnell Lake might get this youngster on the fast track so he sees some immediate playing and start contributing.
Fourth Round, selection number 31, Cortez Allen, Cornerback, 6’ 1” 197 lbs, The Citadel
The Citadel is a military institution, first and foremost. For the Steelers to go after a player from this institution only tells me they see many things they like in this young man and investing back to back picks in cornerbacks to shore up this team weakness. Given his size and his discipline, don’t be surprised to perhaps see Allen get playing time maybe even before Brown. Those on the roster better take notice that jobs will be on the line. These youngsters come in with high expectations and will likely be expected to contribute almost immediately. Kudos to the Steelers for waiting for the right picks at these positions at the right time.
Fifth Round, selection number 31, Chris Carter, Defensive Line, 6’ 1” 248 lbs, Fresno State
Carter was listed as an outside linebacker when he was selected in this spot, but he is defined as a defensive lineman on the Steelers website. This could be a conversion where Carter is going to be asked to be versatile and play both positions until something opens up for him on the team. Remember, James Farrior is on the backside of his 30s and James Harrison is 32. In order to get Carter on the field, he may be asked to play defensive line and contribute on special teams. Either way, he is helping to address a defense that is aging and needs more youth infused into it so it can stay competitive.
Sixth Round, selection number 31, Keith Williams, Offensive Line, 6’ 4” 318 lbs, University of Nebraska
One thing Nebraska does well is grow offensive and defensive linemen. Nebraska is part of the heartland of America and they know how to produce the beef on the lines. Williams could be a diamond in the rough as the Steelers continue to add depth and youth to the offensive line so it can be solidified to better protect Roethlisberger. Another offensive lineman is a good problem to have and will add competition to a line that definitely needs an upgrade. Don’t be surprised to see Williams opposite Gilbert in the very near future, provided he makes the team.
Seventh Round, selection number 29, Baron Batch, Running Back, 5’ 9” 200 lbs, Texas Tech University
Batch is expected to be a third down back, although he is probably unknown to everyone outside of the organization. Not much is known about Batch, except he is probably going to add depth the running back position, provided that he makes the team.
Once the lockout is lifted and teams are able to go back to work with offseason workouts, we’ll learn more about the 2011 Steelers draft selections, plus undrafted free agents that the team cannot sign until the lockout is over. This is a typical Steelers draft with needs being filled and those players who fit the Steeler Way. Nothing unexpected took place, so continuity will be the order of the day. The pick of Heyward, alone, made this draft a success.
The Penguins finished the playoffs in heartbreaking fashion, losing game 7 to Tampa Bay 1 – 0. However, that may have been a blessing in disguise, as it didn’t appear the Pens were going to have much offense to make it out of the second round. Washington, Philadelphia, and Boston all are loaded teams, even though that talent has to perform and produce. It was conceivable the Pens could have been swept in the conference semi-finals. Now, it is the hope that Sidney Crosby will be able to fully recover from his concussion/s and Evgeni Malkin’s knee will be totally healed in time for the start of the 2011-12 season.
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