Pittsburgh Steelers (No. 31) Kipers pick

[mesaSteeler]

http://espn.go.com/blog/afcnorth
The NFL draft is getting closer, and this week ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. provided his third installment Insider in a popular series of mock drafts.

Let's examine how Kiper views the AFC North.

Pittsburgh Steelers (No. 31)

Kiper's pick: Danny Watkins, G, Baylor

Analysis: With Florida guard Mike Pouncey long gone in this mock, Kiper says Watkins is the pick. The Steelers need depth and youth on their offensive line. But I believe Pittsburgh is the most likely AFC North team to trade up in this draft. The Steelers are coming off a Super Bowl appearance and were very close to winning a championship. They only need a few pieces, and if the right cornerback or offensive lineman is available, the Steelers shouldn't be afraid to part ways with some of their picks.



Cincinnati Bengals (No. 4)

Kiper's pick: Cam Newton, QB, Auburn

Analysis: Newton is the most polarizing player in the NFL draft, and Kiper believes the Bengals will take him at No. 4. Cincinnati's quarterback position is in turmoil with starter Carson Palmer demanding a trade and threatening to retire. But is Newton the right replacement? He has tremendous athleticism but also comes with boom or bust potential. Because of his athleticism and one year of starting experience, some have compared Newton to Akili Smith. Right or wrong, those comparisons will only increase if he goes to Cincinnati.

Cleveland Browns (No. 6)

Kiper's pick: A.J. Green, WR, Georgia

Analysis: The best receiver in the draft goes to Cleveland, according to Kiper. The Browns' receivers desperately need help, and Green would give them a legitimate No. 1 option in their new West Coast offense. I'm not against this pick, but there is a lot of debate in Cleveland about whether this team should address its defensive line in the first round. I think the Browns are leaning more in that direction. Cleveland is going to a 4-3 scheme in 2011 and need help at both defensive end and defensive tackle. There should be some good prospects there at No. 6.

Baltimore Ravens (No. 26)

Kiper's pick: Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado

Analysis: Kiper remains steadfast in believing the Ravens will take a cornerback in the first round. In his second mock draft, the pick was corner Aaron Williams of Texas. In this mock draft, it's Smith. The Ravens do have the propensity to take the best available player, but I think they will address a need in the first round. Baltimore definitely could use help at offensive tackle and also with its pass rush. According to Kiper's mock, Colorado offensive tackle Nate Solder would be available at No. 26, and that would be a great value pick for Baltimore. With starting cornerback Domonique Foxworth returning, I would be surprised if Baltimore takes a corner early.

[kirklandrules]

That pick doesn't fit the Steelers in so many ways. I'm willing to bet my house the Steelers don't pick Watkins ... any takers? Watkins is a late 2nd rounder at best.

[bubbletownwr88]

and he's 27 years old i don't want him at all

[Steel Glory]

Steeler's take the best player available, if the player can fill any kind of need. They wouldn't take an older offensive guard that is a 2nd round prospect at 31. Even if they did want him, they would trade down if at all possible.

[PhantomJB93]

Why are all the mock drafts so bad all of a sudden? They were all pretty respectable until the last 2 days and now Kiper has Blaine Gabbert going number 1 overall and us reaching for a weak, old prospect at guard, and Walterfootball updated there's to having us take an ILB (Martez Wilson, who is also a reach at 31) when a crapload of CBs and OLinemen are still available.

[kirklandrules]

Originally Posted by PhantomJB93

Why are all the mock drafts so bad all of a sudden? They were all pretty respectable until the last 2 days and now Kiper has Blaine Gabbert going number 1 overall and us reaching for a weak, old prospect at guard, and Walterfootball updated there's to having us take an ILB (Martez Wilson, who is also a reach at 31) when a crapload of CBs and OLinemen are still available.

It's called analysis-paralysis. Kiper can't stop filtering through all the noise surrounding these college guys and therefore, keeps making changes. The funny thing is, I don't believe there is one pro team that leverages his analysis. His output is for the fans only.

[pete74]

i dont like the pick. the only guard i would take round 1 is Pouncey. a tackel, corner or DL is much more important

[kirklandrules]

Originally Posted by pete74

i dont like the pick. the only guard i would take round 1 is Pouncey. a tackel, corner or DL is much more important

Yeah, it seems we have a bunch of guys who have experience at guard and I would think the play from Legursky in the playoffs and Super Bowl would make him another candidate at the spot. At tackle, Colon is an unknown with that Achilles injury, Starks had neck surgery which can't be overlooked and Adams has 1 year left. Unless the Steelers feel Scott and Essex are the long term answers, I'd say you better worry about tackle before you worry about guard.

[pete74]

Originally Posted by kirklandrules

Yeah, it seems we have a bunch of guys who have experience at guard and I would think the play from Legursky in the playoffs and Super Bowl would make him another candidate at the spot. At tackle, Colon is an unknown with that Achilles injury, Starks had neck surgery which can't be overlooked and Adams has 1 year left. Unless the Steelers feel Scott and Essex are the long term answers, I'd say you better worry about tackle before you worry about guard.

exactly. i would like Pouncey and thats mostly because his brotherplays for us but i would much rather have a someone who can be our future LT because Starks needs to go back to the right side