Free agency is waning down and we are approaching April at a rapid pace. It’s time to sit down and go over every teams free agent acquisitions and losses, along with their team needs. Using that information we will figure out a Plan of Attack for the 2012 Draft for each team. We’ll start with the Super Bowl Champion New York Giants and work our way down one day at a time, to the Indianapolis Colts and the first overall pick.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
Team Needs: ILB, NT, RB, WR, CB, G
Free Agent Acquisitions: NT Steve McLendon (resigned)
Free Agent Losses: LB James Farrior (released), CB William Gay, WR Hines Ward (retired), OT Jamon Meredith, DE Aaron Smith (released)
Round 1:
Potential Targets: DT Dontari Poe, ILB Dont’a Hightower, WR Kendall Wright, WR Stephen Hill, CB Stephon Gilmore, CB Janoris Jenkins
Round 2:
Potential Targets: RB David Wilson, RB Lamar Miller, RB Doug Martin, G Amini Silatolu, G Jeff Allen, CB Chase Minnifield, CB Trumaine Johnson, CB Jayron Hosely
Round 3:
Potential Targets: DT Josh Chapman, DT Mike Martin, CB Josh Norman, CB Jamell Fleming, CB Casey Heyward, RB Chris Polk, RB Bernard Pierece, RB Isaiah Pead, G Brandon Brooks, G Joe Looney, G James Brown
Plan of Attack: The Steelers are a team that is getting older, especially on defense. They’ll likely look to add some youth on that side of the ball with their first pick. A lot of sites have them locked into Alabama ILB Dont’a Hightower and it makes sense. He is a versatile inside backer who is a surprisingly good pass rusher. He can play next to Lawrence Timmons in James Farrior’s old spot. The Steelers could look at a cornerback here as well and Stephon Gilmore or Janoris Jenkins could be options. If Dontari Poe slides, the team could take him and plug him in as their nose tackle of the future. While defense is the likely target, the team can’t rule out a wide receiver as they are thin at the position and Mike Wallace is approaching free agency. RB could also be a route they go as Mendenhall is going to miss playing time in 2012, and they lack a playmaker at the position.
In round 2 the Steelers could seriously consider taking a running back. Doug Martin, David Wilson, and Lamar Miller are widely considered to be the next best backs after Trent Richardson. If one of them falls to the Steelers in round 2, it would be awfully hard for them to pass. If those backs are all off the board the Steelers could look at defense and add a corner like Chase Minnifield, Trumaine Johnson, or Jayron Hosley. Their offensive line remains a problem and there could be a guard worth taking when they are up on day 2. Midwestwern St.’s Amini Silatolu is a tough run blocker who fits the Steelers mould, as would Illinois’ Jeff Allen.
Assuming the Steelers land Hightower in round 1, and get a back in round 2, then they’ll choose between a NT, G, or CB in the third. They would be very tempted by Alabama’s Josh Chapman if he fell to them in the third, and they’d likely give Michigan’s Mike Martin a long hard look if he were available as well, as nose guards just don’t grow on trees. Some offensive guards who could be around that would tickle their fancy would be Brandon Brooks out of Miami Ohio, Joe Looney from Wake Forest, or James Brown from Troy. If they don’t like what they see at guard then they could grab a corner with some size, and Josh Norman or Casey Heyward could be considered.
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