Pro Football Draft Network | 2012 Pro Football Draft Analysis

1^st Round (#31) DE Cam Heyward, Ohio State

2nd Round (#63) OT Marcus Gilbert, Florida

3rd Round (#95) CB Curtis Brown, Texas

4^th Round (#128) CB Cortez Allen, Citadel

5th Round (#162) DE Chris Carter, Fresno State

6^th Round (#196) G Keith Williams, Nebraska

7^th Round (#232) RB Baron Batch, Texas Tech

Analysis of Notable Selections:

Cam Heyward: The Steelers are old on the defensive line.  DE Aaron Smith is 35 and has been breaking down the past couple of seasons.  DE Brett Keisel is 32 and NT Casey Hampton is 33.  The 2011 NFL Draft was loaded with quality defensive ends suited to the 3-4 defense.  Pittsburgh took advantage of this and selected Cam Heyward.  The former Ohio State captain is excellent against the run.  Heyward will never be a big pass rusher, but he has the size to be a very good defensive end in the 3-4.  He will pair with Ziggy Hood to give Pittsburgh a couple of up and coming defensive ends.  It is true that the offensive line and cornerback positions needed reinforcements.  However, the potential rapid decline of an old defensive line could not be ignored. 

Marcus Gilbert: Pittsburgh will benefit from the return from injury of LT Max Starks and RT Willie Colon in 2011.  Gilbert is a finesse offensive tackle who needs to play more aggressively to be more than a backup.  The Steelers passed on a couple of tough interior linemen (John Moffitt and Will Rackley) who can run block.  Rashard Mendenhall averaged only 3.9 yards per carry last season.  The addition of a physical guard would have bolstered the effectiveness of the team’s ground game. 

Curtis Brown: Every team needs plenty of depth at cornerback.  Curtis Brown is not particularly strong or physical.  However, he has the speed, quickness and fluid hips to cover NFL receivers.  He represents value late in the 3^rd round.  He could be a nice addition if he can get stronger and toughen up a bit.

Cortez Allen: Anyone who watched the Super Bowl knows that Pittsburgh did not have enough depth at cornerback to match-up with Green Bay’s multiple receiver sets.  Allen has good size (6’ 1” and 197 lbs) and movement skills.  He played both off and press coverage at the Citadel.  The Steelers like his upside and believe he can eventually contribute as a 4^th cornerback.  He tackles well enough to play on special teams.  PFDN had a slight preference for Davon House (better ball skills), but this pick adds more competition to the cornerback position.

Chris Carter: PFDN had a 5^th round grade on Carter, but thought he would be drafted earlier due to his 11 sacks as a senior.  He is an undersized defensive end who will have to be converted into an outside linebacker.  Carter made sense in the 5^th round.  He plays hard and has a decent burst on his outside rush.  Carter has to add to his repertoire of moves when rushing.  He is a project with some skills.

2011 NFL Draft Grade: C+

Bottom Line: Pittsburgh had a mediocre draft.  Cam Heyward should be solid, but Marcus Gilbert was drafted to start in a year.  He will have to raise his intensity level and focus to meet this challenge.  Curtis Brown and Cortez Allen have a decent chance of being reliable 3^rd and 4^th cornerbacks.