Ovi's Sunshine Final

[Oviedo]

I like your picks but i am not sure if Steelers are high on Kevin Zietler especially after Kraig Ubrik episode.

If Mike Adams and Hightower are there who would Steelers pick? OT/OG is more of a need whereas ILB is a luxury pick.

I don't think the Steelers would avoid a player because of another player they previously had. Besides, the so called "Urbik episode" ended up with the Bills having a starting Guard they seem to be pleased with while we are still looking for two decent starting Guards.

[pfelix73]

Well, you know my feelings on this, so I will only say that I appreciate your effort and time thinking up a mock.. Anyone who does them on here deserves credit for putting in the time required to research it. Personally, I don't have all that much time anymore, so I stay away from doing them. But I'm not sure why you think they don't like Hightower at 24. The only other player the Steelers (my opinion based on what I've heard and read) have above Hightower on their draft board is Glenn. Barron is even below Hightower on what I've been seeing....We'll all find out in a little over a week, then we can all critique what they did....

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

IMO the Steelers are not afraid to make an "off the grid" kind of move. They will overdraft a player who they really want instead of falling back and hoping that he - or someone equivalent - is still available. They did this in '07 with Timmons. There were several LBs available who were considered similar prospects - Timmons, Beason, Poz, etc. There were other need position players available - Staley, Leon Hall, Aaron Ross, Grubbs, but I believe that they identified their man and did not risk losing him.

If someone like Zeitler is their man this year then do not be surprised if they take him in a spot that others consider too high. I'm not saying that he is, but I would not knock this mock because of it. If the brass considers this guy to be the #3 OG and they want him they would not hesitate.

[Sugar]

We aren't taking Hightower in Round 1. Everyone needs to move past that. Just my opinion.

I'm curious as to why you say this. Do you think Hightower will be gone by the time we get to him? Do you think the FO doesn't think much of him as a player or...?

[Steelersrock151]

One thing I've noticed is that the Pro-Hightower people tend to be very pro-Hightower, but with a dose of reality (if Glenn falls, or Keuchly, or Barron, they're more than ok with that as the pick). The anti-Hightower people are really, really anti-Hightower. They want a secodn or third round talent over him.

[Dee Dub]

I'm curious as to why you say this. Do you think Hightower will be gone by the time we get to him? Do you think the FO doesn't think much of him as a player or...?

It was as he said, his opinion. Not the Steelers opinion. The Steelers made it known at the combine that they were very much interested in him and for a second time interviewed him last week.

[Dee Dub]

One thing I've noticed is that the Pro-Hightower people tend to be very pro-Hightower, but with a dose of reality (if Glenn falls, or Keuchly, or Barron, they're more than ok with that as the pick). The anti-Hightower people are really, really anti-Hightower. They want a secodn or third round talent over him.

Exactly. And I think I am probably the biggest pro-Hightower. But I understand that Keuchly and Glenn are higher rated players than him.

But I will let you in on a little secret. I dont feel that way about Barron. In the NFL he is going to have to play SS and he is no where near what Troy Polamalu is so how he is projected mid first round is beyond me.

[Oviedo]

It was as he said, his opinion. Not the Steelers opinion. The Steelers made it known at the combine that they were very much interested in him and for a second time interviewed him last week.

Speaking for myself, yes it is my opinion just like DD's opinion. I just think that they have bigger needs and they recognize that than adding yet another piece to probably the strongest, deepest and highest paid part of the team. Then there is always the issue of him not playing as a rookie although we have been assured that this would not be the case with Hightower.

[RuthlessBurgher]

One thing I've noticed is that the Pro-Hightower people tend to be very pro-Hightower, but with a dose of reality (if Glenn falls, or Keuchly, or Barron, they're more than ok with that as the pick). The anti-Hightower people are really, really anti-Hightower. They want a secodn or third round talent over him.

I don't understand it either. Personally, I'm not particularly pro-Hightower or anti-Hightower. I like him but don't love him. Think he provides solid value at #24, but still hoping that another player that I have rated higher than that falls to us (or falls within reasonably range of a trade-up).

I prefer a top-rated o-lineman like DeCastro or Martin or Glenn, or a higher ranked ILB like Kuechly or the top-ranked safety in the draft like Barron to Hightower if we could somehow get one of them, but if not, I'd be much happier with Hightower at #24 than someone like Mike Adams (think he is a bad fit in several respects) or Kevin Zeitler (overdrafting a second round talent at #24; good teams take the BPA, they don't reach like this).