The Steelers first pick of the 2014 NFL draft is...

[Shawn]

Not sure what games you have seen Lewan play but I have never seen him get manhandled. If anything he is overly aggressive and manhandles the crap out of opponents.

IN 2012, He had a tough day against Clowney, Notre Dame, and the Buckeyes.

Most of the scouting sites seem to agree that there are some questions surrounding Lewan.

FFtoolbox: The big concern though is his ability to seal the edge against fast pass-rushing specialists. His change of direction is seriously lacking and could be abused by doubles moves.

Walters: Even though Lewan steadily improved over the course of the 2012 season, he isn't quite a finished product. The junior could use more development before going pro. His run blocking is ahead of his pass protection. Lewan is reliable pass-blocker, but still needs work on his overall technique. He could stand to improve his quickness in getting depth in his drop. If Lewan is drafted at left tackle, he could always move to the right side if that proves to be a better fit for him, but if teams view him as a right tackle it will probably hurt his draft stock and push him lower.

CBS: Needs to stay focused to cut down on penalties and use proper footwork and technique, not simply relying on his natural ability. Struggled with jab-steps and counters back inside when battling South Carolina star pass rusher Jadeveon Clowney in the Outback Bowl, and didn't excel in high-profile matchups against Alabama and Ohio State earlier in 2012. Tends to drop his head upon contact.

[Shawn]

O, let me say this...I do like his nasty streak. I do think he plays with heart. But, are his feet fast enough to play LT? Probably not. And IMO, most RTs are not worth a top 10-15 pick especially when you need help at so many positions.

[hawaiiansteel]

Round 1) Pittsburgh Steelers: Louis Nix, DT, Notre Dame

The Steelers could use some young talent for their defensive line. Casey Hampton was let go. Ziggy Hood is entering free agency and may not be worth re-signing in the long term. Brett Keisel is 35 and has two sacks this season. Cameron Heyward has three sacks in 2013 and only had 2.5 sacks as a backup the previous two seasons. If the Steelers draft Nix, Steve McLendon could move to end.

Nix (6-3, 340) was a stud in 2012. He was a disruptive force at the line of scrimmage, and his stats don't illustrate how much he dominated interior offensive linemen. The havoc Nix caused helped Stephon Tuitt and Manti Te'o to make plays. Nix totaled 50 tackles, 7.5 tackles for a loss, two sacks, five passes batted and one forced fumble for the season.

In 2013, Nix recorded 27 tackles with two tackles for a loss. He played well against Michigan, totaling four tackles and a tackle for a loss, and was very disruptive at the point of attack. Nix started slowly against USC before playing well in the final three quarters. His contribution to the pass rush is greater than the numbers indicate. Nix is out for the rest of the year after choosing to undergo knee surgery. He had been playing with a torn meniscus and went to Dr. James Andrews to have the knee fixed.

[URL]http://walterfootball.com/index.php[/URL]

[Dee Dub]

As much as I would love an OT (Matthews or Kouandjio), the Steelers aren't drafting one with their first pick. They have been saying over and over and over that they are very pleased with Kelvin Beechum. And with Gilbert and Adams on the roster it just isnt going to happen.

As of right now, I think the best player available at or around pick 12 that fits a team need, is CB Justin Gilbert. He is also a punt/kick off returner which would take/relieve Antonio Brown of that duty.

[hawaiiansteel]

Round 1 (12) Pittsburgh Steelers: Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson

The Steelers will never pass up the opportunity to grab a great offensive play-maker if one is available to them. This draft class is top-heavy at receiver, so with Jake Matthews off the board, Pittsburgh can go with the best player available, and that would be Sammy Watkins. Pittsburgh lost its deep threat this past offseason when the overrated Mike Wallace took the money and ran to Miami. Watkins would assume that role.

[URL]http://walterfootball.com/draft2014.php[/URL]

[Shoe]

Gosh, that would be interesting

Round 1 (12) Pittsburgh Steelers: Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson

The Steelers will never pass up the opportunity to grab a great offensive play-maker if one is available to them. This draft class is top-heavy at receiver, so with Jake Matthews off the board, Pittsburgh can go with the best player available, and that would be Sammy Watkins. Pittsburgh lost its deep threat this past offseason when the overrated Mike Wallace took the money and ran to Miami. Watkins would assume that role.

[URL]http://walterfootball.com/draft2014.php[/URL]

All the guys I would like to see us take (Matthews, Nix, Barr) will be gone. If that is the case, it would mean we are probably in that 10-12 range. And that being the case, if Watkins is sitting there, I can't think of too many more guys with that amount of game-changing ability.

[SS Laser]

As much as I would love an OT (Matthews or Kouandjio), the Steelers aren't drafting one with their first pick. They have been saying over and over and over that they are very pleased with Kelvin Beechum. And with Gilbert and Adams on the roster it just isnt going to happen.

As of right now, I think the best player available at or around pick 12 that fits a team need, is CB Justin Gilbert. He is also a punt/kick off returner which would take/relieve Antonio Brown of that duty.

HEY DUB! So I like the 1st rd CB pick and the other CB pick. Not sure on the rest. Need to hear what you have to say about them.

[Shawn]

All the guys I would like to see us take (Matthews, Nix, Barr) will be gone. If that is the case, it would mean we are probably in that 10-12 range. And that being the case, if Watkins is sitting there, I can't think of too many more guys with that amount of game-changing ability.

Do we really want another WR known for tokin' bowls?

[JUST-PLAIN-NASTY]

I'm slotting the Steelers picking 17th'ish. That being said...I don't like any of the CBs for the Steelers in the Top 20. However....There are two CBs who I have 1st round grades on right now & they are Dennard & Gilbert.

[Oviedo]

All the guys I would like to see us take (Matthews, Nix, Barr) will be gone. If that is the case, it would mean we are probably in that 10-12 range. And that being the case, if Watkins is sitting there, I can't think of too many more guys with that amount of game-changing ability.

...as long as he isn't another "overrated Mike Wallace." The little I have seen of him playing shows me he has a far greater complement of skills than just running fast.

[Shawn]

...as long as he isn't another "overrated Mike Wallace." The little I have seen of him playing shows me he has a far greater complement of skills than just running fast.

I'm honestly not sure what people see in Watkins...at least as a top 15 pick. He reminds me of a less polished Santonio Holmes including the marijuana baggage. Holmes IMO was a way more polished route runner, quicker in short space, equally fast top end, and had comparable hands. If Holmes would have had Boyd throwing to him, he would have tore up the NCAA. Would you pass on an elite DB, or a franchise LT for Holmes? I sure wouldn't.

[Shawn]

...as long as he isn't another "overrated Mike Wallace." The little I have seen of him playing shows me he has a far greater complement of skills than just running fast.

Watkins isn't nearly as fast as Wallace. Watkins is a 4.4-4.5 kinda guy...although he self reported to run an "unofficial" 4.2. So, comparing him to Wallace isn't a good comparison. Wallace is a freak. Holmes was faster than Watkins coming out of college...that is a better comparison. He is a poor man's Santonio Holmes.

[feltdizz]

I don't want ANY WR's in the first round... WR isn't our problem.

[Oviedo]

I don't want ANY WR's in the first round... WR isn't our problem.

I agree. I can think of at least five positions that we have a greater need at than WR---in order Left Tackle, Cornerback, Tight End, Safety, Nose Tackle

[Shawn]

I agree. I can think of at least five positions that we have a greater need at than WR---in order Left Tackle, Cornerback, Tight End, Safety, Nose Tackle

I would agree with that. We need a LT, DB, and NT probably equally. IMO, it's about best player available in those positions.