With the 24th pick in the 2012 MHR Community Mock Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers select:
Cordy Glenn, Offensive Tackle, Georgia
Steelers' GM: mikebirty
GM Analysis: After a humiliating playoff defeat to the Denver Broncos the Steelers were sent home to lick their wounds a lot earlier than they expected. The Steelers are not an organisation which celebrate *just* reaching the playoffs, when they play the game they either win or they die.
They have some similar needs to Denver, so stop me when this sounds familiar. The Steelers could do with an upgrade on the defensive line where they will eventually need to replace the old and often injured Casey Hampton, so don't be surprised if this pick is a big space eating nose tackle. The Steelers could take this opportunity to find the long term successor to Troy Polamalu if Mark Barron was to fall this far. They are also on the look out for a #2 running back and a long term answer at back up quarterback - so don't be surprised if they are looking at the same players as Denver in the mid to late rounds.
However, for the first time in a few years, the Steelers may not have the luxury of simply picking the best player available as they have two huge needs. James Farrior was cut so there's a huge need for an inside linebacker and with Dont'a Hightower falling this far, he is a possibility. A lot of the mock drafts will have the Steelers taking Hightower and, from what I have read, I think a lot of Steelers fans want to see him as a Steeler.
That said, winter is coming and the Steelers' offensive line is a mess. They had the highest number of different offensive line combinations in the NFL last year. Doug Legursky a back up center was starting at guard, the often injured and also not very good Willie Colon played tackle and guard and Trai Essex played all five offensive line positions. Unlike Denver, the Steelers have plenty of depth and flexibility but their starters are less clear.
This needs to be addressed. For a team that prides themselves as a tough inside running team, the 350lb Guard should be an instant starter next to Maurkice Pouncey. Glenn is aggressive and the sort of big, mauling blocker that's needed in Pittsburgh and what, I think, is more important is that he has shown some durability in his college career - something the Steelers need on their line. He also offers the potential of playing at Right Tackle depending on what other moves Pittsburgh make during the rest of the off season.
Commissioner's Analysis: I'm a big fan of this pick. I think the Steelers have a huge need on the offensive line, and Glenn can fill whatever need they want him to. He can play guard or tackle, and has excellent athletic ability to go with his size and strength. This pick would be sort of boring for Steelers fans, but you have to get the sense that their fan base feels the same way about offensive linemen as ours does defensive tackles. Glenn can play either guard or right tackle, and offers a ton of upside for a great team like Pittsburgh.
Draft Recap:
1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
2. Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor
3. Minnesota Vikings: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama
4. Cleveland Browns: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU
6. St. Louis Rams: Matt Kalil, OT, USC
7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina
8. Miami Dolphins: David DeCastro, OG, Stanford
9. Carolina Panthers: Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State
10. Buffalo Bills: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame
11. Kansas City Chiefs: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU
12. Seattle Seahawks: Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina
13. Arizona Cardinals: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa
14. Dallas Cowboys: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College
15. Philadelphia Eagles: Mark Barron, S, Alabama
16. New York Jets: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford
17. Cincinnati Bengals: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina
18. San Diego Chargers: Dre' Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama
19. Chicago Bears: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor
20. Tennessee Titans: Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois
21. Cincinnati Bengals: Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina
22. Cleveland Browns: Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M
23. Detroit Lions: Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama
24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Cordy Glenn, OT, Georgia
On the clock...Denver Broncos (coffee)
