The National Championship game ends College Football’s Bowl season and is the final contributor to draft statuses before the NFL scouting combine and player’s pro days. As of now, the Steelers may be looking a couple players from Alabama’s rout over the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
Steelers 2013 Mock Draft:
Round 1.) Manti Te’o, ILB, Notre Dame
Manti Te’o had a bad National Championship game which has finally shown many people what I have been saying all along. Te’o is a good linebacker and projects to be a very good pro, but middle linebackers don’t go in the top 10 picks of the NFL draft and Te’o’s value is closer to the 15-20 range. With the Steelers sitting at pick No. 17, they should have a good shot at drafting him. One game does not change who Te’o is and he would be the perfect defensive playmaker to add to the Steelers defense. Te’o and Lawrence Timmons would be a great inside linebacker duo for years to come. One thing Te’o brings to the table is big plays. During the 2012 season, the Steelers defensive had ten interceptions. Te’o had seven interceptions this season on his own.
Round 2.) Eddie Lacy, RB, Alabama
Lacy ran all over the Notre Dame defense in the National Championship and raised his draft stock. While his stock is rising and he could go in the first round, there’s a chance he could go in the second round and could be a good pick-up for the Steelers. He has been compared to Trent Richardson who went in the top five a year ago to the Browns. This could be the Steelers feature back of the future.
Round 3.) TJ McDonald, S, USC
McDonald’s draft stock is all over the place, but he is a great value in the third round. McDonald can likely play either safety position in the NFL and he will have time to mold into a starter. In 2013, McDonald would see minimal time with Troy Polamalu and Ryan Clark in front of him. However, with at least one of Clark and Polamalu likely on their way out after the 2013 season, McDonald would give the Steelers a starter in waiting.
Round 4.) Michael Buchanan, OLB, Illinois
Buchanan has good size at 6’5″ and 240 pounds. He would be another project for the Steelers after playing defensive end in college because he would have to move to outside linebacker. However, with James Harrison potentially leaving this off-season or next the Steelers need depth at outside linebacker. Jason Worilds is the current player in line to be the next starting outside linebacker for the Steelers, but if that doesn’t work out, Buchanan could be another option.
Round 5.) Xavier Nixon, OT, Florida
Nixon had good and bad times at left tackle for the Florida Gators during his career. Nixon could go as early as the second round depending on the combine and pro day workouts, but if he doesn’t show great things he could fall although he has the talent to be very good. With Kelvin Beachum expected to move to guard the Steelers could use another back-up tackle behind Mike Adams and Marcus Gilbert. Nixon would add to the Florida Gator depth on the offensive line also with Marcus Gilbert and Maurkice Pouncey.
Round 6.) Marcus Davis, WR, Virginia Tech
Davis is a tall receiver at 6’4″ and has good speed with an unofficial 40 yard dash time of 4.35 seconds. His size would add to a very short receiving core and his speed will help to alleviate the loss of Mike Wallace, who is considered to be on his way out of Pittsburgh. The Steelers need to grab a receiver in this draft and a good tall receiver with potential would be a plus.
Round 7.) Matt Scott, QB, Arizona
Scott has had good games and bad games at Arizona. He has the size and ability to play quarterback and could be a good project and third string guy behind Ben Roethlisberger.
Photo Credits: US Presswire
