Who Should Steelers Take In First Round of 2012 Draft?
Today was the last day of the combine, and all the numbers are in. There’s been surprises, and there’s been some let downs. Three consistent names have floated around the Steelers camp since the offseason began and we all started to contemplate ‘The Draft.’ Cordy Glenn, Dontari Poe, and Dont’a Hightower. All different skill positions, all needs for the Steelers. So who’s it going to be if all three are around by pick #24?
Cordy Glenn, OG
40 time – 5.15
Reps – 31
Vertical – 23.5
Broad – 93
3-cone – 8.13
Shuttle – 5.0
Glenn has impressed with his agility. Glenn has certainly made a case that he can perform at tackle at the NFL level. I stated before that the advantage he would have being with the Steelers is he can be a floater on the line early on in his career. As we know, our linemen tend to get injured early and often for some bizarre reason. Having Glenn in the lineup as someone who could play the outside as well as the inside would be invaluable to this team. Glenn’s performance today turned some heads. Hopefully, not too many before the Steelers can nab him in the first round.
Dontari Poe, NT
40 time – 4.98
Reps – 44
Vertical – 29.5
Broad – 105.0
3-cone – 7.90
Shuttle – 4.56
Like Hampton, Poe will draw double teams all day with his size. He has good hands, which will be handy (pun intended?) as he tries to work his way around blocks or clog up lanes. As is the biggest strength needed with a Steelers NT is the ability to fill a lane and force the ball carrier to go another route, or allow the LB’s to get through a different lane. Analyses have his agility as a weakness because he could never play the edge in a 3-4. So what? The Steelers would never need him for that.
Dont’a Hightower, LB
40 time – 4.68
Reps – Not Available from NFL.com
Vertical – 32.0
Broad – Not Available
3-cone – Not Available
Shuttle – Not Available
Dont’a has good arms and uses great angles of attack to tackle the ball carrier. He’s played in a 3-4 his whole college career and is the closest defender you could have to be just about ready to start in a Dick LeBeau defense. Dont’a posses strengths that will be a nice counterpart to Timmons. Timmons good against man, bad in zone. Hightower good in zone, bad against man. He’s played on the end before. The Steelers love players who can fill multiple roles due to other injured players. Timmons did very well with Harrison out during his eye injury. Hightower has the same potential to ‘fill in’ on the outside.
Three good players. All in danger of going early (by early I mean within the first two rounds). The Steelers have need at NT, OG, and LB. Hard to tell what position is in more dire need. I personally think that the Steelers should go guard then linebacker then defensive line.