By Corey Corbin
WE ALL KNOW THE NFL grabs the headlines virtually every day of the week, 52 weeks a year and even though the No Fun League is in between major events, I’m going to contribute to the headline making this week.
With the NFL’s annual scouting combine wrapping up last week, I decided to take a look at some of the potential new Steelers.
Keep in mind that the guys I’m talking about are guys rumored to be headed to Pittsburgh via the No. 18 selection in next month’s college draft and aren‘t locks to be wearing the Black and Gold in 2010.
ä Mike Iupati, Idaho -- The 6-6, 330-pound mauler is a very similar player to current Steelers guard Chris Kemeoutu and would be a prototypical Pittsburgh lineman.
Coming off a solid Senior Bowl week, Iupati can play either guard or tackle, which would intrigue the Steelers’ offensive coaches.
ä Bryan Bulaga, Iowa -- Bulaga was rumored early to be headed to the Steelers -- and he still might -- but the tackle has skyrocketed up mock drafts and is now a potential Top-10 selection.
Drafting Bulaga, who is a well-rounded pass and run blocker, would allow the Steelers to slide Willie Colon inside to guard where he’s probably a better fit and strengthen the line as a whole.
ä Sergio Kindle, Texas -- Kindle would be a project for the Steelers, because the former Longhorn would have to attempt to go from a defensive end to outside linebacker.
They could still go that route with Kindle, allowing him to make the transition out of the public eye behind James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley.
Kindle would service as an insurance policy in the case Woodley doesn’t agree to a new contract with Pittsburgh before the start of free agency in 2011.
ä Sean Witherspoon, Missouri -- When the Steelers signed James Farrior as free agent in 2002, they envisioned him being able to make the switch from outside linebacker to the ‘Buck’ linebacker spot for them.
As we all know, Farrior made the transition smoothly and Witherspoon could make the same transition just as flawlessly.
Witherspoon has tons of tangibles and intangibles and from what I’ve heard has a knack for being around the action, which is what the Steelers want from their middle linebackers. It doesn’t hurt that he smiles a lot like Steelers standout receiver Hines Ward and talks a lot like former linebackers Larry Foote and Joey Porter.
ä Earl Thomas, Texas -- Thomas, red-shirt sophomore safety, is the type of ball hawk the Steelers need in their secondary.
With Pittsburgh defense only accounting for 12 interceptions, Thomas, who isn’t overly big, is a very attractive option for the Steelers, who need help at safety, because from all accounts he always finds himself making big plays.
ä Dan Williams, Tennessee -- The 6-3, 327-pound senior has been linked to the Steelers in several mock drafts, because of their need for a young defensive tackle.
If Williams is still available at No. 18, the Steelers may still select him because Williams is still improving and sitting behind Casey Hampton and Chris Hoke will allow him to learn and grow from the current defensive tackles.
ä Jared Odrick, Penn State -- The Nittany Lion appears to be a lock to go late in the first round as either a 4-3 defensive tackle or a 3-4 defensive end.
Odrick has been linked to the Steelers, but I don’t see them taking him after drafting Ziggy Hood in the first round. Plus, they like sixth rounder Sonny Harris, as well, and Odrick would give them three young defensive ends.
ä Muarkice Pouncey, Florida -- Many Pittsburgh sports experts think center Justin Hartwig is the weak link on the offensive line and Pouncey, a three-year starter with the Gators, would be a nice young replacement.
Typically, centers aren’t drafted in the first round and No. 18 would be kind of early for Pouncey, but if the Steelers want him, a trade back for more picks could be in the works.
ä Taylor Mays, USC -- Mays may have moved out of the Steelers range with a better than expected showing at the combine, running an unofficial 4.35 in the 40-yard dash.
Mays is a younger version of Ryan Clark -- in other words a head hunter -- and as long as he makes some plays, I’d be cool with him playing beside his fellow Southern California alum.
ä Rolando McClain, Alabama -- McClain could play inside and outside, but is better suited to play for a 3-4 defense after doing so for coach Nick Saban in college..
Much like a younger Farrior, McClain can stop the run, drop into coverage or rush the passer and that versatility is sure to make him a valuable commodity on Draft Day with several teams clamoring for his services. The Giants are looking for a replacement for linebacker Antonio Pierce and are rumored to like McClain.
ä Terrence Cody, Alabama -- The behemoth has plummeted down draft boards since the end of the regular season because of an unexpected weight gain.
If the Steelers like former Crimson Tide run stuffing nose tackle, they could trade back into the late first round or early second round to get him. I doubt they’d take him, because of some character flaws, but then again, they’re keeping kicker Jeff Reed around and have done the same with Harrison and receiver Santonio Holmes.
ä Brian Price, UCLA -- Although he hasn’t been linked to the Steelers in any mock draft that I’ve seen, I’m including him because he has a first round grade as a nose tackle, which the Black and Gold need.
With Hampton (33) and Chris Hoke (31) playing on their last professional legs, the Steelers need to address the position sooner rather than later.
Price dominated the PAC-10 in 2009, but I don’t know that the Steelers will take him even if they have their minds set on selecting a defensive tackle at No. 18. Stranger things have happened though.
ä Brandon Spikes, Florida -- Spikes, more than likely, won’t be taken in the first round and is a possibility to be taken when their second round selection at 52 comes around, which would allow them to focus on other positions.
If the Steelers miss on Witherspoon or McClain, Spikes would be an attractive option, because he’d allow Lawrence Timmons to slide over and replace Farrior. Timmons is much better suited to play the ‘Buck’ spot than his current ‘Mack’ position.
ä Kyle Wilson, Boise State and Patrick Robinson, Florida State -- Many draftniks have the Steelers taking a cornerback, because of their coverage needs and I agree, but the Steelers likely don’t.
After drafting cornerbacks Joe Burnett and Keenan Lewis last year, I’m of the assumption they haven’t given up on the duo, so taking a corner in the first round is unlikely.
If the Steelers do go with a cornerback, Wilson and Robinson are the likely candidates to be their top choices in a thin cornerback crop behind Florida’s Joe Haden, but Perrish Cox could also be in the mix.
Wondering who my preference is for the Steelers to take?
Wait and see, I’ll reveal my Steelers pick closer to the draft.
Corey J. Corbin is the former Sports Editor of Allied News and can be reached at gcsportsguy@yahoo.com.
