2013 NFL Draft: Players the Pittsburgh Steelers should target during Day 2
By Matt Shetler
Defensive Options
The Steelers could sacrifice offense and instead look to rebuild their defense. If they do, there is no shortage of talented playmakers they could target in the second and third rounds. If that’s the case, here’s a look at some potential targets.
Jonathan Banks, CB, Mississippi State: Banks is a solid corer with great speed and ball skills. He intercepted a school-record 16 passes at Mississippi State. That should get the attention of the Steelers, who forced just 35 turnovers in 2011 and 2012 combined. He is also versatile as Banks also played safety in college.
Jan 9, 2012; New Orleans, LA, USA; LSU Tigers cornerback Tyrann Mathieu (7) during the first half of the 2012 BCS National Championship game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Tyrann Mathieu, CB, LSU: If the “Honey Badger” is available in Round 3, it would be hard not to think about pulling the trigger. Someone is going to take him and get one heck of a football player. Why not the Steelers?
Jamar Taylor, CB, Boise State: Taylor has a load of talent and some big time ability. It would be nice to add some 4.3 speed on the outside.
Kevin Minter, LB, LSU: Minter is a tough inside linebacker that would provide depth in the Steelers 3-4 scheme. He has great awareness and instincts and is a tackling machine.
Arthur Brown, LB, Kansas State: At 6’0″, 241 pounds, Brown lacks size, but he plays much bigger than he is, with fluidity, aggression and awareness. He’s a very good linebacker who has a knack for being around the ball.
Manti Te’o, LB, Notre Dame: I’m not a big fan of Te’o’s skill set and don’t think he would be a very good 3-4 inside linebacker. But he’s worth taking a look at if he slides to the Steelers in the second round, although I like Minter and Brown as better fits.
Jonathan Cyprien, S, FIU: Cyprien is a very physical safety and would add some youth and playmaking skills to the Steelers defensive backfield. He has first-round talent and would be a steal at No. 48.
Phillip Thomas, S, Fresno State: Thomas is a good tackler with good ball skills and given the Steelers inability to force turnovers, it would be hard to not look at a guy that forced 20 turnovers in college. Thomas intercepted 13 passes, forced six fumbles and recovered one during his career at Fresno State, which included eight interceptions (led the nation), returning three of them for touchdowns in 2012. He did all that after coming back from a broken leg and dislocated ankle that wiped out his 2011 season.