31. 3-4 DE Cameron Heyward B+

Cornerback and offensive line were bigger needs, and someone like Brandon Harris, a cornerback, was rated much higher on my board than Cameron Heyward, but defensive end was still a need for the future and Heyward fits the range. There were better picks, but this makes sense.

63. OT Marcus Gilbert B-

Offensive line was definitely a need and Gilbert can play both guard and tackle and he fits the blocking scheme, but he was a reach by at least a round by my board.

95. CB Curtis Brown A

Cornerback was their biggest need and though I would have preferred to have seen them take a cornerback early, however, Brown is an early 2^nd round value by my board so this is a great steal at a position of need.

128. CB Cortez Allen C+

Two cornerbacks were definitely needed. Teams that can spread them out and neutralize their pass rush have a field day on their secondary. On top of that, Ike Taylor is a free agent. Allen was a reach in my opinion, though.

162. RLB Chris Carter A

Rush linebacker wasn’t a need with James Harrison, LaMarr Woodley, and 2010 2^nd round pick Jason Worilds. However, you can never have enough pass rushers and Carter was a steal as a prospect with a 3^rd round grade.

196. G Keith Williams B

Guard was another need on the offensive front for them. I had a 7^th round grade on him so this isn’t a perfect fit range wise, but it’s not a huge reach either.

232. RB Baron Batch C

They needed a 3^rd down back with Mewelde Moore being a free agent, but I think there were better backs available. Batch didn’t produce much in college even in a gimmick offense.

Overall:

This wasn’t a great draft, but I think it was a good draft. Cameron Heyward in the first round was a solid pick and Marcus Gilbert in the 2^nd fills a need and wasn’t a huge reach. Curtis Brown in the 3^rd round was the steal of their draft class and Chris Carter at 162, even though he doesn’t fill a need, was too good to pass on for a team like Pittsburgh that didn’t have a lot of needs. They got two cornerbacks out of the draft, though Cortez Allen was a reach. Keith Williams late was also a solid pick, though Baron Batch wasn’t a great pick.

Grade: B+