2011 NFL Mock Draft: The Pittsburgh Steelers Select...

With the thirtieth pick of the 2011 CSC Community Mock Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers (represented by WVPiratesfan) select...

Ras-I Dowling, CB, Virginia

If there is one thing that this year showed the Steelers, it's that their defensive secondary just isn't going to cut it. The current line up of Ike Taylor, Bryant McFadden, Willie Gay, Troy Polamlu and LSU Alum Ryan Clark needs some help. Outside of Ike and Polamalu , the Steelers need to upgrade at those positions. While it could come from Crez Butler or Kennan Lewis, Butler spent most of his time inactive and Lewis tended to lose his temper, costing the Steelers valuable penalty yards.

So this brings us to Ras-I Dowling, who has Ike Taylor's height and speed and McFadden's size and physicality. At 6'1", 198 lbs., Dowling notched 19 reps in the bench press and ran a 4.40 40-yard dash, meaning he has all the desired measurable's. Then you look at the tape and see that he is also a good tackler and plays bump-and-run very well. Both of those are very important skills for playing in Dick LeBeau's defense.

Then there is the $1 million question: can he stay healthy? His senior season he missed a good part of the year with a broken ankle. Then he pulled up during his 40-yard dash at the Combine while still running a 4.4. This is what has caused him to fall out of the first round according to some. But I believe these are things that can be helped with the benefit of a professional training staff.