NFL Mock Draft 2014: Pittsburgh Steelers Select Louis Nix III

Louis Nix III, NT, Notre Dame

The Pittsburgh Steelers used to be BAD as in good. They had reliable receivers, a power running game, and a defense that was so quick and so intimidating, opponents would not sleep before the game. The original users of Black and Gold in the NFL has won a lot of games, playoff contest, and championships with this current leadership and were on the cusp of reestablishing another dynasty for the second-largest city in the U.S. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania .

But along the way, the team got elderly and began being BAD as in hot mayonnaise terrible.

No surprise to the citizenry of Pittsburgh, the Steelers have the 12^th oldest offense and THE oldest defense. As a result, they are tied for the oldest team in the league. And because they are old as water, it has shown on the field with two years under .500.

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Suffice to say, this team can use a sharp influx of youth and talent, especially considering that the defense needs a DT who can hold the point and provide a pass rush, that the starting wide-outs have jettisoned and Lance Moore is the "upgrade" at WR and a declining Ike Taylor resigning is "good news" for a secondary with no depth. So the premise for the draft is simple: acquire young and talented football professionals with size to solidify the DT, WR and CB positions.

So where to go in the first round??? Well....

The good news for the Steelers is that this draft is deep in wide receiver help. Sammy Watkins will not get past the fifth overall pick, let alone no. 15, and Mike Evans will not get past the 13th pick. Unless the Steelers trade up, which is not their moniker, the WR upgrade can wait.

Ike Taylor was a great corner for this team but he is in the twilight of his twilight years and is not guaranteed a starting spot for this team. Knowing that the Cortez Allen is a solid number two corner for the team, it is easy to say that the team needs a CB for the future. Justin Gilbert would be ideal had he been available. Darqueze Dennard would be a great addition, according to EVERY draft prognosticator. It is easy to push the button on Dennard but critiquing him, he does lack top end speed, which cannot be ignored in covering the likes of A.J. Green, Josh Gordon, and Smith Brothers in Baltimore. Inconsistency hurts Bradley Roby here and pick no. 15 would be too early for Kyle Fuller with his injury history. This is a HUGE priority, but considering that the run defense stunk on third down, suddenly the decision making becomes broader.

Remember when the defense was good? When Troy "That IS my hair" Polamalu was able to fly over the D-line? When sacks and 3^rd down stops were abundant? You should because it was not that long ago. But the constant of those great teams, even Cowher led Super Bowl teams was that the middle of those defenses were STOUT. This D has not been right since Casey Hampton left and with Jarvis Jones and Jason Worilds manning the edges and Arthur Moats signed to QB the defense, it would be nice to find a young mountain in Black and Gold. Cam Thomas was signed to a cap-friendly deal but his mammoth size works better in a rotation and Brett "DA'BEARD" Keisel is a backup at best now. So on that note, with the 15^th pick the Pittsburgh Steelers select.....

Louis Nix III, DT, Notre Dame

Da'Burgh is going to love Irish Chocolate! The wall is back!!!

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