2011 SB Nation NFL Mock Draft: Round 2, Pick 63

Our annual 2011 NFL Mock Draft, with picks made by each of SB Nation’s NFL team bloggers, is in full swing. The latest pick in to the podium: the Pittsburgh Steelers, at No. 63 overall.

Michael Bean of BehindTheSteelCurtain.com explains the choice, and our own Dan Kadar reacts to it, after the jump. Make sure you’re grading this pick for the Steelers, and checking out Behind the Steel Curtain for all of your Steelers needs.

Michael Bean explains: Had Dowling come out in 2010 after his junior season, there’s no question that he would have been a first-round pick. An injury-plagued senior season at Virginia, however, has resulted in his draft stock plummeting in the eyes of many. Dowling played in just five games as a senior, missing games with a multitude of injuries (broken ankle, knee, hamstring). Despite there being legitimate reasons to be concerned about his durability, it’s worth noting that the kid stayed on the field consistently prior to his senior season. More importantly, though, Dowling possesses the physical characteristics that Kevin Colbert and the Steelers covet from their corners.

Colbert recently explained what those traits are: “We always want size, we always want speed, we always want athleticism, we always want toughness, we always want ball skills and productivity.”

Dowling is 6’2” so check on the size front; he’s got 4.3-4.4 speed; he’s physical and tough at 200 pounds; his ball skills are solid; and he’s a high character guy. I don’t see there being any way that he lasts this long next weekend in the draft, and I can tell you that Steeler Nation would be thrilled to see his name still on the board when the six-time Super Bowl champs select late in the second round.

Dan Kadar reacts: I might not have Dowling rated quite high enough to be a second-round pick, but this is a great selection. Dowling is a perfect scheme fit for the Steelers and there’s plenty of reason to think he can start immediately. He’s the kind of player who, when the Steelers are in the Super Bowl again, you’ll look and wonder how they got such a a steal in the draft. So, why then don’t I think quite as highly of Dowling? His injury history scares me. It wasn’t a freak injury that knocked him out. It was a series of injuries. For me, that’s a big-time red flag. He’s also a little scheme specific. Fortunately for Pittsburgh, he’s the exact fit for them. [Ras-I Dowling Scouting Report]