2012 NFL Mock Draft: Steelers Go Defense, Pick Dont’a Hightower

If the Steelers are picking a linebacker in the first round, chances are he’ll end up being pretty good. That’s the way it always seems to work with the Steel Curtain defense, which is getting older, so you won’t hear any complaints on this pick from me.

SB Nation’s Steelers blog, Behind The Steel Curtain, explains the pick:

James Farrior is old. Real old. It’s a wonder the 36-year old quarterback of Dick LeBeau’s defense has been able to play at as high a level as he has in recent years, but it’s about time to pass the torch. Lawrence Timmons is quite the talent and still has room for considerable improvement, but I don’t think too many fans are confident that he’s best suited to be the play caller and extension of LeBeau that is expected of the position. Hightower, however, would be a great fit. He called the plays for Nick Saban’s defense last season at Alabama. Though he may be somewhat inexperienced defending the pass in zone schemes, he takes fantastic angles to the ball, so I assume he’ll be a quick learn and be ready to take over the reigns as a starter as early as the second part of the 2012 season.

For more draft news on the Steelers, visit Behind The Steel Curtain and SB Nation Pittsburgh. And click here to follow along the rest of SB Nation’s NFL mock draft.