Mangold tempting to Steelers
Remember this name: Nick Mangold. The Ohio State center may well become the next Jeff Hartings if the first round of the NFL draft falls the right way.
Mangold (6-3, 300 pounds) is recognized as the best center in the draft and is considered the second best in a combined center-guard category. He is also among the safest first-round picks on the board.
But why would the Steelers be interested in drafting a center after re-signing Hartings and current back-up Chukky Okobi? Simply put, you can’t have too many quality offensive linemen and don’t forget that those contracts were re-worked to give the team more salary cap room.
Pittsburgh is set with a starting lineup of Hartings at center, Alan Faneca and Kendall Simmons at guard and Marvel Smith and Max Starks at tackle. Behind them, reserves Okobi, tackle Trai Essex and guard Chris Kemoeatu are all under contract.
It isn’t sexy or exciting to pick offensive linemen in the first round, unless your name is Russ Grimm and your job is to coach those guys. But look at the current Steelers line and you’ll remember that Faneca and Simmons came in the first round, both considered the best at their position in their draft classes. Hartings was a first-round pick of the Lions when Kevin Colbert was running their drafts. Smith and Starks both were second-round picks.
The line is so good that Okobi can’t get on the field. That hasn’t been a problem yet, but isn’t it hard to believe that he will be entering his seventh season in the league? If he’s as good as we’ve been led to believe, he had better get on the field soon.
Enter Mangold, who had a stellar career in Columbus and has continued to impress in post-season workouts. There is a chance he may not last until the Steelers pick 32nd and last in the first round. But if he is still there, he would be hard for the Steelers to pass up.
This draft is like all others in that offensive tackles will dominate the early portion of the first round. Virginia’s D’Brickashaw Ferguson is likely a top five pick, with USC’s Winston Justice and Auburn’s Marcus McNeill to follow before the first guard is selected.
Oklahoma’s Davin Joseph is the best guard available. At 6-2, 311, Joseph has huge hands and very long arms, which help an offensive lineman maintain leverage and distance. He started 37 games in college.
If the Steelers don’t draft an offensive lineman in the first round, there are several possibilities both during Saturday’s second and third rounds or on Sunday, when the last four rounds will be drafted.
Among second-round prospects is Pitt guard Charles Spencer. At 6-4, 352, Spencer is a bit heavy by the Steelers’ standard, but fits the category of road grader. He is an excellent run blocker who can play both guard and tackle.
Max Jean-Gilles of Georgia fits the same mold as Spencer. He is the same size, but could use to lose some weight to increase his speed. USC’s Fred Matua is interesting because he started as a sophomore and junior for the National Champs, but suffered a broken leg three games into his senior season.
Among tackles, Texas’ Jonathan Scott (6-3, 315) doubles as a long snapper, while East Carolina’s Guy Whimper (6-4, 304) also can play tight end because of his 4.96 speed in the 40.
(NEXT: Defensive linemen)
(EDITOR’S NOTE: Fifth in a series about the Steelers and the upcoming NFL Draft, to be held Saturday and Sunday. Today: Offensive linemen)