When the Pittsburgh Steelers followed up on their 1st round selection of Stanford guard David DeCastro by selecting Ohio State offensive tackle Mike Adams in the 2nd round last Friday, a lot of fans and media members around Steeler Nation were quite concerned. The concern had nothing to do with the team using a 2nd straight draft pick to select an offensive lineman. No, the concern came from the fact that the Steelers selected a player with such a checkered past.

As most Steelers fans probably know by now, Adams made some questionable decisions while in college by accepting illegal benefits and was suspended for five games last season. He further cemented his reputation as a flawed figure by testing positive for marijuana at the NFL combine just two months before the 2012 NFL Draft.

Adams would surely have been a first round prospect if not for the character issues, so the talent was obviously there. But was it worth the risk for the Steelers, a team that has seen its image as a first-class organization get tarnished a bit in recent years by some of its players not necessarily representing themselves in the "Steeler Way," to take such a player?

It's hard to say. But there's one thing I know for sure: I wouldn't want to be a person in the public eye with any sort of mistake on his or her resume. People never forget when you're a celebrity of any kind. And the mistake, even one from the distant past, can follow a person around forever.

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Before the start of the 2011 Steelers season, there was great optimism that the offense could be one of the most dynamic and explosive in franchise history. Ben Roethlisberger had long established himself as a legitimate franchise quarterback, and there was great excitement about the plethora of weapons that he had at his disposal.

Mike Wallace was quickly emerging as the best deep threat in the NFL, and there was a lot to like about 2nd year wide-outs--the final 2/3 of the Young Money trio--Emmanuel Sanders and Antonio Brown. And when you factored in all-time Steeler Hines Ward, the underrated Heath Miller, and the newly acquired Jerricho Cotchery, one wondered if there would be enough passes to go around to keep everyone happy.

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In the weeks and months leading up to the 2012 NFL Draft, the general consensus among people in the know (or at least in the opinion) was that the Steelers were going to use the 24th pick in the first round to select inside linebacker Dont'a Hightower from Alabama.

With the departing James Farrior, Hightower would be a natural choice to eventually step in and take over the role as quarterback of the defense.

Inside linebacker was obviously a need, and why not go with Hightower? He's a good character guy, and a fairly safe pick despite the concern over his major knee injury from a few years back.

However, the offensive line was also a major need for the Steelers going into this year's draft (specifically guard), and there was some talk of maybe going with Cordy Glenn of Georgia or Kevin Zeitler of Wisconsin. They were among the top ranked guards in this year's crop, but they weren't David DeCastro from Stanford. He was the highest ranked guard, and as Neal Coolong suggests, maybe one the best overall prospects in the entire draft. He was projected to go in the top 10 or 15, no way would the Steelers have a shot at him, right?

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I will be forever grateful to whomever out there in Steelers Nation made a deal with the Devil to have DeCastro fall to us in the first round. After sweating out the last few picks before the Steelers drafted the man who was in the hearts and minds of every Steelers fan, then spending the rest of the night swooning like a love sick teenager, it is now time to cross our fingers yet again for that next great prospect to fall into our laps.

33. St. Louis Rams – Stephen Hill WR, Georgia Tech

The Rams missed out on Justin Blackmon but they simply have to find a weapon for Sam Bradford.

34. Indianapolis Colts – Coby Fleener TE, Stanford

When teams draft QB’s at the top of the first round they usually find him some help in the second, so why not take their new QB's safety value at Stanford?

35. Baltimore Ravens – Courtney Upshaw OLB, Alabama

The Ravens like to go with the best player avai

lable as opposed to drafting to fill a need. They could easily take Wisconsin OC Peter Konz to fill in at OG to replace Ben Grubbs while eventually taking the center position from Matt Birk, but I don't think they'll pass up a chance to take a 3-4 OLB with a first round grade here in the second round.

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On the eve of the draft, here is one final all-rounds mock draft. Highlighting the picks in rounds 1 and 2, but each pick is made here in wake of Thursday's first round selection show.

1. Indianapolis (2-14) – QB, NT, OG, 2CB, WR, SS, TE, Rush LB, ILB, RB – Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

We already know this one, and are 99.9 percent certain of No. 2. The Colts flirted with the idea of selecting Robert Griffin but ultimately made the right decision in taking Andrew Luck. Luck has Cam Newtons athleticism and Aaron Rodgers arm so as long as he continues to work hard, he should become a star.

2. Washington - from St. Louis (2-14) – QB, WR, S, OG, ILB, RT, CB, NT, TE, C, Rush LB – Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

The Redskins made an agressive move to move up to the #2 pick and get the change to select Griffin. Griffin has incredible athleticism and great accuracy and if he can learn to avoid taking sacks, he should become a star.

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The excitement of the 2012 NFL Draft never was in the top pick. Maybe that's the reason the Indianapolis Colts confirmed the first overall choice will be Stanford QB Andrew Luck.

There's no rule that says the first pick has to wait until the commissioner announces everyone is waiting on their pick. Logically, that means they could skip right over it, move onto No. 2 and save 10 or so minutes at the end of the draft, right?

Oh wait, they put it on prime time for a reason.

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Here it is lady's and gentlemen, my final seven round mock for the 2012 draft. As always I look forward to your questions, comments, and conversations. I'm sure some of the Steelers picks will cause a stir but I hope you all enjoy.

-Jason

(big_jay71)

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1. Indianapolis Colts – Andrew Luck QB, Stanford

2011 1st round Draft Pick: Anthony Castonzo OT, Boston College
Team Needs: QB/NT/CB/S/OG/OC/TE

This pick is a done deal, a no brainer. The Colts get Luck-y yet again (terrible pun I know) by being in position to draft a franchise quarterback just as Peyton Manning’s career is winding down. But the Colts have a lot of overhauling left to do to become prominent again. Reggie Wayne will be 34 years old this season and Pierre Garcon left via free agency, and the offensive line needs an infusion of youth and talent. Also the Colts released Dallas Clark at tight end. Defensively it’s likely that new head coach Chuck Pagano with convert them into a 3-4 scheme, and even if they do stay a 4-3 Pagano will spend more time, money, and draft picks on the defense than his predecessors. Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis will convert into OLB’s in the new 3-4 scheme but who knows how well will they make that transition. The Colts also have one of the weakest secondaries in the NFL and upfront they don’t have anyone who can play nose tackle.

2. Washington Redskins (via St. Louis Rams) – Robert Griffin III QB, Baylor

2011 1st round Draft Pick: Ryan Kerrigan DE, Purdue
Team Needs: QB/OG/FS/RT/NT

The Redskins will finally get the franchise quarterback they’ve been lacking for what seems like forever after trading up with the Rams for the number two overall pick and the right to draft Robert Griffin III. Aside from quarterback the Redskins definitely need to upgrade their offensive line. Kory Lichtensteiger tore two ligaments in his knee and Jammal Brown cannot stay healthy. At wide receiver they signed Pierre Garcon and Josh Morgan but Santana Moss and Jabar Gaffney are both over 30 years old and behind them are a bunch of late-round 2011 rookies. Defensively they need an upgrade over Adam Carriker at DE and eventual successor to London Fletcher at ILB. If they draft a nose tackle at some point the Redskins could move Barry Cofield to DE which would be a better fit for him anyway. At safety they signed Brandon Meriweather to replace LaRon Landry but they also cut O.J. Atogwe so they’ll need at least one starter. Beyond that the Redskins could really use some depth at OLB since they will probably lose Rocky McIntosh to free agency and at CB even though they signed Cedric Griffin.

3. Minnesota Vikings – Matt Kalil OT, USC

2011 1st Draft Pick: Christian Ponder QB, FSU
Team Needs: LT/OG/CB/WR/S/LB/DT

The Vikings biggest issue offensively has been trouble protecting the quarterback. Matt Kalil has to be their top priority in the 2012 draft and because of the Rams trade Kalil will be available to protect Christian Ponder’s blindside for the foreseeable future. He is an elite talent and would replace a severely untalented Charlie Johnson. Even before the release of both Steve Hutchinson and Anthony Herrera the Vikings needed guard help and now they must address that need early in the draft. Defensively the Vikings biggest need would be at cornerback. Antoine Winfield is 35 years old and cannot stay healthy while Chris Cook has legal troubles, and they cut Cedric Griffin who has since signed with Washington. And at safety they’ve needed an upgrade for years. If the Vikings took anyone besides Matt Kalil it would most likely be LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne. Another option would be Oklahoma State wide receiver Justin Blackmon. A couple of years ago it was a strength but now the wide receiver corps needs an overhaul.

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Steelers General Manager Kevin Colbert thinks it's a given; if you're picking 24th, you should have 24 players evaluated correctly.

A story from Mike Bires of the Beaver County Times says the Steelers draft board is "98 percent complete" in wake of the first round of the NFL Draft, set for 8 p.m. ET Thursday. The obvious question is which 24 players make the board, and which ones will be at the end of it - in prime position for the Steelers' pick.

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