Steelers Fantasy Island: Redrafting 2010-2015

For the final time, we venture into a realm of pure fantasy and analyze aspects of Steeler drafts from 1975-2015. This time around, it's clear that early returns show Colbert and company have been pretty good for the most part of the ‘10s. So let’s journey back to the days that yielded a Pittsburgh-football legacy, Juice and a guy that nobody calls Alvin.

But first we have to read the fine print.

I realize that any changes would possibly alter the Steelers entirely and that the Steelers that we know today could look altogether different. Remember that this is merely an essay on what other possibilities existed. I only chose players drafted within 15 picks of the Steelers actual choice. I only included the first two rounds of each draft from 1975-2015. Remember to have fun as we drift into fantasy and destroy the space-time continuum altogether.

The redraft, boss...the redraft. Welcome to the final installment of Steelers Fantasy Island.

2010

Round 1 Pick 18

Actual Pick: C Maurkice Pouncey-Florida

Re-Pick: No Change

Except for the two seasons that he ended up on the IR (2013 and 2015), Maurkice Pouncey was a Pro Bowl selection all five times he finished a season. Pouncey is a difference maker when healthy. This was a blockbuster selection for Pittsburgh.

Round 2 Pick

Actual Pick: OLB Jason Worilds-Virginia Tech (Round 2 Pick 52)

Re-Pick: DE Carlos Dunlap-Florida (Round 2 Pick 54)

Steeler Nation never really embraced the selection of Worilds. However, he was more productive than Jarvis Jones was in his Steeler career. Worilds had 25.5 sacks in five years and was projected to make somewhere in the neighborhood of $8-10M per year plus a hefty signing bonus. But Worilds chose to retire from football altogether and embrace his faith as a Jehovah's Witness.

Carlos Dunlap would have been a great pick. Not only would they have missed the twice-a-year torment they suffer from Dunlap playing in Cincinnati, they would have acquired a 2x Pro Bowler that recorded 57 sacks, 35 pass deflections and 15 forced fumbles.

2011

Round 1 Pick 31

Actual Pick: DE Cam Heyward-Ohio State

Re-Pick: No Change

Heyward started off slow in Pittsburgh, but since has become the heart and soul of the Steelers defense. The son of a Pitt legend, Craig "Ironhead" Heyward is becoming a legend in his own right. Although never a Pro Bowler, Heyward has garnered 218 tackles and 25 sacks in his six Steeler seasons.

Round 2 Pick 63

Actual Pick: OT Marcus Gilbert-Florida (Round 2 Pick 54)

Re-pick: No Change

Gilbert has locked down the right side of the offensive line in his six Steeler campaigns. After signing a contract extension right before the start of the 2014 season, Gilbert has elevated his game even higher. Steeler Nation feels that Gilbert has been Pro Bowl-worthy the past two years, but he has been the victim of a snub.

2012

Round 1 Pick 24

Actual Pick: OG David DeCastro

Re-Pick: No Change

The Steelers made a concerted effort to rebuild their line and DeCastro has joined Gilbert solidifying the right side of the it. So far, the Stanford alum is 2x Pro Bowl selection. LB Dont'a Hightower was highly sought after here too. But if protection of the QB is a must, then the Steelers got what they needed here.

Round 2 Pick 56

Actual Pick: OT Mike Adams-Ohio State

Re-Pick: LB Lavonte David-Nebraska (Round 2 Pick 58)

Adams started 20 games in three seasons for Pittsburgh, but never quite lived up to lofty expectations expected from a specimen of 6'7"and 323 lbs. Adams was picked up by Chicago after his release by the Steelers following 2014, but his struggles continued there.

David has stood out in Tampa at LB with 664 career tackles, 18 career sacks and twelve forced fumbles. David is a 2x All Pro and a 1x Pro Bowler.

2013

Round 1 Pick 17

Actual Pick: Jarvis Jones

Re-Pick: TE Tyler Eifert-Notre Dame (Round 1 Pick 21)

The 2013 Draft produced plenty of players that failed to produce. Jarvis Jones is one of those players and he heard the boos from a disappointed Steeler Nation. Jones always seemed to be in the area, but always a step too slow. Jarvis lost a lot of games to injury early on and only had six sacks and two picks in four seasons. His fate seemed sealed when he was a healthy scratch for a pivotal contest on Christmas Day against Baltimore. Jones departed for Arizona in the offseason.

When healthy, the 6'6" Eifert is an elite TE. However, the Bengals star has missed 27 games in four years. Eifert is hard to cover and has caught 123 balls and 20 touchdowns in four years. Imagine if he was available full-time. I'd take him either way.

Round 2 Pick 48

Actual Pick: RB Le'Veon Bell-Michigan State

Re-Pick: No Change

In four seasons, Le'Veon Bell is one of the finest, all-around RBs in the game today. With 6,050 Yards both running (4,045) and receiving (2,005), Bell is dominating defenses and carrying a full load. Since 2013, "Juice" has 31 total TDs. The only flaw with No. 26 is a tendency to get injured and a habit of getting suspended.

2014

Round 1 Pick 15

Actual Pick: LB Ryan Shazier-Ohio State

Re-Pick: No Change

Shazier was finally was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2016. When healthy, No. 50 is a game-changer and terrorizes offenses. His two forced fumbles in the AFC Wildcard after 2015 were paramount in the victory over Cincinnati.

Round 2 Pick 46

Actual Pick: DE Stephon Tuitt-Note Dame

Re-Pick: No Change

Tuitt is becoming one of the most valuable defenders for the Steelers. Along with Bell, No. 91 is thought to be the player with the highest priority for an extension. The hulking defensive end has 11.5 sacks in three Steeler seasons.

2015

Round 1 Pick 22

Actual Pick: OLB Alvin "Bud" Dupree-Kentucky

Re-Pick: No Change

At 269 pounds, Dupree is a large man coming off of the edge and has been emerging the past two seasons. Dupree missed a majority of the 2016 season due to a sports hernia injury, but recorded 4.5 of his 8.5 career sacks in seven games. The pass-rushing coach and guru, Chuck Smith, has been working with Dupree in the offseason and sees No. 48 as a potential winner of the Defensive Player of the Year Award.

Round 2 Pick 56

Actual Pick: CB Senquez Golson-Mississippi

Re-Pick: OT Rob Havenstein-Wisconsin (Round 2 Pick 57)

After missing his first two seasons, Steeler Nation is hoping that Golson can make his debut and thrive this season. Although on the smaller side, Golson was an interception machine in college with 16 total and 10 his senior season. In the pros, Golson has had a shoulder injury and a Lisfranc injury end his last two camps. The Ole Miss cornerback has been cleared to play and hopefully he can. But now more trepidation surrounding this pick has arisen with Golson having been found with a handgun and ammo at an airport last week.

Havenstein is a mammoth tackle with good skill. The 6'8" LA Ram has started all 28 of the games he has appeared in.