No. 23

by Behind the Steel Curtain Branden Albert Offensive Guard Virginia

With the twenty-third overall selection in the 2008 SB Nation NFL Mock Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers have selected Virginia guard/tackle Branden Albert.  Blitzburgh, lead Steeler guru over at Behind the Steel Curtain, eagerly made the selection and is here to explain why Albert is a perfect fit in the Steel City:

  This one's really a no-brainer for the Steelers. If Branden Albert were indeed to fall to #23, the Steelers would more than likely snag him in a heartbeat.

I hate to pass up Jerod Mayo, the player in this year's draft that I think will surprise people with not only his performance in 2008, but also with where he's selected in the first round, but the glaring needs along the Steelers' offensive line make it impossible to pass on Branden Albert, Virginia.

The departure of Alan Faneca via free agency leaves even more question marks for a Steelers' line that surrendered an unacceptable 47 sacks in '07. With all the money the organization dumped into re-upping Ben Roethlisberger's contract for the next 8 years, it's only logical that the front office follows up by investing in the unit that is in charge of protecting their most expensive asset. The general consensus among draftniks just a few short weeks ago was the Albert would be available at #23 for the Steelers. Now, Albert's stock seems to be rising meteorically. Mr. Kiper has projected recently that Albert could go as high as #5, partly due to his positional versatility. If he is indeed able to play either at the guard or tackle position at the next level, the Steelers will get even more potential value from the pick, as the team has multiple parts that can be shuffled around in order to find a combination that works.

Many Steelers fans think RT Willie Colon, who struggled mightily in 2007, will be moved inside to his more natural guard position where footspeed will be less of an issue. It appears RFA Max Starks will be retained, but even so, there will likely be ample playing time for Albert in 2008, as Starks has been inconsistent thus far in his career, and incumbent LT Marvel Smith is dealing with a tricky back injury that he may or may not have recovered fully from this offseason. Guys like Chris Kemoeatu and Sean Mahan are in the mix right now for playing time, but if the Steelers are forced to rely on either of them significantly in 2008, the results will likely not be all that different than they were in 2007. Throw Albert in the mix and likely one of those two will be relegated to the sidelines where they belong.

The Steelers have a young, blossoming QB, one of the better values in the league at RB, a top-tier defense, and ample receiving threats in the passing game. The missing link is in the trenches. I'll leave the technical analysis of Albert's potential to others, but considering the kid's young age, positional versatility, and the undisputable need to take at least one lineman on Day 1 in this draft, I without hesitation select Branden Albert, G, Virginia.

Matt Miller, host of this site as well as owner of New Era Scouting, provides his analysis below:

  There is no shame in almost drafting Jerod Mayo, we love the kid and hope he ends up a 49er (Fooch...). With that being said, Branden Albert fills a need for the Steelers up front. Many believe he has the talent to eventually play offensive tackle in the NFL, but we see him as a Pro Bowl guard. As Blitzburgh mentioned above, with Alan Faneca now a New York Jet, this pick makes the most sense. Albert gives Pittsburgh flexibility up front and also youth on a line that is challenged with injuries and free agency.

Grade: A  ::  Matt Miller's Top Five Prospects Remaining: 1.  LB Dan Connor, 2.  QB Brian Brohm, 3.  LB Jerod Mayo, 4.  QB Joe Flacco, 5. RB Felix Jones

The Tennessee Titans are now on the clock as we head into the back stretch of the first round.  Jimmy of Music City Miracles will make the pick, and you'll be able to see that at around 8PM Eastern tonight.