OLB First Round?

While somewhat less likely, I could see the Steelers going OLB in the first round.  Here me out on this.  We brought in Nick Perry for a visit, and reportedly worked out Whitney Mercilus.  Given the fact that few were aware of Mercilus’ private workout, the Steelers may have been trying to keep that quiet while laying false trails in the ways of Dont’a Hightower, Stephen Hill, Dontari Poe and Mike Adams.  Though OLB is a lesser need, there are concerns with depth, with James Harrison turning 34 soon and questions regarding Jason Worilds and Chris Carter. 

This could be a similar situation to the one in the first round last year.  Not many had Cameron Heyward as the target in the first, most had Aaron Williams a CB from Texas.  The Steelers had reportedly told Heyward prior to the draft that if he were available at 31, they’d take him, and they did.  Whitney Mercilus is an underrated prospect who I could see going as high as 16.  My bet right now is the Jets go with a pass rusher of some sort first round, so depending on where Mercilus is on their board he could be an option for them.  Next we have San Diego at 18 who haven’t had a legitimate pass rusher since the departure of Shawne Merriman.  They, along with New York, run 3-4 defenses which would be ideal to suit Mercilus playing as a MIKE backer.  Other options to consider are Chicago at 19 and Tennessee at 20.  Both could use him as an end in a 4-3, and both teams are rumored to be high on him.  If he slips past 20, it would not surprise me at all to see the Steelers pick him at 24, as I can’t imagine Cincinnati, Cleveland or Detroit targeting him, given their more critical needs at other positions.  

The outside threat would be New England, who has a plethora of picks this year, attempting to trade up as they are another team who has been pegged as a possible suitor for Mercilus.  I doubt the Steelers would attempt to trade up for him, which means if they do miss out him, taking Nick Perry is another possibility.  Though I see him as more of a rush end in a 4-3, he could be molded into a contributor a few years down the road.  I admit this is a somewhat unlikely scenario but it does have all the characteristics of the kind of thing the Steelers would do.  I would still rather see Pittsburgh trade down and take Kevin Zeitler, or just stockpile mid round picks, but this may in fact end up being the route they go on draft day.