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BR Community Mock Draft: Pittsburgh Steelers Select...

TUSCALOOSA, AL - SEPTEMBER 24:  Dont'a Hightower #30 of the Alabama Crimson Tide tries to pump up the crowd against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Bryant-Denny Stadium on September 24, 2011 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.  (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
TUSCALOOSA, AL - SEPTEMBER 24: Dont'a Hightower #30 of the Alabama Crimson Tide tries to pump up the crowd against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Bryant-Denny Stadium on September 24, 2011 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
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The Buffalo Rumblings Community Mock Draft rolls along, with the No. 24 overall pick coming at you right now...

With the No. 24 overall pick in the BR Community Mock Draft, 'JDSym' and the Pittsburgh Steelers select Alabama linebacker Dont'a Hightower.

"For the first time in a few years, the Steelers actually find themselves in need of several players who can come in and make an impact right away," says JDSym. "Traditionally, it has been the team's philosophy, particularly under Mike Tomlin, to draft players that can come in and develop for a year or two before they are asked to take on significant responsibility and starting duties. That has to be kept in mind when making this pick."

More from the GM after the jump. The Denver Broncos and GM 'TrufflePig' are now on the clock; remember to send your picks to buffalorumblings@gmail.com.

"With that, I have identified the team's top needs as the offensive line (both guard and tackle are needed, and as they have shown in recent years, versatility along their line is necessary because of injuries), defensive line, and inside linebacker," continues the GM. "There are secondary needs as well, both at safety and cornerback, and an argument can be made for a dynamic tight end with smaller, quicker receivers and an aging Heath Miller.

"As the draft shaped up, the pick came down to Cordy Glenn - because of his versatility, size, and tremendous upside - and Hightower," concludes JDSym. "I briefly thought about Mike Adams, but I don't believe he has the right type of work ethic and attitude to thrive in the Steelers' system. The defensive line can be pushed into a later round, as it is a very deep class. I also considered Coby Fleener in this position, but because of the needs on their aging defense, this was a pretty easy pick. Hightower is a proven leader and a winner, both things the Steelers like in players. He has a rare combination of size, speed, and power that make him unique among linebackers, particularly in this draft class. With James Farrior gone and Larry Foote aging, this not only fills a need, but allows other linebackers to do what they do best in rushing the passer and not worrying as much about stuffing the run. Not to mention, it doesn't hurt that this pick keeps him out of the Ravens' hands; that being said, it had no bearing on the pick."

Rd. # Team Player Pos. College Link/GM
1 1 Indianapolis Colts Andrew Luck QB Stanford link
1 2 Washington Redskins Robert Griffin III QB Baylor link
1 3 Minnesota Vikings Matt Kalil OT USC link
1 4 Cleveland Browns Trent Richardson RB Alabama link
1 5 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Morris Claiborne CB LSU link
1 6 St. Louis Rams Justin Blackmon WR Oklahoma State link
1 7 Jacksonville Jaguars Michael Floyd WR Notre Dame link
1 8 Miami Dolphins Ryan Tannehill QB Texas A&M link
1 9 Carolina Panthers Fletcher Cox DT Mississippi State link
1 10 Seattle Seahawks David DeCastro OG Stanford link
1 11 Kansas City Chiefs Dontari Poe DT Memphis link
1 12 Buffalo Bills Riley Reiff OT Iowa link
1 13 Arizona Cardinals Luke Kuechly LB Boston College link
1 14 Dallas Cowboys Dre Kirkpatrick CB Alabama link
1 15 Philadelphia Eagles Michael Brockers DT LSU link
1 16 New York Jets Melvin Ingram DE South Carolina link
1 17 Cincinnati Bengals Quinton Coples DE North Carolina link
1 18 San Diego Chargers Mark Barron SS Alabama link
1 19 Chicago Bears Zach Brown LB North Carolina link
1 20 Tennessee Titans Janoris Jenkins CB North Alabama link
1 21 Detroit Lions Stephon Gilmore CB South Carolina link
1 22 Cleveland Browns Kendall Wright WR Baylor link
1 23 Cincinnati Bengals Cordy Glenn OG Georgia link
1 24 Pittsburgh Steelers Dont'a Hightower LB Alabama link
1 25 Denver Broncos TrufflePig
1 26 Houston Texans NJames
1 27 New England Patriots NoiseIsTheBestRevenge
1 28 Green Bay Packers sellison
1 29 Baltimore Ravens matthew62
1 30 San Francisco 49ers y2bianchi
1 31 New England Patriots suteck
1 32 New York Giants Hybrid1486