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I wouldn't worry too much about mocks right now. Pittsburgh taking McClain is always a possibility. The Steelers are too smart not to be a potential candidate for someone like him.
Right now McClain's stock is at a high. He's coming off a huge win against Florida and a great game, where his talents both at his position and as a leader were showcased. He won the Butkus Award. And now he's suddenly becoming a popular top 15, possibly top 10 pick. There are rumors that KC might take him even over Eric Berry.
It could happen. But there's lots of time between now and the draft. McClain is a junior, so (assuming he comes out, which is likely, especially if Alabama wins the National Championship, but not certain) he won't get to play in the post-season bowl games. And I don't think he's going to be the same kind of workout warrior at the combine that Aaron Curry was. He's just not as fast as Curry. And I expect a lot of workout warriors at the combine - Carlos Dunlap, Taylor Mays, Joe Haden, Jason Pierre-Paul, Bruce Campbell, Sergio Kindle, and others.
He's a certain 1st round pick. Certain top 10 is another thing, however, especially for an ILB. McClain will likely slip back a few spots, hopefully at least to within trade-up range.
If I were the Steelers, I would want to upgrade my secondary in a very bad way first, second upgrade the horrible O line that is getting Rottenburger killed and third find a replacement for Casey Hampton who has looked old this season.
But McClain would make an excellent replacement for Farrier. Fortunately **** Lebeau likes shorter players in his version of the 3-4, not a lot of overlap with BB prefers length 3-4 guys. Plus there is chatter that if Lebeau retires, Tomlin will switch the Steelers to a 4-3 which means they will need DT's in a bad way.
I have said all along that BB needs to trade up into the 10-14 range to get McClain. Any team that drafts McClain earlier than that is forgetting the 1st rule of drafting: Outside of the QB, games are won and lost in the lines; which means they are over drafting McClain.
I would love to see an all alabama day one draft:
NT - Mount Cody (I am still assuming Wilfork goes to elsewhere this offseason)
ILB - McClain (I am OK will an expensive trade up, even if it includes our 2011 1st round pick.)
OG - Johnson (How many yards did Ingram get behind this kid?)
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