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2012 Cincy Jungle Mock Draft - The Pittsburgh Steelers Select

TUSCALOOSA AL - OCTOBER 16:  Dont'a Hightower #30 of the Alabama Crimson Tide pressures quarterback Jeremiah Masoli #8 of the Ole Miss Rebels at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 16 2010 in Tuscaloosa Alabama.  (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
TUSCALOOSA AL - OCTOBER 16: Dont'a Hightower #30 of the Alabama Crimson Tide pressures quarterback Jeremiah Masoli #8 of the Ole Miss Rebels at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 16 2010 in Tuscaloosa Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
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With the 24th overall pick in the 2012 Cincy Jungle Mock Draft, Jason Garrison selected for the Pittsburgh Steelers, who earned the No. 24 pick with a record of 12-4 in the 2011 season. They went to the playoffs as a wildcard team and were knocked out in the first round by the Denver Broncos, who pulled off the upset with a Tim Tebow touchdown pass in overtime.

With the 24th overall pick in the 2012 Cincy Jungle Mock Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers select....

Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama

The Steelers are still a tough team defensively, but they aren't getting any younger either. James Farrior was a salary cap casualty and was cut this offseason and even though he was older, he will be missed. The Steelers have Stevenson Sylvester and Larry Foote, but it's unclear if Foote can be an every-down player and Dont'a Hightower would likely be a big upgrade at inside linebacker.

Keeping a talented group of linebackers will go a long way to secure the future of the Steelers' tough defense and Hightower, a hard-hitting and talented linebacker for one of the best college defenses could go a long way to making sure that the Steelers don't lose their reputation.

Dont'a Hightower Highlights:

Joe Goodberry's Instant Analysis:

Steelers look to add youth to their LB unit with Dont'a Hightower. This is an excellent fit because he and Lawrence Timmons are a good mix inside in the 3-4. Hightower is a powerful thumper who can help rush the passer. It's an instant athletic upgrade.
Grade: A
Value: --

Draft Overview:

# Team Picked By Name/Positon of Pick
1 Indianapolis Alex Neyer Andrew Luck QB
2 Washington David Farrelly Robert Griffin III QB
3 Minnesota Palewook Matt Kalil OT
4 Cleveland Jason Garrison Justin Blackmon WR
5 Tampa Bay Andrew Bernius Morris Claiborne CB
6 St. Louis Jim0ijk Quinton Coples DE
7 Jacksonville AK513 Melvin Ingram DE
8 Miami Dan Lockhart Trent Richardson RB
9 Carolina Jason Blanton Luke Kuechly LB
10 Buffalo Casey Penn Michael Floyd WR
11 Kansas City Kenneth Taylor David DeCastro OG
12 Detroit (projected trade) Andrew Perrotta Stephon Gilmore CB
13 Arizona Dan Wolford Riley Reiff OT
14 Dallas Joshua Foster Michael Brockers DT
15 Philadelphia Travis Parker Mark Barron S
16 New York Jets Kenneth Taylor Courtney Upshaw OLB
17 Cincinnati (from Oakland) Jason Garrison Dre Kirkpatrick CB
18 San Diego Anthony Knox Fletcher Cox DE
19 Chicago Steve Whited Kendall Wright WR
20 Tennessee Jeff Welch Nick Perry DE
21 Cincinnati Jason Garrison Cordy Glenn OG
22 Cleveland (from Atlanta) Jason Garrison Ryan Tannehill QB
23 Seattle (projected trade) Jared Egner Whitney Mercilus DT
24 Pittsburgh Jason Garrison Dont'a Hightower LB
25 Denver Jared Morgan
26 Houston Brett Kollman
27 New England (from New Orleans) Anthony Knox
28 Green Bay Travis Castleman
29 Baltimore Jason Garrison
30 San Francisco Chris Brown
31 New England Anthony Knox
32 New York Giants Matt Leitner