2010 Pride of Detroit Community Mock Draft: Pick No. 18

Rd. # Player Pos. College 1 18 Mike Iupati OG Idaho General Manager: Jettero2112

With the 18th pick of the 2010 Pride of Detroit Community Mock Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers select Idaho offensive guard Mike Iupati.

Here is Jettero2112's reasoning for the pick:

The Steelers are in need of several positions here including OG, OT, S, 3-4 NT and 4-3 ILB. I looked at several players for this pick including Anthony Davis, offensive tackle, Rutgers; Kyle Wilson, cornerback, Boise State; Maurkice Pouncey, center/guard, Florida and Earl Thomas, safety, Texas. It was a tough choice but after careful investigation I have decided that they needed help on the offensive line more than anything to keep Roethlisberger reasonably healthy and concussion free. Ben isn't going to get rid of the ball any quicker so decent protection is a must.

Mike Iupati is a tough as nails guard and can really help get this offensive line back to where they need to be to compete. He has great size, good quickness and hands. He does not give up on plays and gives his all on every down. Iupati will do wonders in the ground game as he's excellent in run blocking and will also help on pass protection, though he is still a raw talent in that area. But I think he seems to be underrated in protection coming into the draft. He did not play against top talent but he will develop into one of the top guards in the league and is everything Pittsburgh needs in an interior lineman.

Check out the 2010 Pride of Detroit Community Mock Draft tracker for a look at all of the picks.