Ed Bouchette weighs in with his pick for the Steelers in some mock drafts that he participated in:

Two out of three mock drafts say the Steelers choice will be Oregon running back Jonathan Stewart. At least that was my choice in the three mock drafts I've participated in.

Now, I don't believe Stewart will fall to No. 23, but that wasn't the case in either mock draft for ESPN's First Take nor the one Wednesday for Sports Illustrated that will be posted online Thursday at noon.

Stewart fell and I grabbed him, and so would the Steelers if it happened to them. In the other mock draft, beat writers from each city got together by conference call. In that one, Stewart was taken, so I picked North Carolina defensive tackle Kentwan Balmer. At 6-4 ??, 308, he would play end in the Steelers 3-4 scheme, and the sure need the depth there, not to mention to get younger.

Everyone knows -- if you don't, read my story in Wednesday's PG -- that the Steelers have not drafted a back in the first or second round since 1989. Stewart, in my opinion, is the only one of the bunch who would tempt them in the first round on Saturday.

He's a banger, a thumper, an inside runner who would perfectly compliment Willie Parker. Suddenly, a so-so offensive line would improve with him in there. And maybe they could protect some fourth-quarter leads by having him grind inside.

Yes, there's a problem with his toe, but the Steelers have cleared that medically and believe that while he might be limited in training camp, he'd be ready to go by the start of the season.

Rookie running backs are also the easiest to assimilate into the offense, compared to other positions. He could provide immediate help.

Still, while two out of three mock drafts say it's Stewart, I still don't believe it. I think some team will snap him up long before the Steelers' turn arrives at No. 23.