The Pittsburgh Steelers drafted Marcus Gilbert in the second round of the 2011 NFL draft.

Gilbert is on offensive tackle from the University of Florida.

The real story of the round is that the Steelers tried unsuccessfully to trade up to get a top corner. It is uncertain how far up they wanted to go, but they almost got a shot at Brandon Harris, but the Houston Texas made a trade with New England and took Harris.

Versatility a Virtue or a Vice?

ESPN’s write up on Marcus Gilbert explains that he has the ability to play tackle or guard, listing that as one of his assets.

And Mike Tomlin loves players “position flexibility.”

In this case, the Post-Gazette’s Ed Bouchette is not so sure.

Writing in PG Plus last night Bouchettee opined:

It should make everyone a little nervous when line coach Sean Kugler listed among his attributes that Marcus Gilbert can play tackle AND guard.[Emphasis in original]

Did they say that the day they drafted Anthony Munoz? Well, of course, Gilbert is no Anthony Munoz. But they didn’t say that when they drafted Marvel Smith, either, and he too was a second-rounder.

Truthfully, I do not know enough about Gilbert, or any of the other players on the board when he was taken to offer a prediction about how his career in the NFL will turn out.

By the same token, I don’t know why being able to play more than one position should be considered as a potential liability….

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