The draft process is usually something like a speed dating event where teams and players find themselves linked for short times before something happens to shake things up and everyone finds a new partner.
There are exceptions, but usually at the top of the draft where teams know exactly who will be around. With teams later in the order it is rare that they start the process linked to one player and never wind up shaking that player through the combine, visits and workouts.
That’s just what has happened with the Steelers and Alabama linebacker Dont’a Hightower, however. Ever since it became clear that the team would be parting ways with James Farrior, you heard them linked to Hightower as the choice with the 24th overall pick. Not much has changed. Other names have been listed as possibilities, but Hightower has been the constant and, usually, he’s at the top of the list.
Todd McShay of ESPN sees Hightower landing with the Steelers, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette calls him the best choice for the team and Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network calls them a “match made in heaven.” That doesn’t mean that things will play out that way, obviously, but there are plenty of signs pointing to Hightower calling Pittsburgh his home before Thursday night is out.