Steelers mock draft round-up (2/11)
The offseason is here, and with that comes an abundance of mock drafts.
With so many out there on the internet, we decided to compile some of the more notable ones for your viewing pleasure.
There’s agreement, disagreement and everything in-between as to what are positions of need for the Pittsburgh Steelers. There are so many questions that need answered first:
- Do they value an offensive player over a defensive one?
- What holes will be filled, and left, following free agency?
- How good do they feel about the current players under contract?
Before we dig into the various drafts, we have to remember that mock means “fake”. These are literally done as predictions, many of which are estimated guesses while others are compiled for fun. Things will change drastically, even through the actual draft, but certainly following the free agency period and NFL Combine. Players might have off-field issues such as drugs or injuries, which cause their stock to fall, while other surge with their measurables.
That means, there’s no need to get up-in-arms over who is, and isn’t, mocked to the Steelers.
And yes, that also means the position mocked to them too! Do they need an edge rusher? Probably. Might they select a quarterback? Who knows!
That’s why these are fun to view. So let’s take a look at what some of the bright draft minds around the Internet think about the Steelers fortunes.
Matt Miller – Bleacher Report
- Ryan Anderson (OLB) – Alabama
- Brad Kaaya (QB) – Miami
- Cameron Sutton (CB) – Tennessee
- Josh Reynolds (WR) – Texas A&M
- Kyle Fuller (C) – Baylor/Corey Clement (RB) – Wisconson
- Jonah Pirsig (T) – Minnesota
- Tanner Vallejo (LB) – Boise State
Analysis: Matt Miller’s draft seems great minus one glaring issue: Brad Kaaya. I’ll give him some slack since he likely isn’t as familiar with the Steelers a some of us who exclusively cover the team, but the Steelers certainly should not draft a quarterback that high, if at all. Besides that his picks are fair. His picks of Anderson and Sutton both fill team needs and those positions will likely be addressed early.
Chris Burke – Sports Illustrated
- Teez Tabor (CB) – Florida
- Tyus Bowser (OLB) – Houston
- Ryan Switzer (WR) – North Carolina
Analysis: When picking Tabor, Chris Burke overlooks Ross Cockrell. Though not a superstar, Cockrell is a capable starter. Many expect the Steelers to resign Cockrell, but if they don’t drafting a first round cornerback is certainly possible. His next pick is Bowser, and though I admittedly know little about him, drafting an edge rusher is a great pick.
Luke Easterling – The Draft Wire
- Jabrill Peppers (DB) – Michigan
- Jordan Leggett (TE) – Clemson
- Dawuane Smoot (OLB) – Illinois
- Jeremy McNichols (RB) – Boise State
Analysis: Though I’m an advocate for the Steelers drafting an outside linebacker in the first round, I wouldn’t be upset if Peppers fell to them. He’s a versatile defensive back that could be like a chess piece Butler moves around the secondary. Drafting a tight end in the second is surprising to me, but because he has us getting Smoot in the third round that’s fine by me.
Jon Ledyard – Inside the Pylon
- Derek Rivers (OLB) – Youngstown State
Analysis: Of all these mock drafts, Jon Ledyard is the most knowledgeable of the Steelers. That said, he also has the most surprising pick. Derek Rivers is a outside linebacker from a small school a few hours away from Pittsburgh (our leader Joe Kuzma went there too). Though he’s a small school player, he made a name for himself at the Senior Bowl and his stock will likely continue to rise throughout draft season.
Todd McShay – ESPN
- Charles Harris (OLB) – Missouri
Analysis: Todd McShay’s pick is not surprising at all. Charles Harris is one of the outside linebackers that is projected to be drafted right around the Steelers range. He’s a great athlete that would be a great pick if he falls to us. Because of the deep edge rusher class this year, a player like Harris is certainly fall into the Steelers laps.
