On the clock: 2019 NFL Draft needs and targets for the Pittsburgh Steelers
How will the Pittsburgh Steelers approach the 2019 NFL draft? We put them on the clock.
The Steelers are falling behind in the AFC and will have to ace the 2019 NFL draft in order to keep up with the Patriots, Chiefs and — gasp — Browns! But after trading Antonio Brown to Oakland, the front office does have a nice collection of picks to work with.
While the trade did improve their draft capital, it opened up a gaping wide hole at the receiver position. Fortunately, this draft is loaded with receiving prospect who can help to replace all of that production Pittsburgh lost when it sent Brown packing.
There are some legacy needs that also need addressing, like cornerback, safety and linebacker. So how will the Steelers approach the 2019 NFL draft? Let’s put them on the clock…
Picks
Day 1: 20th
Day 2: 52nd, 66th, 83rd
Day 3: 122nd, 141st, 175th, 192nd, 207th, 291th
This looks a lot better after the Brown trade, which earned the Steelers an extra Day 2 pick. They also picked up a fifth-rounder in the deal to go along with the sixth-rounder they got in exchange for another Raiders WR, Martavis Bryant.
Primary needs
1. Wide receiver
2. Cornerback
3. Linebacker
Cornerback has long been a need for the Steelers, and linebacker has been one ever since Ryan Shazier’s devastating injury. But with Pittsburgh dealing away the best receiver in the game, that becomes the priority for a team that has leaned heavily on its offense — and the passing game, in particular.
Secondary needs
1. Tight end
2. Edge rusher
With the unremarkable Jesse James headed for Detroit, the Steelers need a replacement at tight end. Preferably one who can contribute more to the passing game. Edge rusher could be on every team’s list of needs because you can never have enough pass rushing. The team still doesn’t really know what Bud Dupree is or can be, which is a bad sign for a player they took back in 2015.
First-round targets
1. Devin Bush, LB Michigan
2. A.J. Brown, WR Ole Miss
3. Byron Murphy, CB Washington
4. Hakeem Butler, WR Iowa State
5. Greedy Williams, CB LSU
Greedy Williams is the dream pick here but he could be the first corner off the board. If he’s gone, Byron Murphy is the clear CB2 in this class. But the Steelers front office seems to be fixed on replacing Ryan Shazier, so linebacker makes a lot of sense in the first round.
Other names to watch
1. Justin Layne, CB Michigan State
2. Mack Wilson, LB Alabama
3. Juan Thornhill, FS Virginia
The Steelers should come away with some combination of a receiver, corner or linebacker with their first two picks. If they’re smart, they’ll wait until the second day to take a linebacker, which is not the most important position on a football field. But if Juan Thornhill is still on the board when Pittsburgh drafts in the second, it will be hard to pass on the play-making safety.