NFL Draft 2015: Pittsburgh Steelers Team Needs
By Zac Snyder
For a look at the Pittsburgh Steelers’ team needs entering the 2015 NFL Draft, I got together with Still Curtain‘s Craig Gottschalk. Below are my questions followed by his answers.
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1. How have the team’s draft needs changed since free agency opened?
"The Steelers’ draft needs haven’t changed much as far as positions. If anything, there’s an even greater need at OLB and CB based on who’s left and who could potentially need. The team lost cornerback Brice McCain to free agency. That leaves them very thin at an already weak secondary. The Steelers did not sign any OLB’s yet, and they lost Jason Worilds to a sudden retirement. Then, James Harrison wass on the fence about whether he should return to the Steelers or follow Dick LeBeau to the Titans. Even with Harrison choosing to return, the the Steelers are in need of OLB depth. Team President, Art Rooney II, stated that the team will not be shopping around in free agency before the draft."
2. What would you say are the top three needs remaining?
"With Harrison staying in Pittsburgh, the biggest three needs are CB, OLB, and DE – all three of those positions need depth in a bad way."
3. Are there any prospects that have caught your eye so far?
"Still Curtain just did a long feature on UCLA’s Owamagbe Odighizuwa who is a defensive end in college, but could be an OLB pass rusher in the NFL. Trae Waynes, Jalen Collins, and Ronald Darby are all good corners, but could go a little too early for the Steelers to nab. Kevin Johnson out of Wake Forrest as a Round 2 is a realistic selection to fill the CB need."
4. What do you think would make for a successful draft for your team?
"The Steelers have messed up a couple of drafts the last few years with regards to their earlier picks contributing to the team early rather than a) rot on the bench while learning systems and/or b) were ‘project’ selections to begin with and don’t ever pan out. The Steelers have a history of going with the BPA left on the board, even if it means supplanting a greater need at a particular position – so it’s unrealistic to say a ‘successful’ draft would be to draft two CB’s and two OLB’s . A successful draft, no matter who they pick or what positions they play, would be to have the majority of their picks have legitimate impacts to the roster."
5. So much draft focus often goes to the first few rounds, but is there something you’d like to see your team do in the later rounds?
"Similar to the success question, it’s about getting quality players that can make contributions rather than become practice squad fodder. That’s not always a realistic expectation. The Steelers have had success finding a gem in rounds 5-7 each year, but it’s usually at a position that doesn’t really need immediate solutions. It’s a good trend and will hopefully continue."
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Next: Post-Free Agency Frenzy 2015 NFL Mock Draft