Which players should the Pittsburgh Steelers target in the 2017 NFL Draft?
This is the next in a series of team only mock drafts. The team up: the Pittsburgh Steelers. They have a talented team but are yet again being undermined by massive injuries to the roster. As always this is based on this author’s rating of prospects not where they are more likely to go.
1st: Jarrad Davis, LB Florida
The Steelers appreciate everything Timmons has done for them, but it’s probably time for him to move on. They really like Shazier when he’s on the field. They would love to have 2 Shaziers if possible.
Jarrad Davis is undersized and fast like Shazier. And also like Shazier he combines great instincts/football IQ with great pursuit skills. Davis is quicker than Shazier but Shazier has better straight line speed.
The most impressive thing about Davis is that he clearly puts in his film work and that makes him look faster than he really is on the field. He’s better in run support than pass coverage but with the right coaching he should become good at both.
2nd: Roderick Johnson, OT Florida State
This might seems bit low for Johnson but this author really doesn’t think he’s a first round talent.
Johnson has some nice tools to work with, especially when he can block in the open field. But he’s not ready to start day 1. And that’s fine for the Steelers.
They’re looking for an eventual starter with Gilbert getting older and Villanueva’s inconsistency.
3rd: Lewis Neal, EDGE LSU
Neal is smart, strong, squat and quick. That should remind them a lot of James Harrison.
This isn’t to say that they’re getting Harrison with this pick. Neal is a project who will have to learn the Edge spot after playing Leo for LSU. But he has that skill set where he could become a player like him.
The most impressive feature of Neal’s game is his football IQ. He’ll go this low because he won’t have that explosion and straight line speed that teams look for in an edge rusher. And only being 6-1 means that teams will move on to different prospects.
4th: Jordan Thomas, DB Oklahoma
Thomas has good height for a cornerback and good ball skills. He struggles in run support.
Teams have been throwing away from Thomas this season as to not give him chances for interceptions. The real concern with Thomas is that he’s been arrested twice. So teams will have to dig deep into his past before committing to him.
The Steelers have thrown a lot of draft picks into their cornerback sinkhole. Until they find a pair of good starters, their defensive scheme is going to force them to keep investing in corners.