If you make your way around the internet you can find plenty of mock drafts out there for the Pittsburgh Steelers. An in most of those mock drafts they have the Steelers selecting either a cornerback or an inside linebacker. But the options for Pittsburgh are much more wide open than just those two spots. Here are four first-round prospects the Steelers might want to think about at positions you might not have considered yet.
Clelin Ferrell | Edge | Clemson
Outside linebacker Bud Dupree is entering the final year of his contract and there is no certainty about his future with the team. T.J. Watt is one of the true young stars in the league but Pittsburgh would do well to get a player to line up across from him who the Steelers can count on. Clemson’s Clelin Ferrell is a terrifying edge rusher who might slide a little because of the strength of this class. He would be a steal if he slid to 20.
Dalton Risner | Offensive line | Kansas State
It might not be the most exciting pick but no one would be shocked if the Steelers spent a first-round pick on a lineman. Kansas State’s Dalton Risner is a mauler who can play inside or outside in the NFL. He plays with elite power and leverage and looks to be a natural fit at guard at the next level. If the Steelers choose not to re-sign Ramon Foster, Risner could come in and compete with B.J. Finney from the start.
T.J. Hockenson | Tight end | Iowa
If the Steelers trade away wide receiver Antonio Brown, there is going to be a need to add another weapon in the passing game. Pittsburgh hasn’t utilized the tight end as a true receiving threat since Heath Miller retired but T.J. Hockenson would change that. Fellow Iowa tight end Noah Fant gets a lot of attention but Hockenson would be a better fit for the Steelers. He’s still an elite receiving threat but lacks some of the athleticism of Fant. But he makes up for it by being a crushing run blocker.
Josh Jacobs | Running back | Alabama
A running back in the first round? Yep. Before everyone gets out their James Conner jerseys and shakes your fingers at me keep in mind even when Conner was playing his best, the coaches took the football out of his hands in key moments. We can all speculate why but if upgrading the running back spot fixes this so be it. Alabama’s Josh Jacobs is a dynamic playmaker who is big enough to wear down defenses but explosive enough to score on any play. And unlike many Alabama prospects, he’s coming into the league with only 252 career touches meaning he’s got a ton of football ahead of him.
