Despite signing a cornerback, wide receiver and linebacker in free agency, Pro Football Focus still views those three positions as the Pittsburgh Steelers primary needs for the NFL draft. This got us thinking about it and figured it was time to update our thoughts on the Steelers draft needs in contrast to what PFF wrote.
As much hope as we all have for Donte Moncrief, his addition certainly doesn’t mitigate the need to draft a wide recevier. But it does become a numbers game. JuJu Smith-Schuster, James Washington, Moncrief, Ryan Switzer and Eli Rogers would be the depth chart as of right now. What would a first-round receiver do to this order? Likely put Switzer and Rogers on the roster bubble.
Same goes for cornerback. The addition of Steven Nelson gives Pittsburgh Joe Haden, Nelson, Mike Hilton and Cam Sutton as the top four with former first-round pick Artie Burns on the team. Does an early cornerback mean an early exit for Burns?
As for inside linebacker, the addition of Mark Barron pushes inside linebacker way down for us. It isn’t as if the Steelers are going to utilize Barron, Vince Williams and Jon Bostic enough to need a fourth inside linebacker. Williams only played just over 70 percent of snaps last season and the Steelers often only utilize one inside linebacker.
What would our current draft needs look like?
1-Edge rusher
2-Wide receiver
3-Safety
4-Cornerback
5-Tight end
If Pittsburgh could hit those five spots in the draft it would be a successful draft, especially if they hit early at edge rusher and safety. This might not look like bigtime needs but honestly, OLB Bud Dupree can’t be counted on and the Steelers use enough three-safety looks to warrant a rangy centerfield free safety in coverage situations.
