Pittsburgh Steelers Draft Outlook

Enjoy the draft, Steeler fans!  Below is a project I traditionally do...  from hours upon hours of research, paying attention, and some educated guessing sprinkled in, here are 70 names that could play a part in the Steeler draft plans.  Due to having a hard time narrowing this list down to 60, which I have traditionally done here on the site, I elected to keep the list at 70 for this year.  Some have been visitors to visit the front office at the South Side Facility and others have interested me based upon the long process of video-watching and eye-ball testing to match them as a potential selection for the Steelers.  A few names will end up matching up and others will look downright silly, that's just how it goes.

 

Below the list of '70' is also a mock draft projection involving the how the Steeler draft slate could turn out.  (key emphasis on 'could')  As you can see, I project a trade-back to occur.  If an unexpected event occurs and a prospect falls such as Defensive Tackle Dontari Poe or OLB Courtney Upshaw, I would expect that to be the pick.  Otherwise, if a team low in the 1st round (or early 2nd round) is offering a trade-down possibility, I could see the team taking the deal.  Also- at the very bottom of this page is a Steeler War Room Draft Board - this is a projection of what the board may look like in Steeler Headquarters... Simply put, the team would pick the top guy on their list.  That's why they spend so much time breaking-down the prospects and developing their "board."  To be blunt, I feel the team will focus the 1st selection on pass-rushing help, the single biggest thing that needs to improve on this team.  Regardless of having Harrison and Woodley, the team must get better with the rush and my favorite prospect to do this is OLB/DE Andre Branch of Clemson.  For those wanting interior offensive line help, that is a position that can easily be addressed in round #2 where there should be a ton of talent available.   Happy Draft Week, Steeler Nation!