With the first round of the Draft in the books and the Steelers selecting Miami CB Artie Burns, the biggest need on the team has been addressed. There are a number of talented players that slid out of the first round for one reason or another, including UCLA LB Myles Jack whose knee condition may be worse than originally reported. With Rounds 2 and 3 set to take place tonight, the Steelers should have an opportunity to add two more talented players. Defensive backs (safety and corner) are still priorities along with defensive line and adding depth at linebacker and wide receiver. The Steelers enter the night with the 27th pick in the 2nd round (#58 overall) and the 26th pick in the 3rd round (#89 overall). There may be done interest in trading down to acquire an additional mid-round pick as the Steelers won’t have a selection between their 4th round pick (#123 overall) and their comp pick at the end of the 6th round (#220 overall).
While I didn’t have Artie Burns in my Top 31 players for last night, here are some names to keep an eye on that fit the Steelers moving forward.
1. Myles Jack (ILB – UCLA)
There has been a lot of conflicting information brandied about regarding Myles Jack’s knee. What can not be denied is that the UCLA linebacker was an incredibly talented player when he was on the field. Some have him rated as the top overall player in the draft. Much like outside linebacker, if the Steelers do not make a move this offseason to extend Lawrence Timmons’ contract, they will be down to just Ryan Shazier in 2017 as Timmons and Vince Williams’ contracts will expire after 2016.
2. Andrew Billings (NT – Baylor)
The Steelers obviously think very highly of Andrew Billings after sending Mean Joe Greene to attend his Pro Day. For what the Steelers are looking for in a defensive lineman (someone who can play NT in a 3-4 base and is athletic enough to press the pocket and play rotationally in the 2-DL nickel package) Billings seems like the ideal fit.
3. Mackensie Alexander (CB – Clemson)
Alexander is one of the youngest players in the draft (just a redshirt sophomore) but developed into Clemson’s shutdown defender. He is an incredibly smart player and very tape-savvy. There were some concerns that filtered out about his locker room conduct and the Steelers tend to take players that have produced turnovers. While Alexander has shut receivers down and deflected a ton of passes, he did not record an interception in his college career. Despite the Steelers taking Artie Burns in the first round, if Alexander falls to them in the second they should absolutely pull the trigger as he has the mentality and toughness to be a great Steeler.
4. A’Shawn Robinson (NT – Alabama)
Robinson fits the mold of a traditional 3-4 nose tackle. He is very good laterally against the run and could work in some snaps in the nickel defense as well. He does not have a wide array of pass rushing moves but is a mammoth human being who is loaded with strength and can press the pocket. If the Steelers can’t land Billings, Robinson is not a bad consolation prize to plug-and-play in the middle of the defense.
5. Reggie Ragland (ILB – Alabama)
Ragland and Lee share a lot of similarities with their predecessors, Ryan Shazier and CJ Mosley. Ragland is more of a traditional inside linebacker – a downhill run-stuffer, but he has the speed and range to be a capable defender against the pass as well.
6. Noah Spence (OLB – Eastern Kentucky)
On the field, Spence has proven to be one of the top edge rushing prospects in the draft. Off the field, there are some significant concerns as he was kicked off the Ohio State team for multiple failed drug tests and finished his career at and FCS school, where the Steelers tend to shy away from early in the draft. Nevertheless, he has the tools to be an elite edge rusher in the league if he keeps his act together.
7. Kendall Fuller (CB – Virginia Tech)
Fuller’s name continues to pop up during the draft process with connections to Pittsburgh. He had a very good sophomore season and missed most of his junior year after suffering a torn meniscus. He was the ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year as a freshman when he had 6 interceptions. He is a tough corner that will stick his nose in against the run who comes from a high pedigree, being the fourth Fuller brother to make the NFL.
8. Jarran Reed (NT – Alabama)
As opposed to teammate A’Shawn Robinson, Reed is more of a traditional 3-4 nose tackle. He has size and strength to clog up the middle and is a capable two-gap run defender. However, he does not have the quickness to get to the outside and doesn’t bring much on passing downs.
9. Vonn Bell (S – Ohio State)
Bell is a very solid all-around safety. He is positionally sound and doesn’t get drawn off his marks by fakes or trying to jump routes in front of him. However, he is not the biggest player and struggles with tackling more than the “boomer” safeties in this draft.
10. Chris Jones (NT/DE – Mississippi State)
Jones has been drawing a lot of hype recently despite starting just one season for the Bulldogs. He flashed a ton of NFL potential in that one season and has the size to play the interior line positions. Jones has incredible upper-body strength and he dominates the point of attack, especially against the run. He has sneaky good feet and hand quickness which enabled him to tally 7.5 tackles for a loss and 2.5 sacks.
11. Kevin Dodd (OLB – Clemson)
12. Jonathan Bullard (DE – Florida)
13. Shilique Calhoun (OLB – Michigan St)
14. Jeremy Cash (SS – Duke)
15. Justin Simmons (FS – Boston College)
16. Jihad Ward (DE – Illinois)
17. Su’a Cravens (ILB/S – USC)
18. Darian Thompson (FS – Boise State)
19. Jason Spriggs (OT – Indiana)
20. Tyler Boyd (WR – Pittsburgh)
21. Emmanuel Ogbah (OLB – Oklahoma State)
22. TJ Green (CB/S – Clemson)
23. Cody Whitehair (OG – Kansas State)
24. Michael Thomas (WR – Ohio State)
25. Kamalei Correa (OLB – Boise State)
26. Javon Hargrave (DE/NT – South Carolina State)
27. Xavien Howard (CB – Baylor)
28. Sterling Shepherd (WR – Oklahoma)
29. Pharoah Cooper (WR – South Carolina)
30. Derrick Henry (RB – Alabama)
31. Hunter Henry (TE – Arkansas)
32. Sean Davis (CB/S – Maryland)
Next Best Available:
Defensive Line: Sheldon Day (Notre Dame), Austin Johnson (Penn State), Adolphus Washington (Ohio State)
Safety: Kevin Byard (Middle Tennessee St)
Cornerback: Jalen Mills (LSU), Will Redmond (Mississippi State), Harlan Miller (SE Louisiana), Cyrus Jones (Alabama), DJ White (Georgia Tech), Jonathan Jones (Auburn), Tavon Young (Temple)
Outside Linebacker: Josh Perry (Ohio State), Jordan Jenkins (Georgia), Kyler Fackrell (BYU), Yannick Ngakoue (Maryland)
Inside Linebacker: Jaylon Smith (Notre Dame), Deion Jones (LSU), Nick Vigil (Utah State), Kentrell Brothers (Missouri), Jatavis Brown (Akron)
Wide Receiver: Braxton Miller (Ohio State), Rashad Higgins (Colorado State)
Offensive Line: Nick Martin (C – Notre Dame), Vadal Alexander (OG – LSU), Willie Beavers (OT – Western Michigan), LeRaven Clark (OT – Texas Tech), Connor McGovern (OG – Missouri)
Running Back: Kenneth Dixon (Louisiana Tech), Devontae Booker (Utah), Tyler Ervin (San Jose State), Alex Collins (Arkansas)
Tight End: Nick Vannett (Ohio State), Austin Hooper (Stanford)
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