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SB Nation now recognizes the Steelers may want to look at a position other than offensive tackle in the 2014 NFL Draft.
Dan Kadar's latest mock draft sends Minnesota defensive lineman Ra'Shede Hageman to Pittsburgh, likely playing the 5-technique defensive end position.
Kadar's reasoning:
The Steelers appear set to let Ziggy Hood and Brett Keisel leave via free agency, leaving them with Cameron Heyward and little else at defensive end. At the Senior Bowl, the massive and athletic Hageman looked like a perfect fit as a five-technique. In a draft light on nose tackle prospects, Hageman would at least give Pittsburgh a physical presence on the edge of the line.
It's a tantalizing proposition, but one we feel will be moot after his Combine workout at the end of February. We hope we're wrong, although it's hard to see him not testing well there.
Here's to hoping he slips to 15 for reasons that have nothing to do with his character or physical ability.
Kadar did three rounds in this one, sending LSU wide receiver Landry Jarvis to Pittsburgh with the 46th overall pick.
Jerricho Cotchery and Emmanuel Sanders are both free agents, and the Steelers could save money by letting both walk. Last year's third-round pick, Markus Wheaton, could fill one spot, and Landry the other. The LSU product fits the mold of recent Steelers receivers and has some big-play capabilities.
We get a kick out of his, mostly because we got a kick out of pointing out there's no relation between 2013 draft picks Landry Jones and Jarvis Jones. Adding Jarvis Landry to that joke will be a blast.
His reasoning seems valid enough, although the Steelers are more likely to keep Cotchery than let him go. Sanders is as good as gone, but that doesn't eliminate the possibility of bringing in another receiver.
Cleveland selected Florida cornerback Loucheiz Purifoy with the third round pick they acquired in the trade for the fourth round pick in 2013 that netted Pittsburgh Shamarko Thomas.
