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Round 1, Pick No. 15-
Trade: Steelers pick No. 15 for the Cardinals pick No. 20 and No. 84
I believe Kevin Colbert really wants to trade back in this draft. Multiple NFL GM and scouts have claimed this is one of the deepest drafts in recent history and I believe Colbert wants to gain another pick in the top 100.
Sitting at 15, I think the Steelers see WR Odell Beckham and CB Kyle Fuller both available. I believe that they can get one of them later in the round. Also sitting there is Anthony Barr. The Arizona Cardinals desperately need a pass rusher. They blitz on 50 percent of their plays and their leading sacker was 36 year old John Abraham. With Dallas picking at 16 the Cardinals will look to jump them for a chance at Barr. The Steelers would be trading back just in front of the other teams who need a defensive back so that they have little chance at losing Fuller.
Round 1, Pick No. 20-
Kyle Fuller, CB Virginia Tech
No corner in this draft fits LeBeau's mold for a cornerback better than Fuller. Fuller is 6-foot with almost 33 inch arms. He has average speed and arguably the best ball skills of any corner in the draft. What sets Fuller apart is is willingness to go after the ball carrier in the run game and his experience play off coverage. Fuller was brought into the Steelers facility for one of their pre-draft visits.
Round 2, Pick No. 46-
Jordan Matthews, WR Vanderbilt
Matthews is the SEC All-time leading receiver and a cousin of Jerry Rice. The 6-foot-3 receiver is praised for the work he puts into his game. Possessing good hands and average athleticism Matthews looks like a solid NFL WR. His work ethic should entice the Steelers who were at his Pro Day.
Round 3, Pick No. 86-
DaQuan Jones, DT Penn State
Jones is a bit of a tweener defensive linemen at 6-foot-4, 320 pounds. On his senior tape he really improved because he dropped his weight. He plays with power and good extension. Mike Tomlin has said on record the team wants to be more multiple on defense. Jones has the ability to play both the NT and the five technique and would help the team in the two man front in the nickle package. Jones met with Steelers defensive line coach John Mitchell at the combine.
Round 3, Pick No. 97 (Compensatory)-
Christian Jones, LB Florida State
Jones is an athletic defender from Florida State. The 6-foot-3, 240 pound Jones has seen action at the SAM, and Will linebacker position in his early years at FSU. In his senior year he was moved to DE where he showed some surprising burst of the line. He is also an incredibly raw player and is slow to react to plays. The Steelers need depth at the OLB position badly. Jones is a player with very good physical talent. If the game ever slows down for him, he has potential to become a starter.
Round 4, Pick No. 118-
Desmen Southward, SS Wisconsin
Southward is 6-foot 211 pounds and was durable throughout his career. He started 54 games for the Badgers which was a school record. Southward displays the the physicality required of a Steelers safety. He attacks blocks well and throws himself at ball carriers with a seemingly no regard for his body. Southward ran a 4.38 40-yard dash but doesn't play with that speed yet. Having only played football sine his senior year in high school he is still mastering the finer points of the game. Overall Southward will contribute on special teams and could develop into something more with time.
Round 5, Pick No. 157-
Wesley Johnson, OT Vanderbilt
Wesley Johnson is a very athletic offensive tackle. He gets to the second level with ease and has no difficulty getting in front of screen passes. He is a natural bender with an explosive first step and a smooth kickslide. I has smaller than ideal arm length for an offensive tackle. When measuring Johnson as a prospect I look at how he did against top competition. Johnson shut down Clowney who many consider the best player in the draft. That was impressive. He will need to improve his strength but Johnson is a middle to late round offensive tackle with the potential to develop into a good starter in a zone scheme. Johnson was seen talking to Dan Rooney at Vanderbilt's Pro Day.
Round 5, Pick No.173 (Compensatory)
Ross Cockrell, CB Duke
Cockrell is my bet for the most likely to be picked by the Steelers. The Steelers went to Duke's Pro Day and then brought in Cockrell for a visit. Cockrell is an experience, smart zone corner that fits the what LeBeau likes to do with his defensive backs. He has really short arms at under 30 inches. Cockrell did a nice job against Mike Evans in the bowl game and he has experience in the slot. Tomlin want to be more multiple in the secondary and Cockrell seems like a smart player that the team would use in the slot.
Round 6, Pick No. 192-
John Brown, WR Pittsburgh State
John Brown is fast. That about sums up who he is as a player. Very quick in and out of his breaks. Brown has good but not great hands. He has experience as a kick returner and had some success doing so. Brown reminds me a lot of T.Y. Hilton, WR from the Colts. They have very similar size at 5-foot-10 , 180 pounds and ran with similar speed. Hilton came out of a slightly bigger school and had more college production but I think Brown can impact a team a deep threat from the slot and as a return man. He was a 3 time AP Little All American.
Round 6, Pick No. 215-
Trey Millard, HB/TE Oklahoma
Millard was an all purpose player for Oklahoma. He has experience with running the football, receiving the ball from the TE position and blocking as a FB. He is 6-foot-2, 247 pounds. Light on his feet and displays soft hands. His versatility makes him a exciting player that could save a roster spot. The Steelers need more depth at the TE position and Millard could be the Joker TE similar to Aaron Hernadez or Jordan Reed. Great intangibles and a leader on Oklahoma's team.
Round 7, Pick No. 230-
Shaquil Barrett, OLB Colorado State
The Steelers need to find some depth at OLB and Barrett could help their. He doesn't possess an outstanding first step but has a high motor. He finished with 12 sacks as a Junior and played at Joey Porter's former college. Barrett would come in as a camp body who could develop into a back up OLB. He is a big short and need to improve his strength.