Pittsburgh Steelers Draft Needs 3.0

The 2015 NFL Draft is nearly here, and don't think for a second the organization's draft board isn't in a constant state of flux with pre-draft prospect visits, workouts and endless amount of game film being broken down in a repetitive fashion. The same can be said for the crew here at BTSC, and it is time we update the Steelers' Draft Needs with our 3.0 version.

When the Steelers select 22nd on April 30th, anything can happen depending on who is still on the board, etc, but with some recent news - Ike Taylor's retirement - it is time to see if those happenings change the outlook of the team moving into the draft.

1. Outside Linebacker: Outside Linebacker stays in the top spot of the Draft Needs list for good reason. The upcoming draft isn't as deep at the pass rusher position as people may think, and although the big names like Beasley and Ray could be gone before the team selects in the first round, there are still capable players to be had. If the team tries to ignore the pass rusher in round one, the edge rusher they take in later rounds could be a significant drop off from those available early.

2. Cornerback: Another position which didn't change from the 2.0 to 3.0 rankings, and Ike Taylor's retirement didn't have anything to do with this since he wasn't in the Steelers' plans in 2015 regardless. The fact this draft has plenty of quality cornerbacks in it is a sentiment as to the team's ability to draft NFL capable players in the early rounds without spending their Thursday pick on the position. I feel the Steelers would be wise to draft multiple defensive backs in this draft, but those should be spent in Rounds 2-5.

3. Defensive Line: Last week saw this as the No. 4 need for the team heading into the draft, but analyze the team's depth chart and you could make a legitimate case the Steelers could go DT with their Thursday pick. If they aren't sold on an edge rusher, and the cornerbacks who might be available at No. 22 could have the team look to add quality depth up front. After all, do Steelers fans really want to see more of Cam Thomas on the field in 2015? I didn't think so.

4. Safety: Formerly the No. 3 need on the list, the Steelers should target safety, but with Will Allen being re-signed it doesn't become as much of a necessity as it was even a week ago. The Steelers would like to bring in a young safety to possibly compete with Shamarko Thomas or Mike Mitchell, but the team seems to be okay with the safety depth heading into the draft, which would have them looking in the mid rounds for a possible safety.

5. Tight End: The Steelers have spent plenty of time doing their due diligence bringing in tight end prospects for pre-draft visits, and the team seems committed to finding Heath Miller's eventual replacement. Miller is reaching the end of his career, and the Steelers don't have a fall back plan if something were to happen to their trusted veteran tight end. After Miller is Matt Spaeth and unproven Rob Blanchflower. Don't expect the Steelers to try and take a tight end early in the draft, but mid-to-late rounds are where the team could add to their current depth at tight end.

6. Wide Receiver: Antonio Brown is, well, Antonio Brown, Martavis Bryant is a budding super star and Markus Wheaton is turning into a reliable move-the-chains type of receiver. After that? Not much is cooking for the Steelers' in terms of their wide receiver depth. The team has brought in some big name prospects for pre-draft visits, but when they target wide receiver is difficult to predict. Kevin Colbert has been able to select gems in the mid rounds (Bryant in the 4th, Brown in the 6th), and Steelers fans could expect more of the same in the upcoming draft.

7. Running Back: The Steelers found out Le'Veon Bell will miss the first 3 games of the 2015 due to a suspension, but the feeling around the team is they are happy with their current depth. DeAngelo Williams was brought in for this exact purpose, and Dri Archer and Josh Harris seem to be the leading candidates behind Williams in Bell's absence. The team could certainly look to add a RB in the draft, as they have brought in a couple for pre-draft visits, but the team has more glaring needs other than RB. Look for them to possibly take a late round RB, or try to find another player like Harris, who was a undrafted free agent, to bring into training camp.

8. Offensive Guard: David DeCastro will be in Pittsburgh until at least 2016, but the starting offensive line isn't the ultimate concern with the team moving forward. The depth along the line is what could be described as a concern. The Steelers could certainly spend a late round pick (possibly their 6th round compensatory pick) on a versatile lineman who can play all 3 interior line positions. This was thought to be Wesley Johnson, drafted in 2014, but was claimed off waivers by the New York Jets last season. Look for the team to target a similar prospect in the 2015 Draft.

To cross-reference our previous Draft Needs:
Steelers Draft Needs 1.0
Steelers Draft Needs 2.0