2015 NFL Draft: Pittsburgh Steelers Draft Scenario 4.0

As the Pittsburgh Steelers sit and wait to see what unfolds with picks 1-21 in the 2015 NFL Draft, a lot can happen. Names fall off their big board, players drop from expected draft positions and sometimes things go as you planned. The latter is a rarity I'm sure in draft rooms across the NFL landscape. Nonetheless, the Steelers organization will go through their individual mock drafts and scenarios and prepare for every possible situation which could occur tonight.

Thanks to our friends at fanspeak.com, we have created a unique scenario which has the Steelers having to choose between several defensive positions, but also players who's stock has risen and dropped throughout the offseason leading up to the big day.

A marquee pass rushing name remain on the board, and a few cornerbacks who have gotten the team's attention also are still available. What do the Steelers do?

Scenario:

The big name pass rushers like Vic Beasley, Dante Fowler, Bud Dupree and Randy Gregory are long gone off the draft board. Shane Ray remains available, but the Steelers are hesitant about this player for off-field and injury issues. The secondary position also has seen a couple of players the Steelers might target off the board. Trae Waynes and Marcus Peters have been selected which leaves Jalen Collins, Kevin Johnson and Byron Jones as the primary cornerbacks still on the board. Safety Landon Collins has been selected as have defensive tackles Malcom Brown and Arik Armstead.

Response:

The Steelers are going to avoid Ray like the plague for multiple reasons. There is a common thought among experts his injured foot might still require surgery and would have him miss the entire preseason and possibly the beginning of the regular season. Throw in the fact he has reportedly failed drug tests while at Missourri and was recently cited for possession of marijuana putting him in the NFL's substance abuse program before even being drafted and the Steelers will pass on the OLB prospect.

With no other pass rushers on the board the team feels is a genuine first round pick they look at the cornerback position. Jalen Collins and his history of drug use has them shying away from him, which leaves Kevin Johnson and Byron Jones as possibilities for the team at the No. 22 spot.

Johnson's size and struggles with tackling in college troubles Mike Tomlin and Keith Butler as the Steelers' defense puts an emphasis on defensive backs being able to tackle the ball with consistency and efficiency. Those factors have the team pass on Johnson.

Therefore, with the 22nd pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers select Byron Jones, cornerback, University of Connecticut.