Mock Draft: Could Tim Williams be the Steelers pick in Round 1 of the 2017 NFL Draft?

The Pittsburgh Steelers are in need of a pass rusher, and most of the fan base is hoping they address this need in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft. You can’t blame them. After all, the team is going to rely on James Harrison and Bud Dupree to anchor their respective ends, but although Dupree certainly is capable of shouldering that load, the 39 year-old Harrison could benefit from a young buck to help spell him from time to time.

Assuming the Steelers will target a pass rusher early in the draft, the next question becomes which pass rusher will the team target at No. 30 in the first round. This draft of pass rushers is tremendously deep, and there are a lot of names which are being tossed around as potential landing spots for the black and gold.

We decided to take a look at the latest mock draft by NFL Network’s Bucky Brooks for an answer, and he has the Steelers taking Tim Williams, linebacker from Alabama.

30. Tim Williams - LB, Alabama

The Steelers need a fastball pitcher off the edge. Williams has exceptional first-step quickness and body control.

Williams has some dynamic film, but there are certain questions surrounding the Crimson Tide pass rusher. Some compare him to Jarvis Jones, while others believe he is the perfect prospect for a team looking for someone who simply gets after the quarterback with a fury unlike few others.

To give you a better idea about Williams, and how he could possibly fit with a team like Pittsburgh, check out his draft profile below, from NFL.com, an the breakdown video at the bottom of the article.

Do you like Williams as a potential first round pick for the Steelers? Let us know in the comment section below.

NFL Draft Profile:

STRENGTHS

Muscle fibers are tight and twitchy. Rockets out of stance like a track sprinter, but with shoulder pads on. True edge bending ability as a rusher. Pass-rush approach is more sophisticated than he is given credit for. Can win outside or inside making every rush a potential two-way go. Shows good feel for the pass-rush arc and understands when to attack the corner. Able to dip shoulder and pivot under and around an offensive tackle and into the quarterback. Hand usage well-timed as a rusher. Primarily a rusher but showed continuing improvement in technique at the point of attack. Should post impressive straight-line speed at the combine. Plus foot quickness with the smoothness to drop into coverage and operate in space on zone blitzes.

WEAKNESSES

Scouts say he struggles with Alabama scheme and needs to have things simplified. Can be taken advantage of with screen passes and misdirection. Has sinewy build that resembles a move tight end more than an NFL edge rusher. Arms and chest lack thickness and that shows up in his play strength. Is improving as edge-setter but he still needs work. Would benefit from a stronger initial punch. Athletic tackles with a well-timed punch can stymie his rush plans. Needs to do better job of getting set pre-snap. Has some hip tightness that limits his stride length upfield and laterally.

Video: