Mike Mayock NFL Draft rankings show promise for Steelers at several positions

The Pittsburgh Steelers have their list of team needs heading into the 2017 NFL Draft, and NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock’s most recent position rankings show promise for the black and gold.

By Jeff.Hartman@BnGBlitz Mar 28, 2017, 5:20am EDT

The Pittsburgh Steelers are a team without many missing pieces from their overall puzzle, but they, like other NFL teams, have glaring needs heading into the upcoming 2017 NFL Draft.

When looking at those needs, and comparing them to NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock’s position rankings 2.0, you see hope for the black and gold. Some may ask how an analysts thoughts can somehow show hope, and it is strictly through the obvious depth at key positions of need for the Steelers.

Drafting 30th in the first round is never easy. You won’t be getting a player who is a guaranteed stud from Day 1, but have to take a pick from the “best of what’s left” heap in the first round, but with the Steelers two biggest areas of need being pass rusher and cornerback, those who are left on the heap very well could be big time players for the Steelers in 2017.

Take a look at Mayock’s rankings for the two positions:

Edge rusher

1. Myles Garrett, Texas A&M

2. Solomon Thomas, Stanford

3. Derek Barnett, Tennessee

4. Takkarist McKinley, UCLA

5. Tim Williams, Alabama

Cornerback

1. Marshon Lattimore, Ohio State

2. Marlon Humphrey, Alabama

3. Kevin King, Washington

4. Gareon Conley, Ohio State

5. Fabian Moreau, UCLA

Nickel

1. Budda Baker, Washington

2. Chidobe Awuzie, Colorado

3. Jourdan Lewis, Michigan

4. Desmond King, Iowa

5. Damontae Kazee, San Diego State

When you look at these names, you see there should be a top notch player for the Steelers to select, even with picking at the tail end of the first round. Could the Steelers trade up? or down? Absolutely, but as shown above, they should still have their pick at either a solid pass rusher or cornerback when it is their turn to pick.

With that said, cornerback and pass rusher aren’t the only team needs heading into the draft, and the Steelers could very well have their pick of prospects to choose from on Day 2 and 3 of the annual selection process.

The other positions which the Steelers could target would likely be running back, inside linebacker, defensive line, tight end, quarterback and wide receiver.

Check out the rankings at those positions: