Todd McShay’s latest Mock Draft has the Steelers going after a cornerback in Round 1

The Pittsburgh Steelers have plenty of needs on the defensive side of the football. However, while most experts and analysts abide by the same theory on what positions are paramount, ESPN’s NFL Draft expert Todd McShay is bucking those trends.

The usual suspects, when it comes to positions of need for the Steelers’ defense, are as follows:

Inside Linebacker
Safety
Edge Rusher
Nose Tackle

For the first time in a long time, cornerback isn’t on the list. While it seems strange to suggest, the Steelers don’t have a huge need at the cornerback position heading into the offseason. With a depth chart of Artie Burns, Joe Haden, Mike Hilton, Cameron Sutton, Brian Allen, William Gay and Coty Sensabaugh, the team shouldn’t need to go after cornerback, at least early in the draft.

Nonetheless, McShay has the Steelers taking a cornerback in the first round of the draft in his latest Mock Draft 2.0.

See who he has slated to go to Pittsburgh, and why:

28. Pittsburgh Steelers

Josh Jackson, CB, Iowa*

The Steelers still can use help on the outside, even after using a first-round pick on a CB in 2016 (Artie Burns). Jackson is a long corner and an absolute ball hawk who led the nation with eight INTs. His timed speed at the combine will play a big role in where he gets drafted.

There are many reasons why this pick doesn’t make much sense. First, see above when it comes to the bigger needs for the Steelers. Yes, the team never drafts by positional need, rather focused on Best Player Available (BPA), but the truth is there will likely be at least one player from another position who would be a better fit at pick No. 28.

Also, if McShay is suggesting Jackson would need to test well at the NFL Scouting Combine, you have to wonder if he is truly a first round talent. Yes he lead the NCAA in interceptions, but fans remember Gerod Holliman, right? The man who is now playing in the Arena Football League.

It is still early, and these mock drafts are guesses at best, but what do you think about McShay’s pick, the position and the overall thought of adding to cornerback early in the draft? Let us know in the comment section below!