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Everyone who knows anything understands the Pittsburgh Steelers need defensive help in the 2018 NFL Draft. This has been covered enough, but the focus of that coverage has always been with two positions in mind: Safety and Inside Linebacker.
While I can’t disagree with the focal point being up the middle of the defense, it also should be noted there have been several analysts who believe the Steelers could still be in play for a high round cornerback.
It seems foolish to think about with Joe Haden, Artie Burns, Mike Hilton, Cam Sutton and plenty other names still on the roster, but the future of the position could be one which requires attention now. Reality states Haden might not be back after the 2018 season, and who would take his place? Sutton is still very much an unknown, and Hilton, entering a contract year, thrives solely in the slot.
Maybe drafting a cornerback high wouldn’t be such a bad idea after all.
This is exactly the thinking from Dane Brugler of NFL Draft Scout in his latest 3-round mock draft. The Steelers do attack the defensive side of the football, in the first two rounds, but maybe not the positions many expect.
Take a look at Dane’s selections for the Steelers, and his explanation:
Round 1
28. Pittsburgh Steelers — Jaire Alexander, CB, Louisville
The addition of Joe Haden helped, but cornerback is still one of the weak spots on the Steelers’ roster. Alexander, who is skill-set similar to Haden, might be undersized, but he plays bigger with his athleticism, toughness and ball skills.
Round 2
60. Pittsburgh Steelers — Justin Reid, FS, Stanford
While he doesn’t have a dominant trait, Reid is well-rounded and will compete for immediate snaps.
Round 3
92. Pittsburgh Steelers — Mike White, QB, Western Kentucky
There wasn’t an explanation from Brugler on picking a quarterback in the third round, but BTSC’s own 58Steel took to social media to find out why he would project a developmental quarterback in the third round after spending a fourth round pick on Joshua Dobbs, another developmental quarterback, last year.
Part of it is I think Dobbs is terrible
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) April 7, 2018
There you have it...pretty simple reason as to why he thinks the Steelers could take a signal caller on Day 2 of the draft process.
What do you think of the picks? Do you see the Steelers following this lead? Or is this a joke of a mock draft? Let us know in the comment section below, and be sure to stay tuned to BTSC for the latest news and notes surrounding the black-and-gold.