Re-Drafting the 2018 NFL Draft leaves the Steelers with an interesting haul

If you aren’t a fan of NFL Mock Drafts, then I doubt you would be a fan of websites going back and going Re-Drafts. Nonetheless, with the offseason looming large in just over a week, websites like ESPN have already started to look back and wonder, “What if?”

Most recently, ESPN went back and re-drafted the first two rounds of the 2018 NFL Draft. Of course, when I saw the headline I bought it hook, line and sinker. I wanted to see who they had the Pittsburgh Steelers taking in the first two rounds, with a year officially in the books on the 2018 rookie class.

Here is a quick rundown of the simple rules the ESPN reporters utilized when participating in the re-draft:

We’re starting this re-draft with a clean slate -- the order below is from when the draft began on April 26, 2018. That means no trades allowed. That’s why you see teams picking in their original spots throughout.

ESPN’s Steelers writer Jeremy Fowler did the selections for the black and gold, and here is who had coming to Pittsburgh in the first and second rounds of the selection process:

28. Pittsburgh Steelers

Original pick: Terrell Edmunds, S New pick: Nick Chubb, RB

With Le’Veon Bell most likely heading to a new team, the Steelers have a chance to rebuild their running game and provide more balance for the offense. Chubb is the best back in the draft not named Saquon Barkley and can pair with James Conner for a vicious tandem. The top defensive playmakers were off the board, so Pittsburgh must get secondary help in the second round.

I must admit, the more I thought about a Chubb, Conner and now Jaylen Samuels, assuming he would still be available in the later rounds, backfield is downright frightening. You thought Conner’s performance made fans wonder “Le’Veon who?” Just imagine what a Chubb/Conner backfield would have done.

But ESPN wasn’t done there. They went on to the 2nd round too, and while the Steelers took James Washington in the real life draft, a familiar name was selected in Round 2:

60. Pittsburgh Steelers

Original pick: James Washington, WR New pick: Terrell Edmunds, S

The Steelers’ original first-round pick falls to them in the second. The organization would be happy. Edmunds proved reliable in a starter’s role, playing a team-high 1,190 snaps with 78 tackles and an interception. His tackling needs improvement, but he is a rangy athlete in the open field. Taking Edmunds is a close call over cornerbacks Mike Hughes and J.C. Jackson.

There you have it. Chubb and Edmunds in Rounds 1-2 in the 2018 NFL Draft. What do you think of the haul? Would you have been happier than what you were during the actual draft? Would you have targeted someone else, or another position? Let us know in the comment section below what you think!