2019 NFL Mock Draft: With both Devins gone, the Steelers take a surprise LB in Round 1

The 2019 NFL Draft is just around the corner, and as the NFL world turns their focus from Pro Days to pre-draft visits, fans typically begin the process of trying to predict who their favorite team will select.

For the Pittsburgh Steelers, they have now gained 10 total draft picks throughout the three day, 7 round process. Most websites simply consist of showing who they think the team will take in the first round, and maybe a two-round mock draft, but there are a few rare media personalities who will take a stab at a full 7-round prediction.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Ray Fittipaldo is one of those rogue journalists, and put out his second full mock draft of the year recently. At this point these predictions are just stabs in the dark. Great for conversation and debate, but that is about it.

For the record, Fittipaldo goes into great detail on all of his selections, you can read them all HERE, but out of respect to the work he did I will show his explanation of just his first round pick.

At this point, check out the full mock draft below, and feel free to let us know what you think of the haul in the comment section below!

The background of the selections:

But what happens if White and Bush are both gone by the time the Steelers pick and they fail in their efforts to move up to get one of them?

In that scenario, general manager Kevin Colbert would be forced to consider taking a cornerback such as Greedy Williams of LSU or Byron Murphy of Washington, or perhaps a receiver or maybe even speedy tight end Noah Fant of Iowa.

Here is a wild-card scenario that hasn’t been discussed very much: how about...

1. Florida State outside linebacker Brian Burns

If the Steelers really want to upgrade their defense, they’ll resist the urge to use a first-round pick on an offensive player. By signing free agent corner Steven Nelson, linebacker Mark Barron and receiver Donte Moncrief, the Steelers are in position to select the best defensive player available should they have to select at No. 20.

And Burns very well might be the best player available at that point. The Steelers don’t necessarily need an outside linebacker this year, but there is some uncertainty at the position long term with Bud Dupree looking like he will play on a $9.2 million fifth-year option on his rookie contract...

...It’s a pick that comes with some risk. The return might not be immediate – at least not in terms of his overall play. But Burns has potential to become a Pro Bowl player.

It would be up to defensive coordinator Keith Butler and his staff to bring that out of him. The Steelers have lacked dynamic playmakers on defense. In addition to 23 sacks at Florida State, Burns had seven forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries in college. For a turnover-starved team like the Steelers, Burns could be the difference-maker they need.

2. CB Julian Love of Notre Dame (5-11, 195)

3.a. ILB Mack Wilson of Alabama (6-1, 240)

3.b. WR Terry McLaurin of Ohio State (6-0, 208)

4. TE Josh Oliver of San Jose State (6-5, 249)

5. DL Kingsley Keke of Texas A&M (6-3, 288)

6a. WR David Sills of West Virginia (6-3, 211)

6b. S Saquan Hampton of Rutgers (6-1, 206)

6c, P Jake Bailey of Stanford (6-1, 200)

7. RB Qadree Ollison of Pitt (6-1, 228)