2020 NFL Mock Draft: Steelers look to add to pass rush with top pick

It is sad to say, but the Pittsburgh Steelers are now in full offseason mode, and that means looking ahead to the 2020 NFL Draft. Considering the fact the Steelers traded their first round overall pick in the upcoming Draft, the 18th overall pick, to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for Minkah Fitzpatrick, there isn’t as much excitement surrounding the draft. However, the team will continue to look at prospects and do the best they can to make the team better heading into 2020.

When you are talking about mock drafts, or the overall NFL Draft season, you have to first identify what the team’s main needs are heading into the selection process. For the Steelers, they would be as follows, in no particular order:

Wide Receiver
Running Back
Offensive Line
EDGE Rusher
Tight End

There could be other positions added to the above list, but when it comes to what position the team will target with their first pick, it is certainly up for debate.

In the latest multiple round mock draft by The Draft Wire, they had the Steelers addressing their pass rush with their first pick in the second round.

Check out the pick:

49. Pittsburgh Steelers | Curtis Weaver | EDGE | Boise State

If you are like me, there are plenty of prospects out there preparing for the Senior Bowl and NFL Scouting Combine which I haven’t seen play before. Weaver would fall into this category, so I did some research on Weaver and this is what The Draft Network had to say about Weaver’s Pros and Cons heading into the draft process:

PROS: Thick frame with a powerful base and natural leverage to present a strong anchor against the run. Is rarely reach blocked successfully due to his strong initial step and solid anchor. Explosive off the ball with an upfield, disruptive approach, as well as low and hot pads. Regularly the first to initiate hands off the ball and knows his leverage points to attack: regularly gets to a half-man relationship by disengaging OL punch at elbows or armpits. Upper body power is snappy and explosive and regularly creates displacement. Surprisingly slippery; smart getting his shoulders turned into gaps and slipping through tight alleys to generate pressure.

CONS: Does not have ideal bend for an outside rusher and seems more like a Big 5-tech at this current juncture of his development. Ability to flip hips and corner is only there in slight flashes and cannot be trusted on a snap-to-snap basis: often gets pushed beyond the peak of the pocket and lacks the hip and ankle mobility to flatten his path to the QB. Not much of a counter game to his profile just yet, but that’s to be expected given how quickly he wins against Group of 5 competition.

For all you draftniks out there, what do you think of the selection? Would you be on board with the Steelers taking Weaver with their first pick, albeit in the second round? Or should the team target another position/player at that spot? Let us know in the comment section below, and remember these mock drafts are merely speculation and caused to create discussion among the fan base.