In a matter of hours, the pain-staking minutes of watching every possible selection of the Pittsburgh Steelers will finally come to a merciless end as the NFL Draft begins.
With three days and seven rounds of the draft ahead of us, it’s time for a few fearless predictions about what the Steelers will do in the Draft.
1. The Drafting of Two Corners is a Sure Thing. I don’t know in what order or what form but I feel confident you’ll see the Steelers take two cornerbacks. That’s not necessarily an indictment of any one particular guy on the roster but let’s be honest; this secondary needs serious help. Don’t be surprised if two corners are taken in the first three rounds although I think first four rounds is more realistic.
2. Character Issues Will Not Be Quite the Factor They Once Were. I thought the most telling thing to come from the Kevin Colbert-Mike Tomlin press conference was Colbert’s often animated comments about players with character issues. Whether that’s an indication the Steelers will take Marcus Peters or Randy Gregory or Shane Ray I cannot say, but I think they are willing to deal with some headaches.
3. If the Draft Breaks the Right (or Wrong) Way, Someone Other Than a Corner or Edge Rusher Will Be the Pick. I told you earlier this week that the Steelers had three corners and a linebacker in their top five. The other position? Offensive line. Therefore, it’s possible the Steelers could snag one of the offensive tackles should they be there at 22. This of course assumes that there is not an edge rusher or cornerback they feel comfortable taking at that spot.
4. It Doesn’t Matter Who the Pick is in Round One Because more than 50% of Steelers’ Fans Won’t Like It. This is probably true of all 32 teams’ fan bases but it really is especially accurate for the Steelers. Our fans are knowledgeable and passionate and when you combine those two you get a whole lot of people who claim to know what’s best. Trust me, if you’re on social media, you’ll see exactly what I’m talking about.
5. Trade Up? How ironic would it be if the Steelers, who many of us want to see trade down, actually trade up? With very few true first-round picks in this draft, don’t be surprised if the team makes a move up the ladder rather than down.
3 comments
The thing that scares me about any character issue players, is that I’m not convinced the Steelers locker room can handle that type of player anymore. Back in the day with all of the veterans around, sure…but now with so many young players and so many issues recently with draft picks that busted for off field problems…I’m not so sure. However on the flip side, sometimes taking chances does pay off.
I agree. There was certainly a better group of vets a few years ago. Maybe they are thinking Harrison and Heyward can be the ringleaders.
Up for who?
After listening to Steelers nation radio I too think if Marcus Peters is on the board they will take him.