What Positions Offer Most Value for Pittsburgh Steelers in 2015 NFL Draft?
The 2015 NFL draft will have a strong defensive feel for the Pittsburgh Steelers. At least that would appear to be the case as the Steelers attempt to build a strong defense to go along with their already potent offense.
As tempting as this strategy may sound, it may not be a wise one. Pittsburgh must improve its talent on the defensive side of the ball, but acquiring quality talent is more important than filling needs. Ideally, the Steelers will be able to achieve both when it comes to their early draft picks.
With an offense that averaged 27.3 points per game, the Steelers are all but set. They have the starting line returning next season as well as their top tight end, top four receivers, All-Pro running back and franchise quarterback.
Aside from a stud left tackle falling in the first or the top tight end lasting until their pick in the second, the Steelers can shy away from the offensive side of the ball in the first two rounds. That will place a strong emphasis on defense, where they must fill holes at outside linebacker and in the secondary.
Of course, these needs could change depending on the defensive philosophy that the Steelers plan to employ next season. With the resignation of Dick LeBeau, Mike Tomlin—and his new defensive coordinator—could choose to go in a new direction.
Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette had some thoughts on linebackers coach Keith Butler if he replaces LeBeau as defensive coordinator:
"The Steelers would like to retain some continuity in their defense by hiring Butler, who has been the linebackers coach since 2003 and has long been considered the heir apparent to LeBeau.
But they also want to change what they do defensively after the Steelers struggled the past two seasons stopping the run, preventing the deep pass and sacking the quarterback.
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Based on these needs, all the Steelers have to draft is a dominant nose tackle, a shutdown cornerback and a stellar edge-rusher. This is an impossible task for even the general manager and scouts. Therefore, the Steelers must do their best to match value with need.
As the offseason progresses, the Steelers will continually evaluate prospects and determine which players provide the value in the early rounds and which they can wait on. Here is a preview of the positions that offer the most value for the Steelers in the 2015 draft—organized from the lowest to the highest draft need.
Running Back
1 of 5
Of Pittsburgh’s top needs, running back is the least important with Le’Veon Bell already in the backfield. However, with only Dri Archer and Josh Harris behind him, the Steelers must upgrade their depth.
Running back is a position that teams can find quality talent outside of the first round. No running back was drafted in the first last year, and the Steelers found Bell in the second round two years ago. They will wait even later when addressing the depth at the position this year.
According to Matt Miller of Bleacher Report, only five running backs rank in the top 64, meaning there will be quality options in the third round and later. One of those names that will stand out is Jeremy Langford—another Michigan State product.
Langford is a physical running back who was very productive while at Michigan State with over 1,500 total yards last year. Finding a player like Langford later in the draft would not only fill a need, but allow the Steelers to focus on higher priorities in the early rounds.
Nose Tackle
2 of 5
On the surface, the Steelers appear set at nose tackle with Steve McLendon and Daniel McCullers. However, McCullers is a relative unknown and may only have the upside of a rotational player, while McLendon has a contract that will expire after the 2015 season.
Already with two big, physical defensive ends, the Steelers could solidify their defensive line with a massive nose tackle. In order to get a talented option, they will have to invest in a first-round draft choice.
Miller has six defensive tackles ranked in the top 38 players on his big board. Five of these players will be in range for the Steelers when they select with the 22nd pick in the first round. Eddie Goldman, Danny Shelton, Malcom Brown and Jordan Phillips are the top names who could fit.
Nose tackle may not be the biggest need, but it is a position where the Steelers could get a tremendous amount of value. McLendon and McCullers are a solid pair in the middle of the defense, but a stud nose tackle could help elevate the defense.
Teamed up with Cameron Heyward and Stephon Tuitt, a player such as Goldman or Shelton could give the Steelers a dominant defensive line. Winning the game in the trenches will only help the rest of the defense as it continues building its linebacker corps and secondary.
Safety
3 of 5
Pittsburgh’s defense was once built up the middle with Casey Hampton at nose tackle, James Farrior at inside linebacker and Troy Polamalu at safety. While the former two positions are solid, the Steelers are in need of help at the back end of their defense.
Polamalu is on his last legs and may not return next year, and Mike Mitchell is coming off a dreadful first season. Add in that Shamarko Thomas is still an unknown, and there is a need to add a playmaker at safety.
Miller has Gerod Holliman as the top-rated free safety (No. 19 overall) and Landon Collins as the top-rated strong safety (No. 7 overall). With so little talent at the top of the draft, the odds of either falling to the Steelers’ draft slot is slim.
That leaves little value at the top of the draft to address the safety position. Rather than reach for one of the mid-tier safeties in the secondary round, the Steelers will have to wait until the third or fourth if they want to add depth.
There is a plethora of safety prospects in this area of the draft. Although the Steelers may not find a starter-quality safety here, they can find depth and a developmental player.
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Cornerback
4 of 5
There is no question that cornerback will be one of the top needs as the Steelers enter the 2015 offseason and a priority in the draft. As of now, only William Gay, Cortez Allen and B.W. Webb are under contract for the 2015 season.
Not only do the Steelers need to find a future—or even current—starter, but they need to continue to add depth. That means they could potentially double-dip at the position, with one being in the first or second round.
According to Miller, only Marcus Peters, Trae Waynes and Jalen Collins rank in the top 32 of the draft. Peters may potentially be gone as the top cornerback in the draft, leaving Waynes as a logical target.
As much as the Steelers need a cornerback, they cannot afford to reach for the position with so many other needs. Many of the other cornerbacks have borderline first-round grades or are solid second-round draft picks.
The second round appears as though it will provide the best value for cornerbacks in this draft. With players such as Kevin Johnson, Alex Carter, Ronald Darby and P.J. Williams, the Steelers will have their choice of a talented corner on Day 2 of the draft.
Fans may get frustrated if the Steelers pass on a cornerback in the first round, but finding the best available talent is more important than overdrafting a player for need.
Outside Linebacker
5 of 5
Long known for their ability to sack the quarterback, the Steelers have only picked up 77 sacks over the past two seasons, including 33 this season. Of an even greater concern is that 17 of these sacks are from free agents—Jason Worilds, James Harrison and Arthur Moats—and another 1.5 sacks—Brett Keisel and Cam Thomas—may be cap casualties.
Luckily for the Steelers, this draft is stacked with pass-rushers. Miller has seven players graded out in the top 32 of the draft and numerous others with second-round grades. That puts Pittsburgh in excellent position to not only add a quality pass-rusher early in the draft, but also one who provides plenty of value.
The top prospect—Shane Ray—may not be available, but players such as Alvin Dupree, Dante Fowler Jr. and Vic Beasley are all potential first-round options. In the second and third rounds, Hauoli Kikaha, Nate Orchard, Eli Harold and Markus Golden all provide excellent value.
Given the development timeline on outside linebackers, the Steelers may wait until the second or third round to address the position. Even with a potentially simplified defensive scheme under a new coordinator, it is a tough transition from college pass-rusher to NFL outside linebacker.
Jarvis Jones is still an unknown after two years, and an early pass-rusher in this year’s draft could be on a similar developmental timeline. However, no matter when they select one, there will be plenty of talented options to choose from whether it is the first, second or third round.
Note: Unless otherwise noted, all stats are courtesy of ESPN.com, all draft rankings are courtesy of Matt Miller of Bleacher Report, all salary information is courtesy of Spotrac.com and all roster information is courtesy of Steelers.com.
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