Pittsburgh Steelers' Top Needs, Fits for 2015 NFL Draft to Build for the Future

The NFL draft is how teams build a base of young, developmental players who will someday become the core of the roster. Teams that do well in the draft tend to do better in the win column than ones that don't. It's a crucial time of year, especially for a team like the Pittsburgh Steelers, which has glaring roster needs.

Now, not all needs will be met in the draft. In fact, it's often a risky proposition to only draft players that meet current needs. However, those roster holes must be taken into consideration with every pick the Steelers make. With that in mind, here are the Steelers' eight biggest positional needs and three players at each position who could meet them, whether in the first few rounds or on Day 3.

Outside Linebacker

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Currently, the Steelers have just three dedicated outside linebackers who could start this year—James Harrison, Arthur Moats and Jarvis Jones. Three is not enough for a team that prides itself on its ability to pressure quarterbacks. However, there's little doubt the Steelers will ignore this position in the draft. In fact, they could address it both in early and later rounds

Randy Gregory, Nebraska

Once considered a potential top-15 pick, Randy Gregory's recent admission to smoking copious amounts of marijuana in college, which led to him failing a drug test at the scouting combine, could see him fall all the way to 22, where the Steelers pick in Round 1.

Depending on how serious the Steelers' concerns about his off-field issues are—something they will likely discuss with him in-depth when they host him for a pre-draft visit—he could be their top target this year.

In two years at Nebraska, Gregory totaled 120 combined tackles, 25.5 tackles for a loss, 17.5 sacks, two interceptions and four passes defended. He had 54 combined tackles, 8.5 tackles for a loss, seven sacks, an interception and three passes defended in 2014.

While CBS Sports' Dane Brugler notes that "Gregory lacks polish and the bulk scouts would prefer," he "has the upside to rank among the NFL's most feared edge-rushers." He has an "[e]xplosive get-off and burst to advance upfield very quickly, displaying outstanding speed and closing burst in pursuit of the ballcarrier."

He's clearly a high-level talent as an edge-rusher, something the Steelers require. They just need to be convinced that his off-field issues are truly behind him.

Nate Orchard, Utah

In Round 2 or 3, Utah's Nate Orchard may be a good use of a Pittsburgh pick. In two seasons, Orchard totaled 134 combined tackles, 30 tackles for a loss, 22 sacks, four passes defended and six forced fumbles. He had 84 tackles, 21 tackles for a loss, 18.5 sacks, three passes defended and three forced fumbles in 2014.

Brugler compares Orchard to the New England Patriots' Rob Ninkovich, saying that Orchard is "[a]ctive and rangy for the position" and possesses "[s]ubtle rush movements to set up moves, finding ways to get to the quarterback. Like Ninkovich, Orchard "struggles [versus] the run," but "use[s] savvy pass-rush ability and a nonstop motor to be effective."

Orchard's "average" athleticism is made up for by his relentlessness and toughness, two traits the Steelers would welcome in a pass-rushing rookie.

Ryan Mueller, Kansas State

The Steelers could find themselves a late-round pass-rushing gem this year should they have their eye on Kansas State's Ryan Mueller. Though not invited to the scouting combine, Mueller put up pro day numbers rivaling those of the draft class' best edge-rushers, including a three-cone drill and a short shuttle that both would have been in the top-four among combine linebackers had he been there.

Mueller has a combined 119 career tackles, 33 tackles for a loss and 20 sacks in four seasons at Kansas State, including 40 total tackles, 11 tackles for a loss and six sacks in 2014.

Brugler says that Mueller, "[d]isplays a strong understanding of leverage and angles with a flexible lower body and powerful hands to finish tackles and "[r]outinely plays alert, well-prepared and assignment sound, reading the run well and containing the edge."

Though Brugler knocks Mueller's height, weight and strength, he does add that he has "a tremendous competitive nature and relentless pursuit with excellent recovery quickness, playing fast and controlled nonstop."

Mueller could easily overcome his physical shortcomings by outworking his peers.

Cornerback

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Among the Steelers' myriad defensive needs this year, cornerback is just as important as pass-rusher. Though they do have enough players to field two starting boundary corners and a nickel in William Gay, Antwon Blake and Cortez Allen, they also need more high-quality depth to turn into starters in 2015 or beyond.

Trae Waynes, Michigan State

Though the 2015 draft class is deep at cornerback, that does not mean the Steelers are in line for its best one, Michigan State's Trae Waynes. However, it's clear they have some degree of interest in him—though no pre-draft visit is scheduled, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, general manager Kevin Colbert and defensive backs coach Carnell Lake gave him a close look at Michigan State's pro day last month.

Waynes totaled 101 tackles, four tackles for a loss, 1.5 sacks, six interceptions and 13 passes defended in his collegiate career. In 2014, he totaled 46 tackles, two tackles for a loss, one sack, three interceptions and eight passes defended.

Waynes is a man corner who, "plays with confidence" in the words of CBS Sports' Dane Brugler. He "plays with a physical, downhill demeanor, delivering a pop at contact in run support," and "keeps his eyes alert to quickly diagnose and break on the ball with natural ball skills to make plays."

Waynes could use additional bulk for the NFL, with Brugler noting that he is "easily pushed around by wide receivers," and his response—grabbing onto players—could result in him becoming a penalty magnet at the next level. These are bad habits that can be coached out of Waynes. The Steelers need a cornerback with the ability to work on an island, and Waynes is the premier one in this draft class.

Kevin Johnson, Wake Forest

If a cornerback is in the Steelers' plans in Round 1 and Waynes is already spoken for, then Wake Forest's Kevin Johnson could easily prove to be the next best thing. Johnson totaled 189 career combined tackles over four years, including eight tackles for a loss, seven interceptions and 38 passes defended. He had 44 combined tackles, 3.5 tackles for a loss, one interception and six passes defended in 2014.

CBS Sports' Rob Rang cites one of Johnson's biggest strengths as "showing great quickness and fluidity to turn and run with receivers when in man coverage, as well as excellent downhill burst back to the ball for zone." He also noted that Johnson "doesn't panic when the ball is in the air, showing good timing on his leaps and the hand-eye coordination to pick off the pass."

Johnson has worked on the boundary and as a nickel cornerback and hasn't missed a single game due to injury. Though he doesn't have the ideal size to help defend the run on a consistent basis and "does show occasional over-aggression, getting burned on double-moves by speedy receivers," his athleticism, speed and great technique could get him on the field for significant snaps in his rookie year.

Craig Mager, Texas State

The Steelers aren't limited to just the first round or two to find themselves a promising cornerback. The middle rounds could also prove fruitful this year, and one option in the fourth or fifth round is Texas State's Craig Mager.

Mager totaled 160 combined tackles, eight tackles for a loss, two sacks, seven interceptions and 31 passes defended in his four years, all as a starter. He had 63 tackles, six tackles for a loss, two sacks, three interceptions and 10 passes defended in 2014.

NFL.com's Lance Zierlein describes Mager as a "[q]uick-twitch athlete with plus play strength and sudden change of direction." He says Mager is an "[e]xplosive leaper who climbs ladder and has timing to attack the ball at high-point," but describes his instincts as "average." He called him "[e]xcitable in man coverage," noting he "will become overly aggressive." 

Ultimately, Mager "plays with the aggressiveness and competitiveness that defensive coordinators will love." He also comes with punt-return skills, with 11 career returns for 202 yards and a touchdown and 10 returns for 123 yards in his senior year.

Given that Mager's weaknesses are coachable, he has considerable upside for the Steelers, especially given that he can contribute on special teams as a rookie.

Free Safety

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Safety is yet another position that is currently thin for the Steelers, especially when it comes to starters.

Though they do have a veteran free safety in Mike Mitchell, the impending release or retirement of strong safety Troy Polamalu may force the Steelers to move Mitchell to from free to strong safety, leaving a gap at that position that, even if it cannot be filled in the draft, will still require quality depth behind it.

Derron Smith, Fresno State

Fresno State free safety Derron Smith totaled 304 combined tackles over the course of his collegiate career, including 13.5 tackles for a loss, four sacks, 15 interceptions and 25 passes defended. He had 93 combined tackles, 2.5 tackles for a loss, an interception and seven passes defended in 2014.

CBS Sports' Rob Rang says that Smith has "[t]errific ball skills," as well as "[g]ood hand-eye coordination to pluck the ball and has good body control to contort in the air to adjust." He is an "[e]xplosive leaper who is surprisingly effective in jump-ball situations due to his athleticism and timing."

Though Rang is concerned that Smith is "[s]maller than preferred and too often plays to his size," leading to "just average strength for the pull-down tackle," his athleticism often shines through enough to make him an NFL-caliber coverage safety. Smith also has experience returning punts and kicks, something that could help get him on the field in his rookie season.

Damarious Randall, Arizona State

Arizona State's Damarious Randall played safety in college and could be a free safety in the NFL. His size, though, has some teams convinced he'd be better as a cornerback at the professional level. Given that he possesses the skills to do both, he may turn the Steelers' heads in the middle rounds simply because he could prove versatile enough to fill roster needs at two positions in the secondary.

Randall totaled 177 combined career tackles, 15 tackles for a loss, six interceptions (two returned for a touchdown) and 12 passes defended. He had 106 tackles in 2014, 9.5 tackles for a loss, three interceptions and nine passes defended.

NFL.com's Lance Zierlein says that Randall is a "[p]lus athlete with good speed," who "[s]enses throws underneath and breaks on them early." He is "[h]ighly competitive on 50/50 throws and won't give an inch to receiver" and he "[t]akes very good angles in space in run support."

Still, his size issues and his "average" instincts do not make him one of the draft's top safety prospects. The fact that he "has a nose for the ball and a strong desire to make an aggressive tackle in space," though, could make him an attractive choice for Pittsburgh if his size is not a concern for them.

Justin Cox, Mississippi State

Mississippi State's Justin Cox has considerable character concerns, including an arrest last November on trespassing and domestic violence charges that were later reduced to misdemeanor trespassing. That could have dropped him off of the Steelers' draft board entirely, or it could have pushed him to Round 6 or 7, where the Steelers may be more comfortable taking a chance on him.

In two seasons, Cox totaled 52 combined tackles, one tackle for a loss, two interceptions and seven passes defended. He had 21 tackles in 2014, one interception and four passes defended.

Though he's small for the safety position, Cox is fast and "[a]ble to line up over slot and cover in man," according to Zierlein. He also "[h]as closing burst on receiver after the throw," and his "[s]peed offers him ability to get to perimeter and chase down running back in space."

Beyond the character concerns, Cox "[l]acks instincts necessary to consistently make plays on the ball, relying simply on speed," and he needs to be a more physical player. The Steelers could regard him as a player they can develop and take a late-round flier on him simply because of their need at the position.

Strong Safety

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As noted when discussing the free safety position, the Steelers are also dealing with a lack of depth at strong safety.

It's possible that Shamarko Thomas could step up in place of Troy Polamalu, or Mike Mitchell could be moved from free to strong safety. If Mitchell does not move and if Thomas does not appear ready for full-time starting duty, the Steelers will either need to plumb the depths of their own roster or add one in the draft.

Jaquiski Tartt, Samford

Though Jaquiski Tartt has a small-school pedigree—mostly owing to the fact that he played basketball throughout much of high school, only transitioning to football in his senior year—CBS Sports' Rob Rang believes he "is an imposing defender whose size, aggression and heavy-hitting make him one of the more intimidating run-defending safeties of the 2015 draft."

Tartt has 20 career pass breakups and six interceptions, but he also spent much of his collegiate career as Samford's tackling leader.

He has "[g]ood overall athleticism, including body control to adjust in space to tip away passes and flashes the hand-eye coordination to make difficult interceptions," according to Rang, who describes him as a "[h]ighly aggressive defender, who attacks the line of scrimmage in run support and in defending the middle against crossing routes."

Though Tartt, "[d]oesn't possess ideal straight-line speed for single-high coverage duty in the NFL," his aggressive, hard-hitting style and ability to defend the run make him an ideal strong safety, especially for the Steelers. As Rang notes, his "[r]elatively short football career suggests that his best football may be ahead of him."

James Sample, Louisville

James Sample was initially with the University of Washington, however injuries forced him to transfer to junior college before landing with Louisville for one season. That one season, though, may be just enough to convince the Steelers to select him in this year's draft, potentially in a middle round.

There aren't a lot of safeties to go around this year, and the Steelers need both a strong and free safety. Round 6 or 7 may be too late to snag Sample.

Sample totaled 90 combined tackles, two tackles for a loss, four interceptions and eight passes defended in his year with the Cardinals. According to Patrick Karraker of Arch Authority, Sample "consistently [showed] a great ability to move all across the field and pursue the ball-carrier" and has "superior range and tackling skills," though his coverage skills could be better.

Given that weakness, strong safety may be a good spot for him to play in Pittsburgh. He is "very aggressive in pursuit," is "disciplined in taking angles, can quickly recognize if the ball-carrier is going to change their route," and most notably for the Steelers, he is "capable of contributing in the box as a blitzer."

Though he needs to work on his coverage technique and gain some weight, Sample does appear to have the skills the Steelers like to see in a strong safety.

Clayton Geathers, Central Florida

In a deeper safety class, Central Florida's Clayton Geathers would be much like Sample, in that he'd be a Day 3 prospect. But in this year's weak class, like Sample, he could go much sooner—and, like Sample, he could go to the Steelers.

Geathers has a career total of 383 combined tackles, 19 tackles for a loss, three interceptions, 30 passes defended and five forced fumbles. He totaled 97 tackles in 2014, as well as 6.5 tackles for a loss, an interception, nine passes defended and a forced fumble. 

David Syvertsen of Ourlads.com says that Geathers "is one of the most aggressive defenders in this class," and that he "relishes the role of enforcer and takes a lot of pride in altering the intentions of players that cross the middle of the field."

Like Sample, he needs improvement in coverage, but as a hard-hitting, in-the-box strong safety, Geathers checks off many of the boxes of a Steelers player.

Defensive End

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The Steelers need to find more depth at defensive end, though it's not out of the realm of possibility that they will seek one out early on in order to keep Cam Thomas off the field as much as possible in 2015. At the very least, they need to find one defensive end to develop for the future, given the disappointing play of Thomas and the departure of Brett Keisel.

Eddie Goldman, Florida State

Though a defensive tackle in college and apparently capable of being a nose tackle in an NFL 3-4 defense, Goldman can also play defensive end in the Steelers' scheme—much like the San Diego Chargers' Corey Liuget, as CBS Sports' Rob Rang points out in his scouting report of Goldman.

In three years at Florida State, Goldman totaled 62 combined tackles, 12 tackles for a loss and six sacks. In 2014, he had 35 tackles, eight tackles for a loss and four sacks.

Rang says that Goldman, "[l]ocates the ball quickly and does a nice job of latching onto ball-carriers as they attempt to run by, showing the reach and strength to pull them down or pop the ball out," something the Steelers would need him to do as a defensive end.

Though Goldman "isn't a consistent pass-rush threat," he would be a good run-stopping rotational player in Pittsburgh.

Henry Anderson, Stanford

Stanford's Henry Anderson is more of a pass-rusher than a run-stopper—or rather, he seems better suited for a pass-rushing role in the NFL. However, his 142 career combined tackles and 32 tackles for a loss make him a potential mid-round target for the Steelers. He also boasts 17 career sacks and had 66 tackles, 15 tackles for a loss and 8.5 sacks in 2014.

Rang says that Anderson "varies his pass-rush speeds and chops with hands to create space and slip into the backfield." He also notes that Anderson is "more flexible than he looks and uses his long arms to lasso ball-carriers." Anderson's versatility would provide the Steelers with much-needed depth on the defensive line.

Corey Crawford, Clemson

If the Steelers simply need young depth for their defensive line and don't expect to put any new faces on the field this year, then a later-round pick could be used on Clemson's Corey Crawford. Crawford has 124 combined career tackles including 25.5 tackles for a loss and six sacks. He had 25 combined tackles, seven tackles for a loss and two sacks in a relatively quiet 2014 season.

Scout.com's Jamie Newberg says that Crawford, "has a quick initial step off the line to get into the blocker and the strength needed to hold his ground at the point of attack and uses his hands effectively to shed," but he also struggled with consistency. He played a finesse game that didn't suit him in 2014, "unlike what he did the previous season, when he played with a valid mean streak."

As long as the Steelers see potential in Crawford's ability to focus on football and improve his technique, he'd be worth one of their Round 6 or 7 picks.

Tight End

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For at least one more year, the Steelers' primary tight end tandem will remain Heath Miller and Matt Spaeth. But one, or both, may not be around longer than the 2015 season.

The Steelers need to find at least one additional young tight end to groom to replace them in a year's time, which means giving the rookie playing time this season to get him ready. Tight end is a thin position in this year's draft, but there are gems to be had with a little digging.

Nick O'Leary, Florida State

Unlike Miller, who can catch the football as well as block, Florida State's Nick O'Leary is primarily a receiver. He has 114 career catches for 1,591 yards and 17 scores, with 48 catches for 618 yards and six scores in 2014. That's not to say he won't be able to learn the nuances of blocking in time, but his immediate usefulness will come from his ability to move the chains.

Rob Rang and Derek Stephens of CBS Sports say that O'Leary possesses "[g]reat hands," has "[n]o hesitation in traffic" and is a "[c]onsistent and reliable route-runner." Though a "willing blocker," he is "[l]ight-legged" and has "[l]imited strength as an inline blocker."

As such, Rang and Stephens could see O'Leary going as late as Round 4, viewing him as "more of a complementary threat than a future superstar." But if the Steelers can find themselves a blocker elsewhere, O'Leary's playmaking ability could prove intriguing, especially in such a high-value round.

Jesse James, Penn State

Penn State's Jesse James is one of the few tight ends in this year's draft class with a skill set similar to Heath Miller's, so it's possible he could become a higher priority to the team than O'Leary, though O'Leary is expected to be the better prospect.

James totaled 78 career catches for 1,005 yards and 11 touchdowns and had 38 catches for 396 yards and three scores in 2014. "Underutilized" by Penn State, according to CBS Sports' Dane Brugler, James has "soft hands" and "[m]akes the tough catch in traffic without fear." In addition, James "[k]eeps his feet chopping on contact as a blocker."

Ultimately, if James can prove to be a consistent player, "[h]e can effectively play on all three downs with many attributes that will be coveted by NFL evaluators." Everything James does seems to be right in line with what the Steelers ask of their tight ends.

Rory Anderson, South Carolina

South Carolina's Rory Anderson has a lengthy injury history, including a recurrent biceps tear that, in Rang's words, "left him essentially one-handed" in 2014, leading to just 22 catches for 260 yards and one score. Over four years, he totaled 61 catches for 954 yards and nine scores.

According to Rang, Anderson, "[u]nlike many other 'hybrid' tight end/receivers across the country, Anderson seems to enjoy the physical battles at the line of scrimmage, showing surprising strength and tenacity while blocking." He calls Anderson "a fluid athlete with the tenacity as a blocker to surprise as a moveable chess piece in a creative offense."

Still, the injury history is concerning, and he may "be seen by some clubs as a 'tweener who lacks the speed to function as an NFL wideout or the desired mass and strength to handle inline blocking duties." But Anderson has a great deal of versatility and upside that could draw the Steelers interest in a later round.

Change-of-Pace Running Back

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The Steelers already have their lead running back in Le'Veon Bell and a complementary power back in DeAngelo Williams. But there is just one player behind them on the depth chart, Josh Harris.

Further, the Steelers must prepare for at least one game, if not more, without Bell's services as he's expected to be suspended for a 2014 DUI. The Steelers need to find an adequate change-of-pace back for Williams and additional depth on the roster.

Ameer Abdullah, Nebraska

Small and shifty, Nebraska's Ameer Abdullah is also "[m]uch tougher than he looks and lowers his pads at the point of attack," according to CBS Sports' Dane Brugler and Brandon Thorn, who say he is a "[q]uick-thinking runner with natural ball-carrier instincts and an excellent sense of his surroundings to force poor angles with his multiple gears."

Abdullah totaled 813 career carries for 4,588 yards and 39 touchdowns while averaging 5.6 yards per carry and has 73 total catches for 690 yards and seven more scores. He rushed 264 times for 1,611 yards and 19 touchdowns in 2014, adding 269 yards and three scores on 22 receptions.

Though he's "[c]learly limited as a blocker and lack of length, size and strength are exposed when attempting to sustain or do much to stop blitzers," with a history of fumbles, Abdullah won't be asked to do the work of a three-down back in Pittsburgh. His unique skill set would fit right in with Bell and Williams.

David Johnson, Northern Iowa

Once a wide receiver, David Johnson converted to running back in college at Northern Iowa. As such, he has some of the most reliable hands among this year's draft class of running backs.

He had 866 career carries for 4,682 yards and 49 touchdowns along with 141 receptions for 1,734 yards and 14 scores. In 2014, he rushed 287 times for 1,553 yards and 17 scores and had 38 receptions totaling 536 yards and two touchdowns.

Though Johnson has "soft hands," according to Bleacher Report's Brent Sobleski, "he is also a competent blocker" based on his Senior Bowl performance. Johnson has impressive "overall speed and athleticism," enough to potentially make him a three-down running back in the NFL.

The Steelers won't need Johnson to take up that role, but to have a running back seated third on the depth chart who could do so, if needed, would be a great asset for them. In the meantime, he'll have a role to play during Bell's suspension to start the year and on third downs for the remainder of the season.

Terrence Magee, LSU

Any Steelers change-of-pace back is going to have to be comfortable spending the majority of games on the bench, which is something familiar to rotational LSU product Terrence Magee. That doesn't speak to his lack of talent, but rather to his particular skill set, one that doesn't translate to him being a three-down player.

Magee totaled 226 career carries, for 1,330 yards and 12 touchdowns, averaging 5.9 yards per carry. He also caught 24 passes for 227 yards. In 2014, Magee rushed 112 times for 571 and three touchdowns and caught 17 passes for 171 yards.

CBS Sports' Rob Rang says that Magee "is far from small, sporting a powerful frame that makes him very difficult for defenders to square up and tackle." Rang says he possesses "good lateral agility, balance and burst to elude would-be tacklers."

Though Magee has been "a rotational player throughout his career and projects as nothing more than this at the next level," that's exactly the role that the Steelers would need him to play in 2015 and beyond.

Slot Receiver

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Last year, the Steelers rarely used dedicated slot receiver Lance Moore, instead preferring running back Le'Veon Bell, receivers Antonio Brown and Markus Wheaton and tight end Heath Miller to attract most of those mid-field targets.

The same could be the case in 2015, but that doesn't mean the Steelers should ignore the position. With Moore gone, they need someone who can take those minimal snaps, especially on plays that require three or four wide receivers in the formation.

Jamison Crowder, Duke

CBS Sports states it simply and clearly about Duke's Jamison Crowder: "Crowder is an instant slot and special teams contributor for the team who invests a middle round pick on him."

Though described as "pint-sized" (he is 5'8" and 185 pounds), he "has the ball skills to secure receptions away from his body and create as a ball-carrier." Further, "[h]e does his best work in space where he shows up his change of direction skills with beautiful start/stop acceleration to make defenders miss in the open field."

Crowder totaled 283 receptions in his four years at Duke, totaling 3,641 yards and 23 touchdowns. He had 85 catches for 1,044 yards and six scores in 2014 and is also a kick and punt returner, with 65 punts returned for 869 yards and four scores and 44 kickoffs returned for 930 yards over the course of his collegiate career.

Crowder could certainly fit the Steelers' highly situational slot receiver position. His upside as a returner should also attract their attention—it's time to get Antonio Brown out of the punt-returning game.

Josh Harper, Fresno State

Fresno State's Josh Harper has an injury history that may push his draft stock down, including eight missed games in 2011 and 2012 due to a sports hernia, a foot problem and a hamstring injury. Still, that may not scare off the Steelers in the fourth or fifth round, simply because they won't be asking Harper to do that much as long as their 2014 offense stays mostly intact in the coming years.

Harper totaled 228 career catches for 2,938 yards and 29 scores, including 90 catches for 1,097 yards and seven touchdowns in 2014. CBS Sports' Dane Brugler and Rob Rang note that Harper, "was most effective with crossers and flat targets within a few yards of the line of scrimmage where he can create as a catch-and-go pass catcher." They call him "a fluid athlete who can make defenders miss."

Still, Harper's "slim frame," leads to a lack of power and "makes him unreliable in jump-ball situations and as a blocker." The limited role the Steelers would likely carve out for him could help minimize these weaknesses. 

Antwan Goodley, Baylor

CBS Sports' Bo Marchionte says Baylor's Antwan Goodley is "built like a brick," but don't let that fool you—he's a slot receiver in the NFL.

Marchionte goes on to say Goodley "is quick off the snap and is a quick-twitch receiver with naturally soft hands." He notes that he "possesses rare athleticism and knows how to use it to his advantage." Because he is so fast, "he is not going to get caught from behind," and he "has the toughness to catch the football really well in traffic," something necessary for a slot receiver.

Goodley totaled 150 receptions at Baylor, for 2,366 yards and 21 scores. He has 60 catches in 2014, for 830 yards and six touchdowns. He also has kick-return experience, with 45 returns totaling 1,037 yards, though he only returned a total of two kickoffs over the last two seasons.

Because Goodley "needs route refinement and better attention to detail," he sometimes "looks more like a running back than a receiver." He could certainly be given the time to develop into a reliable slot receiver in Pittsburgh, especially because he can contribute on special teams.