6 2015 NFL Draft Picks Who Could Be Opening Game Starters for Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers aren't known for starting many of their rookies, particularly those on defense. This year could be different, though, with the Steelers featuring a number of roster vacancies that may require a rookie to step in and start in 2015.

Luckily for the Steelers, a number of talented players in this year's draft class could start in their first seasons in the NFL. Here are six players who have the potential to crack Pittsburgh's starting lineup in Week 1 as rookies.

CB Marcus Peters

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There is some debate about where Washington cornerback Marcus Peters may land in the draft.

While he is physically gifted and athletically talented, his one-game suspension last year that eventually gave way to a wholesale dismissal from the team has scared some teams away from considering him a Round 1 pick. As an NFC personnel executive said to NFL.com's Lance Zierlein: "I wouldn't take him inside the first two rounds. He's good, but he's not that good that I would be willing to deal with his emotional issues."

This view of Peters could prove to be in the Steelers' favor in the draft. The Steelers have a need at cornerback, given that Cortez Allen, Antwon Blake and William Gay are currently penciled in as starters. But the Steelers do not commonly select defensive backs in Round 1 of the draft—the last time they did so was in 2003, when they selected safety Troy Polamalu.

If Peters falls far enough into Round 2, the Steelers could continue this pattern while still finding a cornerback who is capable of starting in Week 1. Peters amassed 129 career combined tackles at Washington, 9.5 tackles for a loss, 11 interceptions and 27 passes defensed. In nine games played in 2014, he had 30 combined tackles, four tackles for a loss, three interceptions and seven passes defensed.

Zierlein says that Peters has "[p]rototype size for the position," "[c]ompetes hard out of press-man coverage and tries to intimidate receivers with his physicality," and "[c]an redirect talented receivers with his length and flat-out stuff receivers with marginal foot quickness and strength." The "[c]onfident and tough" Peters is "[a]t his best when contesting catches and often comes away the winner on 50/50 throws."

Still, "Peters has raw talent, but is far from a polished cornerback, and that is without taking the character concerns into consideration," and "[d]oesn't take coaching." The Steelers, though, may see a talented player who they can mold and shape. And given the state of the cornerbacks group, Peters could certainly push to start in Week 1, if not on the outside then in the slot.

It's just a matter of whether his potential rewards outweigh the already well-documented risks.

S Landon Collins

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After 12 years with the Pittsburgh Steelers, safety Troy Polamalu retired last week. Almost immediately, the Steelers moved to re-sign longtime reserve safety Will Allen. He does provide insurance, given the team's other options are Mike Mitchell, last year's free safety, and 2013 fourth-round draft pick Shamarko Thomas, who primarily worked on special teams in 2014. But at nearly 33 years old, Allen shouldn't be in the running to start this year.

Unfortunately for the Steelers, this year's draft class is not flush with starting-caliber safety talent. There is a safety, though, who could be within their reach in Round 1 and take the field with the starters come Week 1: Alabama's Landon Collins.

Collins is the draft's top safety and, as such, could be coveted by any number of teams that pick before the Steelers at No. 22. But it is also possible he falls, and if that occurs, the Steelers would be wise to call his name.

In three years at Alabama, Collins amassed 190 combined tackles, 8.5 tackles for a loss, five interceptions and 13 passes defensed. He had 103 tackles, 4.5 tackles for a loss, three interceptions and seven passes defensed in 2014.

CBS Sports' Dane Brugler and Rob Rang say that Collins is a "[f]orceful and reliable open-field tackler who often rips at the ball aggressively as he's taking opponents to the ground." Though "[f]luid in space and displays cornerback traits with his footwork, hips and transitional quickness to line up in man or zone coverage," Collins is "[a]t his best reading and reacting in the run game, attacking downhill like a physical missile with the technique and power to finish stops without hesitation."

Though Collins still needs to improve in coverage, his ability to play either free or strong safety could push him into the Steelers' opening-day lineup. At this point, he has more upside than Thomas and the advantage of youth over Allen.

OLB Randy Gregory

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Even with a failed drug test at the scouting combine and an admission of frequent marijuana use in college, Nebraska linebacker Randy Gregory still appears to be a Round 1 prospect. However, he just may not go as high in the round as he was projected to before the revelation about his off-field issues. This could be a boon for the Steelers, though, who need to add high-caliber pass-rushing talent to the roster this year.

In two years in college, Gregory totaled 120 combined tackles, 25.5 tackles for a loss and 17.5 sacks. He had 54 combined tackles, 8.5 tackles for a loss and seven sacks in 2014. 

At 6'5", 235 pounds, he is somewhat undersized, much like Steelers linebacker Jarvis Jones, but NFL.com's Lance Zierlein notes that Gregory is "[s]tronger than expected at point of attack," who is "[c]ompetitive and shows toughness against [the] run" and "[g]ets instant change of direction to hound quarterbacks in play-action."

Zierlein notes that "Gregory could stand to add more weight to his frame and needs plenty of technique work and a patient coach for his pass-rush skill to match his traits." But as one NFC scouting director said of Gregory, "He's super raw, but those physical tools are through the roof. That's why you pay coaches."

Given that the Steelers have only three experienced outside linebackers on the roster, should the Steelers take Gregory—or any pass-rusher—early in this year's draft, expect that player to get significant playing time as a rookie. Though Gregory may not technically get the starting snap in Week 1, expect him to be part of the Week 1 defensive rotation should the Steelers draft him.

OLB Eli Harold

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Pass-rushers are a deep group in this year's draft class, though it is of course top-heavy with the best prospects. Thus, it is possible that the Steelers could get a bona fide playmaker in Round 2 should Virginia's Eli Harold be among the edge-rushing talent that falls that far.

Harold totaled 141 career collegiate combined tackles, 36.5 tackles for a loss and 17.5 sacks. He had 54 combined tackles, 14.5 tackles for a loss and seven sacks in 2014 and started every game over his final two seasons.

CBS Sports' Dane Brugler says that Harold's "motor never quits, always going full-speed to the ball until the whistle." He possesses "[a]gile feet to sidestep blockers in space and terrific speed in pursuit to chase down ball-carriers" and "[d]oes a nice job resetting his eyes after his initial rush doesn't work, showing natural dip to turn the corner around the tackle without slowing down."

Meanwhile, Harold is a "[b]etter pass-rusher than run defender and needs to do a better job holding the edge" and "[w]ill get too far upfield at times and creates more ground to cover for himself." Brugler also notes that Harold "doesn't consistently marry his athleticism, power and technique together from snap-to-snap." Both of these criticisms, though, are about his technique, which is something an NFL coaching staff can help him improve.

Harold, should the Steelers draft him, will get the opportunity to improve those little things about his technique in live, in-game action. Much like Gregory, Harold may not get the actual first snap of the first game of the season, but he should play a significant number of downs come Week 1.

CB Kevin Johnson

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A number of cornerbacks should be within the Steelers' grasp, especially in the early rounds of the draft. Among them is Wake Forest's Kevin Johnson, who started 41 games in college without missing a single one due to injury.

Johnson totaled 189 combined tackles on his collegiate career, eight tackles for a loss, seven interceptions and 38 passes defensed. He had 44 tackles, 3.5 tackles for a loss, one interception and six passes defensed in 2014.

NFL.com's Lance Zierlein says that Johnson is "[v]ery natural in man coverage," "[d]isruptive in press coverage" and "[w]illing to drop [his] shoulder and lay lumber as zone defender." Not only can he "easily transition laterally and has quick-twitch to break on throws in front of him," but he also "[h]as athleticism and enough speed to recover when beaten."

Johnson needs to add some bulk, as his "[t]hin frame [is] a concern as an NFL run supporter." He also needs to rein in his penalties, given that he has been "[f]lagged nine times for 132 yards over the last two seasons" and had a targeting ejection last year.

Still, Johnson seems like one of the most NFL-ready cornerbacks in this draft class. Should he land in Pittsburgh, he'd be well-positioned to steal a boundary corner job away from Cortez Allen or Antwon Blake.

S Gerod Holliman

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Though the safety class is thin this year, that does not mean the Steelers cannot address the position, and successfully, outside of Round 1 or even Round 2. Louisville safety Gerod Holliman could be a mid-round pick for the team, or as high as Round 3, depending on how safety-needy other teams turn out to be.

In three seasons, Holliman totaled 60 combined tackles, four tackles for a loss, one sack, 14 interceptions and six passes defensed. He had 44 tackles, three tackles for a loss, one sack, 14 interceptions and three passes defensed in 2014.

Clearly a ball hawk, Holliman possesses "[g]ood hand-eye coordination and body control to make the tough interception," with "[l]oose hips to change directions fluidly and understands route progressions, aiding his jump on the ball," according to CBS Sports' Rob Rang. He "[l]ooks to deliver big hits when he senses that opponents aren't expecting it."

While Holliman "shows questionable angles and technique as a tackler," he also has "awareness, agility and hands" that could help him overcome his tackling issues quickly. Though a free safety by trade, Holliman could also work as a strong safety in Pittsburgh, given his predilection for making the big hit and ability to stop the run. This could easily get him on the field as a Week 1 starter.