Pittsburgh Steelers: Full 2016 Draft Guide and Preview

If you haven’t heard by now, the Pittsburgh Steelers need to upgrade their defense. With seven selections to work with, general manager Kevin Colbert will have plenty of options when the NFL draft begins on Thursday.

In recent years, the Steelers have put an emphasis on getting young talent into their lineup, and that will once again be the case with this year’s draft. Whether it is drafting a rookie starter like they did with Bud Dupree last year or simply selecting someone who can take a few snaps like Jesse James, the first-year talent will have a chance to make an impact.

The Steelers will have plenty of options when it comes to defenders with the No. 25 overall choice in the first round. They may add one of the top secondary players or look to upgrade their pass rush with another defensive lineman or linebacker.

Colbert could make a rare move and trade down in the draft to acquire more picks. No matter what happens, the Steelers will be infused with new talent that will help them on their quest for another championship.

Here is a complete guide with everything you need to know about the Steelers’ draft, including top needs, potential targets, the latest rumors and a full mock draft.

Draft Picks

Keith Srakocic/Associated Press

Draft picks

Round 1, pick No. 25 overall

Round 2, pick No. 58 overall

Round 3, pick No. 89 overall

Round 4, pick No. 123 overall

Round 6, pick No. 220 overall (compensatory)

Round 7, pick No. 229 overall (acquired via trade from the New York Giants)

Round 7, pick No. 246 overall

What to know

1. Kevin Colbert has traded his first-round selection three times since being hired by the Steelers in 2000, per ProSportsTransactions.com. He traded up for safety Troy Polamalu in 2003 and wide receiver Santonio Holmes in 2006. In 2001, he traded down for nose tackle Casey Hampton.

2. Since 2009, the Steelers have selected 29 players who were predraft visitors, per Simon A. Chester of Steelers Wire. Of note, the Steelers used 19 of 30 visits on defensive backs this year, but they have only spent two first-round picks on defensive backs in the past 20 years—cornerback Chad Scott in 1997 and Polamalu in 2003.

3. In nine drafts together, linebacker is the position of choice for Colbert and Mike Tomlin, per Chester. During this time, the Steelers have selected 15 linebackers—seven inside linebackers and eight outside linebackers. Cornerback finished second with 11 selections and wide receiver third with 10.

Top Needs

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1. Cornerback

The Steelers had the third-worst pass defense in 2015, allowing 271.9 yards per game. Although it is a reflection on the entire defense, the cornerback position proved to be an issue. William Gay, Ross Cockrell and Antwon Blake could not consistently shut down opposing receivers.

Pittsburgh does have second-year cornerback Senquez Golson returning to health, but they need a true No. 1 corner, which has been missing since Ike Taylor retired. Expect the Steelers to address this position early in the draft and add depth in the later rounds.

2. Safety

Mike Mitchell struggled in his first year after signing a five-year, $25 million deal with the Steelers in 2014. However, he bounced back last year and led the team with three interceptions.

Last season, the Steelers used a combination of players alongside Mitchell at safety including Will Allen and Robert Golden.

Golden figures to take on a bigger role with the defense in 2016, but the Steelers could use a talented prospect to groom into the starting role. This year’s draft is deep at safety, meaning Colbert could find a talented option anywhere between the first and third round.

3. Defensive Line

Last season, Cameron Heyward and Stephon Tuitt were workhorses on the defensive line.

Heyward played in 88 percent of the defensive snaps while Tuitt played in nearly 79 percent, according to Football Outsiders. That is a lot of wear and tear on two of Pittsburgh’s top defenders. The Steelers also lost their starting nose tackle Steve McLendon to free agency.

The Steelers are one player away from making a very good defensive line a great one. If the top defensive backs are off the board, a defensive lineman is a realistic option in the first. If not, Colbert can take advantage of the quality depth and find a prospect in the second or third round.

4. Outside Linebacker

James Harrison led all Steelers’ outside linebackers with five sacks in 2015. That is not enough production for a defense that depends on the position to pressure the quarterback.

Harrison, Arthur Moats, Bud Dupree and Jarvis Jones combined for 15 sacks last year. By comparison, starting defensive ends Heyward and Tuitt finished with a combined 13.5. Dupree figures to take a step forward in his second season, but the Steelers need a stud pass-rusher for the right side of the defense.

5. Offensive Line

After years of investing high draft picks into the offensive line, the Steelers now have one of the best front fives in the NFL. Part of the reason is the coaching of Mike Munchak. He worked wonders last year after losing starting center Maurkice Pouncey and left tackle Kelvin Beachum to injury.

The Steelers will enter the 2016 season with every position along the line except left tackle set. Incumbent Alejandro Villanueva will compete with newly signed Ryan Harris for the starting job. However, if a top left tackle falls in the draft, the Steelers will consider a third option to protect Ben Roethlisberger’s blind side.

Top Targets

Associated Press

William Jackson, CB, Houston

Here are the top two targets at each of the Steelers’ top five areas of need.

Cornerback

1. William Jackson, Houston: The perfect combination of size (6'0", 189 lbs) and speed (4.37-second 40-yard dash), Jackson has the talent to become a shutdown corner. He has terrific ball skills and finished the 2015 season with five interceptions and 23 passes defended. While the physical side of his game needs work, he could play as a third cornerback before developing into a top option.

2. Eli Apple, Ohio State: Apple is one of the most physically gifted cornerbacks in the draft. At 6’1” and 199 pounds, he has the size to cover big, physical receivers. In his two years as a starter, he finished with four interceptions and 22 pass breakups. He plays best in man coverage, so he will need to adjust to Pittsburgh’s zone scheme. He'll need time to develop, but he could become one of the best cornerbacks in this draft class.

Safety

1. Karl Joseph, West Virginia: Joseph is arguably the most talented safety in the draft, but he must prove he can overcome a torn ACL injury he suffered in 2015. When healthy, he was one of the nation's top defenders. Joseph performs well in coverage and has excellent ball skills. He's also an aggressive player who can play in the box. His competitive nature and leadership make him a perfect fit for Pittsburgh’s secondary.

2. Keanu Neal, Florida: Neal is a physical safety who plays an aggressive brand of football. He is a force against the run in the box, yet he's capable in coverage. He will need to harness his attacking style to avoid making mistakes, and once he does, he will become a dependable starter.

Defensive Line

1. Andrew Billings, Baylor: One of the strongest players in the draft, Billings will be a force in the middle of a defensive line. He can play the traditional nose tackle role and command a double-team to keep the linebackers clean, but he also uses his strength and quickness to burst through the line and pressure the quarterback. The Steelers could use him in the base defense as well as in sub packages.

2. A’Shawn Robinson, Alabama: At 6’4” and 307 pounds, Robinson has the size to play on the interior of Pittsburgh’s defensive line or join the rotation at defensive end. He plays with tremendous strength and is a force against the run. He must improve as a pass-rusher to contribute on passing downs. He would be a great addition to the defensive line.     

Outside Linebacker

1. Shaq Lawson, Clemson: Lawson is one of the top edge defenders in this year’s draft. He has the size to set the edge against the run, which is necessary for outside linebackers in the Steelers’ system. He is not a pure pass-rusher, though he has enough moves in his repertoire to get to the quarterback. He could contribute as a rush end in Pittsburgh’s sub package early on.

2. Noah Spence, Eastern Kentucky: After a productive college career, Spence is the best pass-rusher in the draft. He would join the rotation at right outside linebacker and provide the Steelers with a player capable of getting to the quarterback on passing downs. He still needs to refine his technique and improve his play against the run, but he's worth a look if the team can get by his character concerns.

Offensive Tackle

1. Jack Conklin, Michigan State: Conklin is a solid technician who worked his way up from preferred walk-on to scholarship player. He has the size and strength to play the left side, but his lack of athleticism may limit him to right tackle. He has excellent character, is very coachable and would provide the Steelers with quality depth if they don’t believe he is ready to start at left tackle.  

2. Taylor Decker, Ohio State: Decker has a huge frame and good strength. He has the natural athleticism to play on the left side, though he does have relatively short arms. The coaches will love his character and ability as a leader.

Latest Rumors

Stacy Revere/Getty Images

Karl Joseph, S, West Virginia

The Steelers are finally poised to address the needs in their secondary. Of the 30 prospects who came to Pittsburgh to visit with the team, 19 played cornerback or safety.

Even with one of the worst pass defenses in the league last season, Colbert has taken an optimistic approach, via Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

“The holes are in the eye of the beholder,” Colbert said. “In the secondary, in my eyes we have some good players back there. We have some good players in the secondary. We want to enhance it. We want to add more good players. … This draft will give us the opportunity at some point.”

Many draft experts believe the Steelers will add a cornerback in the first round to boost the talent in the secondary, but Charlie Campbell of WalterFootball.com mentioned another option. According to his sources, Pittsburgh is interested in safety Keanu Neal out of Florida.

The top cornerbacks on Pittsburgh’s draft board should still rank ahead of Neal, but his playing style is a good fit for the defense and is a possible option for the Steelers in the first round.

Another possible option is West Virginia safety Karl Joseph, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.

"

From what I've gathered, Steelers and Colts are among the teams that have done the most due diligence on Karl Joseph.

— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) April 22, 2016"

Matt Miller of Bleacher Report also reported Joseph as a possible option in the first round if he checks out medically. This would be a smart choice for the Steelers in the first round. They need playmakers in their secondary, and Joseph is probably the best option outside of William Jackson.

However, the Steelers may not feel comfortable selecting Neal or Joseph with the No. 25 overall selection. That may be why Colbert will consider trading down this year, according to Bouchette.

Fowler suggested Denver as a possible trade partner. By trading down, the Steelers could recover the selections that they lost when acquiring Josh Scobee and Brandon Boykin, yet still take advantage of the defensive depth in the draft.

7-Round Mock Draft

Scott Cunningham/Getty Images

William Jackson, CB, Houston

Here is a look at how the draft may go for the Steelers.

Round 1: William Jackson, CB, Houston: The Steelers front office and coaching staff were on hand to watch Jackson at his pro day. He has every quality desired in a top cornerback and will instantly help turn around Pittsburgh’s shaky secondary.  

Round 2: Shilique Calhoun, OLB, Michigan State: The Steelers are always in the market for pass-rushers, and Calhoun had 26.5 sacks over the last three years at Michigan State. As with all rookie outside linebackers in Pittsburgh’s system, he will have to refine his technique, but the potential is in place for him to develop into a good NFL player.

Round 3: Javon Hargrave, NT, South Carolina State: The days of Casey Hampton are over, but the Steelers still need a nose tackle to compete with Dan McCullers. Hargrave dominated at his level but will have to prove that he can replicate his performance against better competition.

Round 4: Justin Simmons, S, Boston College: Simmons is an underrated prospect at safety. He has good size and experience playing cornerback and safety. He will need to get stronger but can grow into his role slowly while contributing on special teams early in his career.

Round 6: Tyler Ervin, RB, San Jose State: The Steelers have a strong one-two punch with Le’Veon Bell and DeAngelo Williams. Ervin could come in and compete for the No. 3 spot on the depth chart. He lacks size but makes up for it with his play in space. He can also contribute in the return game.

Round 7: Brandon Shell, OL, South Carolina: Depth played an important role for the Steelers offensive line last year. Shell is a solid run-blocker with the ability to play right tackle or shift inside to guard.

Round 7: Brandon Williams, CB, Texas A&M: Williams has good size, but he only has one year of experience at cornerback. He is a developmental player who will get by on his athletic traits early in his career.

Note: Unless otherwise noted, all stats are courtesy of Sports-Reference.com, all combine results are courtesy of the NFL.com combine tracker and all roster information is courtesy of Steelers.com.  

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