Report: Steelers Sought Rashaan Evans in Trade Before Drafting Terrell Edmunds

The Pittsburgh Steelers were reportedly hoping to trade up to draft Alabama linebacker Rashaan Evans, according to James C. Wexell of Steel City Insider.

Instead, the Tennessee Titans selected him at No. 22 after trading up three spots, while the Pittsburgh Steelers stayed pat at No. 28 and drafted Virginia Tech safety Terrell Edmunds.

The Steelers did pull the trigger on another trade, however, trading wide receiver Martavis Bryant to the Oakland Raiders for a third-round pick.

Linebacker is a major need for the Steelers, who have Vince Williams and Jon Bostic but lack quality depth at the position. While Ryan Shazier hopes to return to the field despite having spinal stabilization surgery in December—it was a good sign to see him walk on the stage to announce the Steelers first-round pick on Thursday—he's already been ruled out for the 2018 season.

The Steelers should be able to address the position on Friday if they so choose. Per B/R's Matt Miller, the top linebackers remaining on the board include Texas' Malik Jefferson, Ohio State's Jerome Baker, South Carolina State's Darius Leonard and Iowa's Josey Jewell, among others.

Edmunds, however, may be able to help with the team's need at linebacker, per Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com: 

But the reaction to the Edmunds selection was mixed: 

Surely, the Steelers will fully address linebacker at some point in this draft. The reports suggesting they wanted Evans are an indication that the position remains a priority for the team.