Steelers getting serious about the draft: OLBs, DBs, even QBs



… have some decisions to make 

The final NFL draft decisions are on the mind of Steeler GM Kevin Colbert at this time with the selection slated to start on April 27 in Philadelphia.

The question is who they will take, and even more important, which positions are on their minds right now.

Major concerns

Conventional wisdom has the Steelers taking an outside linebacker first to improve the pass rush while then selecting a defensive back in the next round. Those would satisfy the most pressing needs on the defense, though they have some other areas of concern.

So, the team has been hosting some potential picks as part of their allotment of 30 pre-draft visits. One of the pass rushers who has really interested them in Takk McKinley of UCLA, who had ten sacks last year while playing for former Penn State defensive coordinator Tom Bradley, now with the Bruins.

McKinley is slated to be a first-round pick, but he has an issue. He had shoulder surgery in February, and that could mean that he would not be available for the start of camp in July, according to Joe Rutter, the Tribune-Review's Steeler beat reporter. Since the Steelers need help in that area right now, it could hurt his chances.

The Steelers pick number 30, and they believe that he will be available then. It could be a risk, but one that may be worth taking.

Defensive backs

They have also hosted two top DBs, Washington safety Bishard “Budda” Baker, North Carolina safety Joshua Jones, according to Rutter.

"Baker and Jones are considered among the best prospects at their respective positions. Baker is viewed as the No. 2 free safety on the draft board, and Jones is the No. 4 strong safety, according to CBSSports.com. Baker is a bit undersized at 5-foot-10, but is considered a first-round prospect. Jones, at 6-1, is viewed as a second-rounder," Rutter wrote.

Receivers

The Steelers have also looked at some promising receivers. One is Penn State's Chris Godwin, who is expected to be taken in the second round. Rutter notes that he is rated as the fifth-best receiver in the draft. If he is still around in the third round, the Steelers may have a shot at him.

QBs

One of the interesting visitors to Pittsburgh, in my estimation, was quarterback Patrick Mahomes of Texas A&M. I say that because some think that he is the best QB out there in this field and that the Cleveland Browns really want him.

So, knowing that the Steelers will not likely take a QB in the first round, why would he visit? Are they taking Ben Roethlisberger's retirement talk seriously?

QBs overall

Most analysts think that the top QB is Mitch Trubisky of North Carolina. He has many tools, but he is only 6-2.

DeShaun Watson of national champion Clemson is also near the top. Some think that he is right behind Trubisky and has an advantage because of his mobility.

That leaves Mahomes third. I find this interesting because he played in a shotgun during his time at Texas Tech. The Steelers do not use the spread offense. Second, his team was just 16-21 during his three years there, so that is a concern.

However, his numbers last year were impressive: 5,052 yards, 41 TDs, 10 INTs, 65.7 completion pct.

Since teams are still thinking of him as a first round pick, I just found it interesting that they are interested in him. I am thinking that QB may be a third round concern for them, though if a receiver is there, it could be fourth-round.

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