Would the Pittsburgh Steelers defy logic and potentially draft a wide receiver with the 28th pick in the first round? Don’t count the possibility it out.
The Steelers, a team that fell to the Jacksonville Jaguars in the AFC Divisional Playoffs, 45-42, have needs at linebacker, the secondary and possibly running back. Wide receiver wouldn’t seem high on the list of priorities given the franchise has Antonio Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster on the roster. If one of the top pass catchers fell to the back part of the first round, would general manager Kevin Colbert pull the trigger on a surprise move?
“Alabama’s Calvin Ridley and SMU’s Courtland Sutton are considered to be the top wide receivers in this year’s draft,” writes Rick Walsh of pittsburgh.cbslocal.com. Neither are expected to be available when the Steelers draft but if for some reason they are, things could get interesting.
Someone like Christian Kirk of Texas A&M or Memphis’ Anthony Miller may also be on the Pittsburgh Steelers wish list. There is also some talk if Mason Rudolph, the quarterback from Oklahoma State is still on the board, he could be the target as Ben Roethlisberger’s future replacement.
The Denver Post’s most recent mock draft has the Steelers selecting Jaire Alexander, a cornerback from Louisville.
Rashaan Evans, the linebacker from Alabama, makes the most sense for the Pittsburgh Steelers and their immediate needs.
“Evans is about as close to ideal as the Steelers can expect. He’s a rangy inside backer with great burst.,” writes Curt Popejoy of Steelers Wire. “He an excellent interior rusher but athletic enough to lock up backs and tight ends in man coverage.”
If the team wants to plan for a future with running back Le’Veon Bell, Derrius Guice of LSU or Nick Chubb of Georgia may be on the team’s radar.