The Steelers’ recent victory over the Bengals bumped them back in the current NFL Draft order. If the draft were held today, they’d hold the 19th overall pick, which is about where they’ve selected for
the past decade. Will they have enough ammunition to move up for one of the top-tier quarterbacks? Or will their plans change based on other positional needs, including playmakers on offense? Let’s take a look at some of the latest projections by NFL draft prognosticators:
Mike Renner – CBSSports.com
Pick 21: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
Delane has been the stingiest corner in college football this season. On 34 targets, he’s allowed only 13 catches for 167 yards with two picks and nine pass breakups. He’s an immediate upgrade from what the Steelers have.
Matt Miller – ESPN.com
Pick 19: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
The Steelers could flip a coin to decide whether to draft a quarterback or wide receiver, as both are of equal need. Quarterback would be the ideal pick, but the Steelers wouldn’t be in range for a starting-caliber prospect here and would likely add a veteran in free agency if Aaron Rodgers retires or doesn’t return. That leaves wide receiver, a position the Steelers have historically drafted very well. Trading for DK Metcalf gave Pittsburgh a true WR1, but the team now needs a WR2. At 6-3 and 195 pounds, Tate has the vertical ability to win over the top and make plays on 50-50 passes. More importantly, he has succeeded in the No. 2 role next to superstar sophomore Jeremiah Smith. Tate has seven touchdowns on 39 receptions this season.
Ryan Roberts – AtoZSports
Pick 21: Jordan Tyson, WR, Arizona State
Outside of DK Metcalf, the Steelers don’t have much in terms of consistent pass game weapons. Tyson would bring the downfield impact that this team needs more of. Whenever the quarterback is long-term, having a duo Metcalf and Tyson would be an attractive situation.
Keith Sanchez – TheDraftNetwork
Pick 21: Darian Mensah, QB, Duke
Because the Pittsburgh Steelers signed up for the one-year agreement with Aaron Rodgers, they will enter the offseason with a vacancy at the quarterback position. This puts them in a position to have to draft a quarterback. In this spot, the Steelers decide to draft Duke signal-caller Darian Mensah, a highly skilled thrower of the football who could be the future for Pittsburgh at the position.
I’m fully on board with the Steelers electing to take a skilled player over a quarterback in Round 1 for two reasons. The first being that I’m not sure how a rookie signal-caller succeeds in Pittsburgh with this current group of wideouts. Tate or Tyson would provide a big-bodied complement to DK Metcalf, allowing the passing game to open up on each level. I also think they are pigeonholing themselves a bit again — if they can’t trade up for someone like Dante Moore from Oregon, is it worth setting the franchise back again with a lottery pick?
Mensah has gained steamed lately within draft circles. He’s 6’3, and has a big arm, but I’m not sure he’d have Steelers fans dancing in the streets of the North Shore if he ultimately were the pick.
Plenty can change between now and then — but it appears the Steelers will have to do some moving and shaking if they want to secure the future of their franchise.
