Below we take a look at five options the Steelers should take a look at heading into the 2016 NFL Draft. Getting these players should help them get almost everything they need heading into the new season. For more on the NFL Draft, check out our mock drafts for the Ravens and Bengals, two of Pittsburgh’s biggest rivals.
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2016 NFL Draft Central: Pittsburgh Steelers
Round 1: Pick #1 (25th overall) – CB William Jackson III – Houston
NEEDS at CB: The Steelers had one of the best offenses last season. They also had a pretty competent front seven, but had plenty of holes in the secondary. The Steelers need some fresh talent in cornerback to keep opponents’ wide receivers at bay.
STRENGTHS: What better way for the Steelers to start the draft than by filling their hole at cornerback and getting William Jackson III with the 25th overall pick of the 2016 NFL Draft? Jackson is tall, fast and productive. He has experience in both man and zone coverage. He may need a little bit of experience to adjust to the pro game, but the ceiling is high for this cornerback prospect.
Round 2: Pick #2 (58th overall) – DT Vernon Butler – Louisiana Tech
NEEDS at DT: Aside from retooling the secondary, the Steelers also need some talent up front. There’s plenty of talent in the draft, especially at defensive line. After having used their first pick on a cornerback, the Steelers could round off their defense with a defensive tackle.
STRENGTHS: Vernon Butler fills that spot being a versatile defensive lineman. He can play in a number of different positions along the defensive front. Having such a versatile player could help open up plenty more options for the Steelers later on in the draft.
Round 3: Pick #3 (89th overall) – S Jeremy Cash – Duke
NEEDS at Safety: Like mentioned above, the Steelers need to fill plenty of holes in the secondary. William Jackson III is a solid pick as a cornerback. Getting a safety is also important to ensure that the Steelers solidify their secondary.
STRENGTHS: Jeremy Cash is a versatile safety who can line up close to the line in pass coverage and excels in run support. He has played cornerback, safety and has also been used as a hybrid linebacker. The skills are certainly there to help fill the Steelers’ needs. Cash picked up plenty of accolades to close out his college career. He was the team MVP, an AP All-America selection and the Atlantic Coast Conference Defensive Player of the Year.
Round 4: Pick #4 (123rd overall) – DE Quinton Jefferson – Maryland
NEEDS at DE: The Steelers defenses depended a lot on turnovers to be effective last season. They’ll need some stopping power up front if they are to come full circle this year.
STRENGTHS: Quinton Jefferson has been a quiet producer for Maryland. While he suffered a torn ACL in 2014, Jefferson had a very solid season as a junior in 2015. He’ll need so add some size in order to keep up with the pros, though.
Round 5: Pick #5 (220th overall) – QB Dak Prescott – Mississippi State
NEEDS at QB: The Steelers don’t need a franchise QB. They have Ben Roethlisberger after all. But they do need a solid backup should he get injured. Mike Vick and Landry Jones just didn’t cut it last season as the Steelers struggled to clinch a playoff spot.
STRENGTHS: Dak Prescott is an incredible prospect who goes through his receiver progressions as well as any quarterback in the draft. While he still has holes that need filling, he should be a dependable backup should the need arise. Prescott has a cannon for an arm and has legs to run for days, something that the Steelers could certainly take advantage of.
