Ray Fittipaldo’s four-round Steelers mock draft: 3.7.17
March 7, 2017 8:53 AM
Gregory Payan/Associated Press
Missouri defensive end Charles Harris before participating in a drill at the NFL combine Sunday in Indianapolis.
The NFL combine is over, and general managers, scouts and coaches returned home to tackle free agency, which begins today with the legal tampering period. The combine gave NFL personnel a chance to get an up-close view at the prospects they’ll draft in April. The Steelers had a chance to see which college defensive ends have the athletic skills to transition to a 3-4 outside linebacker in their system. They also had a look at a very deep cornerback class that seems to have gained even more prestige among the experts post-combine.
Below is the first of my Steelers four-round mock drafts. Additions in free agency, performances at pro days and medical information that leaks out in the next few weeks can and will change draft boards.
The first edition has the Steelers going after the pass rusher they so desperately need.
Charles Harris (Jeff Roberson/Associated Press)
1. (No. 30 overall) OLB Charles Harris, Missouri – A defensive end at Missouri, Harris tested well at the combine and can play either 3-4 outside linebacker or 4-3 defensive end in the pros. He is a proven pass rusher with 18 career sacks, including nine in 2016. The question with Harris is his ability to set the edge in the running game. He didn’t do that consistently at Missouri. With James Harrison entrenched as the starter the Steelers can groom Harris as his replacement in 2017, and use his pass rush skills in situations where he can be successful.
Others considered: Haason Reddick of Temple and Carl Lawson of Auburn.
Adoree Jackson (Doug Benc/Associated Press)
2. (No. 62 overall) CB Adoree Jackson, USC – Is he a cornerback, a receiver, punt returner or kick returner? Who cares? He’s a tremendous athlete who will provide instant production on special teams. The Steelers can figure out where he fits full-time once he arrives. If he stays on defense, Jackson projects to slot corner because of his height (5-10). That fills a Steelers need because William Gay is likely on his way out, and they have no idea what they have in Senquez Golson, the undersized corner they drafted in 2015 who has missed his first two NFL seasons due to injuries. They can get Jackson in the mix and let him compete on defense, but they can also take advantage of his diverse skill set with a creative offensive package or two. Anyone who watched the Rose Bowl against Penn State could see his value on the offensive side of the ball. Use him in the red zone, on two-point conversion attempts, any way to take advantage of his unique abilities.
Others considered: CBs Cameron Sutton of Tennessee and Jourdan Lewis of Michigan.
Chris Godwin (Leon Halip/Getty Images)
3a. (No. 94 overall) WR Chris Godwin, Penn State – Godwin stood out in the Rose Bowl, too. He’s a big target and deep threat. He proved at the combine he could stretch defenses when he ran a 4.42 40-yard dash. Ben Roethlisberger needs a reliable No. 2 receiver for the final few years of his career. Godwin fits the mold of the type of receiver the Steelers like to nab in the middle rounds. With his speed he can be a legitimate deep threat that would help take pressure off Antonio Brown. If Martavis Bryant comes back and stays available, Godwin can compete for a role with the other receivers on the roster. If Bryant proves unreliable, Godwin would have the opportunity to earn that No. 2 receiver job as a rookie.
Others considered: WRs Ardarius Stewart of USC and Zay Jones of East Carolina
Justin Evans (Sam Craft/Associated Press)
3b. (compensatory pick No. 105 overall) S Justin Evans, Texas A&M – Mike Mitchell will turn 30 before the 2017 season begins, and the Steelers can groom Evans as his replacement. Evans is a playmaker and a hitter, which makes him an attractive prospect. While Mitchell has doled out his share of hard hits in three years as the starter at free safety, he only has four interceptions in three seasons with the Steelers. Evans had four interceptions as a senior with the Aggies. Mitchell is the unquestioned starter in 2017, but he has a cap hit of more than $8 million in each of the next two seasons. Mitchell’s play this season will determine if it makes business sense to keep in 2018. It will also give the Steelers a chance to see if Evans has what it takes to be a starter in 2018. In the short-term, he could be utilized in defensive packages that feature six defensive backs, provide some much-needed depth at safety and impact the special teams.
Others considered: RB Samaje Perine of Oklahoma and RB Wayne Gallman of Clemson
Nazair Jones (Rob Brown/Associated Press)
4. (No. 135 overall) DL Nazair Jones, North Carolina – Jones is a physical end who can play the run well and has the potential to improve at the next level. The Steelers can use some added depth along the defensive line, and coach John Mitchell likes developmental players in the middle and later rounds. L.T. Walton was a sixth-round pick in 2015 and came on late in the season when the Steelers were besieged by injuries. Mitchell can develop Jones in the same way. As last season proved – after Cam Heyward was lost for the season – you can never have enough depth on the defensive line. Jones isn’t much of a pass rusher, but he can be an effective rotational player early in his career and provide depth for a unit that can use it.
Others considered: RB James Conner of Pitt.
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source http://www.omnipopmag.com/2017/03/07/ray-fittipaldo039s-four-round-steelers-mock-draft-3-7-17/
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