Mock Draft: A new era for Pittsburgh

It was a strange 2018 season for the Steelers and it has probably been an even stranger off season. A team that many picked to be in the Super Bowl failed to even make the playoffs. They've now lost LeVeon Bell and Antonio Brown, arguably their two most important players on offense, Bell to free agency and Brown forcing his way out of Pittsburgh. But even with all the negativity surrounding the Steelers right now there is hope. A promising young duo of James Conner and Jaylen Samuels appear to be the answer to replacing Bell and JuJu Smith-Schuster will have to step up and be the number one wide receiver many expect he can be. Also, Pittsburgh has historically excelled at the draft, they always seem to find diamonds in the rough just like they did with Bell and Brown. This draft is extremely important for the Steelers since Ben Roethlisberger isn't getting any younger. They need to retool the offense and defense very quickly if they want to try and get another Super Bowl run before Ben retires. I'll be using Fanspeak's mock draft simulator once again.

Rd.1 #20 overall Devin Bush LB, Michigan

Looking back on all of the great Steeler teams, One of the main things that stand out is a tough, nasty and athletic linebacker in the middle of the defense. Jack Lambert, Joey Porter, and Ryan Shazier before he was injured. Devin Bush is that guy. Bush was in absolute terror at Michigan, racking up 66 tackles and 4.5 sacks in the 2018 season. His ability to run all over the field is the kind of thing this Steelers defense has been missing since Shazier went down. Bush going to the Steelers is a match made in heaven and I could even see the Steelers trading up to get him just to guarantee they land him. 

Rd.2 #40 overall JoeJuan Williams CB, Vanderbilt

Pittsburgh definitely needs some help in the secondary. Specifically, a corner back to play across the field from Joe Haden. Haden has been a great number one corner for Pittsburgh but after him there's not much there. Artie Burns has been an absolute disaster and might not be on the team when the team steps out on the field week one. Drafting JoeJuan Williams will upgrade Pittsburgh's pass defense significantly. He's a long, rangy press corner back that gives receivers nightmares when they have to go against him. He needs a little bit of coaching but if he's a day one starter on just about any team he's picked by.

Rd.3 #66 overall JJ Arcega-Whiteside WR, Stanford

It's going to be next to impossible to replace Antonio Brown's production but the Steelers have to do something. Like I mentioned in the opening, they do have JuJu Smith-Schuster who is a top 10 wide receiver and should be able to carry some of the load and they have signed Donte Moncrief from Jacksonville as well as still having guys like Ryan Switzer and James Washington. But as of right now, none of the guys besides Smith Schuster are good enough to be a number two wide receiver on a team. Arcega-Whiteside would add another big target for Ben to throw to and would give Pittsburgh an extremely dangerous red zone receiving core with JuJu, Moncrief and Arcega-Whiteside. He may not be overly explosive, but with guys like Smith-Schuster and Moncrief, who are speed guys you dont really need Arcega-Whiteside to be.

Rd.3 #83 overall Michael Deiter G, Wisconsin

This May not feel like an immediate need for Pittsburgh, but good teams draft not only for immediate needs, but upcoming ones as well. Ramon Foster has been a staple on the Steelers' offensive line for what feels like forever. But the truth of the matter is that he's 33 and an impending free agent. It may hurt to let him walk but with younger players needing to be paid soon there will be cap casualties. Michael Deiter can fill in for Foster. Deiter also has experience at center and can fill in for an often hurt Maurkice Pouncey.    

Rd.4 #122 overall Trysten Hill DT, UCF

Trysten Hill is the best of both worlds here. He not only can come right in and be a contributing member to a defensive rotation, but with proper coaching he should be able to eventually replace one of the older d-lineman and become a starting defensive tackle. Once again drafting for the future. Hill was arguably the best defensive player on a UCF team that went to the Fiesta bowl this season.  

Rd.5 #141 overall Shareef Miller EDGE, Penn State

Steelers have one more year of Bud Dupree before they have to decide whether to give him a new contract or let him walk next offseason. Currently, it would appear that they don't have a possible replacement for him so why not draft one right here in the fifth round. Shareef Miller is a sack artist who was a big contributor to a PSU defense that led the nation in sacks. Bringing Miller in will give Dupree some competition and either force him to raise his game and earn that next contract, or Miller proves that he's just as good and they can let Dupree go. 

Rd.6 #175 overall Marvell Tell III S, USC

I wrote about Tell III a little bit in my Cardinals mock draft but in short he's a pretty good cover safety and could immediately compete for the second saftey spot next to Terrell Edmonds since they recently released Morgan Burnett .

Rd.6 #192 overall Jimmy Moreland CB, James Madison

Another corner back to come in with JoeJuan Williams, Williams was a name a lot of people were talking about at the Senior Bowl earlier this offseason. He's a smaller corner but has great speed and good ball skills. Would be a great slot corner for Pittsburgh.  

Rd.6 #207 overall Terez Hall LB, Missouri

Terez Hall has a lot of upside but will need to boost his football IQ to get on the field more. He could be a good special teamer for Pittsburgh while they coach him up on the intricacies of the WILL linebacker position.

Rd.7 #219 overall Keelan Doss WR, UC Davis

Probably the exact opposite of Terez Hall, Doss has a very high football IQ but limited athletic ability. Not blazing fast but always finds a way to find and catch the football. Could start as a special teamer but can work his way up to a WR4 or WR3 type role.