Well, another week, another mock draft, and since I have seemingly mocked every cliche Steelers pick, including Mack Wilson, DeAndre Baker, and Byron Murphy, so out of the box craziness does lie ahead for the sake of repetition. Last week, I went full blown crazy and gave the Steelers a TE....and not even the best TE in the draft at that. Regardless, I am trying to keep these rational still, so here it goes, a mock up to 20. 20. Pittsburgh Steelers — S Nasir Adderley, Delaware The Steelers are stuck here. Devin Bush is certainly an option, but he feels like a reach. WR is an option, but in this case, Antonio Brown is still on the team, and it does not make that much sense to waste all that draft capital there. DeAndre Baker and Amani Oruwariye are options as well, but Baker’s long speed deters the Steelers away and Oruwariye’s run support woes do not scream ‘Steelers CB!’. So, even if the Steelers selected a safety last year in Round 1, why not add that elusive third safety so we can undo the wrong of Morgan Burnett. Meet Nasir Adderley, who can play in the Nickel, at Strong Safety, at dimebacker, moneybacker, and even in his preferred spot, single-high. This guy has insane instincts, ball skills, and most importantly, an alpha male mentality that spreads to the rest of the defense. Nasir Adderley plays a ferocious temperament and it is awesome to watch. Dude wants all the smoke and is never afraid to lay the boom. pic.twitter.com/ohEL7rVteV — Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) February 3, 2019 Adderley has the instincts to be around the ball and make splash plays all the time. The play above is only a microcosm of what he does. He has an endless motor and with the versatility he possesses, is an incredibly alluring prospect to have on the team at the very least. Great interception by Nasir Adderley. Reads the trip side, but then transitions deep to pick off the quarterback pic.twitter.com/sdGZNK6bXs — Billy Marshall (@BillyM_91) January 18, 2019 I was not kidding about the range and ability to process and read the QB. He can simply see the field and make a big play on it. His ability to convert turnovers with his ball skills, though is the big game changer. Overall, not only would he add flexibility in the sub-packages, but this is a player who can produce turnovers.<doc-sep>Mock draft season is in full swing and we are here to bring it all to you. The 2019 NFL draft is going to be significant for the Pittsburgh Steelers because their window to win before a major rebuild is closing. Our friends over at Draft Wire has a new four-round mock draft out and we wanted to take a look at the Steelers’ picks. In the first round, it is pretty much chalk as they go with former Georgia cornerback Deandre Baker. Here’s what they had to say about the pick. Joe Haden has been a solid veteran presence for the Steelers, but there’s simply not another impact player on this roster at corner. Baker is a tough, instinctive player with a nose for the ball who could become an instant starter. No one would complain if Baker was the pick. But can we trust Pittsburgh to properly scout and pick a cornerback? Baker is a solid player but this isn’t a position I feel comfortable with the Steelers making their top draft priority. The rest of the draft goes largely as planned. In the second round, it is inside linebacker Tre Lamar, the third round is Alabama edge rusher Christian Miller and in the fourth round, the Steelers take Oklahoma running back Rodney Anderson. None of these picks stand out in any way but they all make sense from a Steelers’ point of view. Lamar is a big, physical linebacker who excels at stuffing the run. Miller is a high upside edge guy and Anderson if healthy can be a complete NFL back. Overall there is nothing remarkable about these picks. But avoiding safety and wide receiver completely is worrisome. None of these picks are terrible but for a team looking to win sooner rather than later, this draft lacks punch.<doc-sep>With the Super Bowl in the books and all eyes looking forward to the 2019 season, updated mock draft projections are beginning to emerge with the draft order now set for April. Each and every Wednesday for the next 11 weeks, we will bring you a selection of the latest mock draft projections from around the NFL draft community. So far, we have looked at 20 contrasting offerings from some of the more well-known names in the business, with two different defensive players standing out from the pack as the most popular names to project to the Pittsburgh Steelers in each of the last two weeks. This week we have found 10 more mock drafts worthy of review, a group that includes several multiple-round projections. Chad Reuter, NFL Network - WR, Marquise Brown, Oklahoma “If Antonio Brown ultimately does not return to the Steelers in 2019, “Hollywood” Brown’s similar skill set will be needed in Pittsburgh.” Round 2 - LB, Mack Wilson, Alabama - “Wilson’s a good find for the middle of the Steelers’ defense” Round 3 - CB, Iman Marshall, USC - “Coty Sensabaugh is ticketed for free agency and a rejuvenated Joe Haden is in the last year of his deal. It’s a good time to pick a corner.” (Previous pick - first mock) Matt Miller, Bleacher Report - CB, Greedy Williams, LSU “The first cornerback comes off the board at No. 20 overall, which might seem impossible, but the group of corners in this year’s class is not particularly strong at the top. Each of the cornerbacks being considered in Round 1 comes with concerns, which is why Greedy Williams is available here.” “A 6’3” cover man with excellent length, Williams has to prove at the NFL Scouting Combine that he can run with pro receivers. If he can do that, he’ll be off the board way earlier than this.” “The Steelers seem to have missed on Artie Burns in 2016 and still have a need for a starting outside cornerback. Williams’ size, instincts and ball skills are exactly what the team must add as it transitions in the secondary.” (Previous pick - LB, Tre Lamar, Clemon) Dane Brugler, The Athletic - CB, Byron Murphy, Washington “The Steelers have several question marks in the secondary and could use a young upgrade at cornerback. Murphy won’t be the biggest or fastest cornerback in this class, but he might be the toughest and most instinctive.” Round 2 - OLB, Oshane Ximines, Old Dominion - “The Steelers picked up Bud Dupree’s option for the 2019 season, but it would be a surprise if they don’t add young pass rush depth in the first few rounds.” (Previous pick - LB, Devin White, LSU) Tom Fornelli, CBS Sports - CB, Deandre Baker, Georgia “If Baker were a little faster I think he’d be a top-10 pick. He may only be 5-foot-11, but he’s long, and I love his makeup. He’s physical and not afraid to stick his face in places not all corners are willing to tread. Not a shutdown corner, but someone who could become a solid NFL starter.” (Previous pick - first mock) R.J. White, CBS Sports - CB, Byron Murphy, Washington “Murphy is a smart player capable of handling man-to-man or zone coverage, and his anticipation on routes should have him on the highlight reels often as he chases pick-sixes. Once teams get a good look at him, he could end up getting locked in to the top half of the first round. Pair him with Joe Haden and suddenly the Steelers have the talent to match up with any passing offense.” (Previous pick - first mock) Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports - CB, Deandre Baker, Georgia “The Steelers need to better the secondary. It’s that simple. Baker may not be the fastest corner in the class. And that’s fine. He has an argument as the most NFL ready. He can thrive in zone and stick with receivers in man.” (Previous pick - CB, Deandre Baker, Georgia) Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports - CB, Deandre Baker, Georgia “Baker may not be the athlete that Greedy Williams or Byron Murphy is, but he put up better college numbers. He shows good long speed, smooth hips, and the ability to change direction. He was rarely targeted during his senior season in part because his mirroring technique was superb. And with 2016 first-round pick Artie Burns getting benched for much of last season, finding his replacement will be a priority. ” (Previous pick - CB, Byron Murphy, Washington) Ben Standig, NBC Sports - LB, Devin Bush, Michigan “The inevitable Antonio Brown trade puts receiver into the equation, though the Steelers often find their pass catcher Day 2 or later.” “For now let’s stick with the clear needs. Edge rusher Bud Dupree has yet produce like a first-round pick and inside linebacker remains a focus in the wake of Ryan Shazier’s neck injury. Bush, the Big Ten DPOY offers three-down talent.” Round 2 - CB, Trayvon Mullen, Clemson - “Cornerback ranks among the primary concerns after Pittsburgh benched 2016 first-round pick Artie Burns during the season.” “Running back Le’Veon Bell’s situation could come into play on Day 2, though James Conner’s strong campaign may simply remove RB from the list altogether.” (Previous pick - first mock) Dan Kadar SB Nation - LB, Devin White, LSU “White is the draft’s top true linebacker, and the Steelers shouldn’t hesitate to pick him if he’s around at No. 20 overall. White would add a dimension of playmaking ability on the second level the Steelers lost when Ryan Shazier got injured.” Round 2 - QB, Will Grier, West Virginia - “Retirement talk has come up with Ben Roethlisberger the past two seasons, and the Steelers should find a successor to groom.” (Previous pick - CB, Byron Murphy, Washington) Joe Marino, Draft Network - CB, Byron Murphy, Washington “With Artie Burns continuing to get torched left and right and Joe Haden’s contract expiring after next season, Pittsburgh needs to get the cornerback position right in a hurry. Coverage blunders became the norm for Pittsburgh last season and it has to stop.” “Murphy is the best cornerback in the coming draft. He has lightning quick feet, fluid hips, explosive burst, ball skills and the overall coverage skills needed to become a lockdown guy in the NFL.” (Previous pick - CB, Byron Murphy, Washington) Cornerback Byron Murphy remains in the top spot as the most popular player to mock to the Steelers for a second week in a row, albeit in a tie with fellow cornerback Deandre Baker. Both are consensus top five players at their position and most experts have then coming off the boards in Round 1. We will add more mock drafts to our weekly roundup as they appear and we encourage you to let us know which experts you think we should be highlighting over the next 11 weeks.<doc-sep>
SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 30: Byron Murphy #1 of the Washington Huskies runs past Cole Fotheringham #89 of the Utah Utes to return an interception for a touchdown during the Pac 12 Championship game at Levi's Stadium on November 30, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) The Pittsburgh Steelers can add some talent to their defense while replacing lost gems in the 2019 NFL Draft. Round 1, Pick 20: Byron Murphy, CB, Washington Byron Murphy is a playmaker and he is the type of playmaker the Steelers need. They have a big need at corner with Artie Burns playing less than stellar and Joe Haden getting up there in age. Byron Murphy would be a typical Steelers pick. He is from a power five conference and is only a redshirt sophomore so he is young in age. Murphy would probably get the starting job opposite Joe Haden in 2019. Round 2, Pick 20: Kelvin Harmon, WR, NC State Harmon would make for a good possession receiver and he is tall. His biggest strength is his route running. I think Harmon could help give the Steelers depth on the outside, especially with Brown’s off the field issues and him potentially leaving. If Brown is traded, the Steelers will need to draft a wide receiver and Harmon would be good value in the second-round. Round 3, Pick 19: D’Andre Walker, OLB, Georgia This is a good year to draft outside linebackers for the Steelers and you know that they will want to upgrade the position. It is possible that the Steelers will want a successor in a year to Bud Dupree. D’Andre Walker is a guy that brings regular pressure and he will have good linebacker qualities. He seems like a good enough athlete to be able to drop into coverage and he seems to have good enough instincts against the run. I think he is a second round value but if he can be gotten in the third-round than that would be good value. Round 4, Pick 20: Ross Pierschbacher, C/G, Alabama Ross Pierschbacher comes from a top program at Alabama. There is definitely a need for this type of player as it is unlikely that both Ramon Foster and BJ Finney will both be back. It is likely that one of the two will be back and they will be the left guard. That means someone will have to take BJ Finney’s role as that top backup on the interior. Pierschbacher is position flexible as both a center and a guard. He is also a good pass blocker. He also brings the ability to pull as a center, something Maurkice Pouncey has prided himself on. Round 6, Pick 2: Otaro Alaka, ILB, Texas A&M The Steelers will need some depth at inside linebacker as LJ Fort is a free agent. Alaka would be a nice pickup because he is a good run defender, has good instincts and is a good open field tackler. The part of his game that worries me is that he is stiff in zone coverage. I would like to see him be able to cover better to replace LJ Fort. Otherwise, he is the best player available here. Round 6, Pick 19: Foster Moreau, TE, LSU The Steeler will likely need some depth help at tight end as both Jesse James and Xavier Grimble are free agents. I would guess that one of the two will be kept and so that leaves a need for a third tight end. The Steelers have shown interest in Moreau and he would not be a bad pickup in the sixth round. He is a guy who was more of a blocking tight end at LSU, but he showed some receiving skills in the senior bowl practices. Round 7, Pick 5: Dontavious Russell, DL, Auburn Russell was not the best defensive tackle for the Auburn Tigers, but he was quietly good next to Derrick Brown. I would say he could make for a nice 3-4 DE that could fill the role of a sixth defensive lineman. The Steelers backups on the defensive line are all free agents and so it looks like the Steelers will need to add depth at that position. Russell would be a nice find in the seventh round.