The 2014 NFL Draft is almost here and the major media draftniks look like they’ve submitted their final mocks of the first round.
Below is an updated mock draft tracker featuring 15 major media draftniks as it relates to who they believe the Pittsburgh Steelers will be selecting in the first round.
| Draftnik | Site | Date | Pick | Analysis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rob Rang | CBS Sports | 5/8/2014 | MSU CB Darqueze Dennard | The once-proud Pittsburgh defense has fallen off in recent years and reinforcements are needed at all three levels. Given his polish, aggression and schematic fit, Dennard would make a lot of sense. |
| Dane Brugler | CBS Sports | 5/5/2014 | MSU CB Darqueze Dennard | The current cornerback talent in Pittsburgh isn’t going to scare any opposing offense and in a division with Josh Gordon and A.J. Green, a physical, aggressive cornerback like Dennard could change that. |
| Pat Kirwan | CBS Sports | 5/7/2014 | MSU CB Darqueze Dennard | Michigan State plays a very similar scheme to the Steelers, and this guy is very aggressive and a quality person. He starts from opening day. |
| Mel Kiper Jr. | ESPN | 5/8/2014 | MSU CB Darqueze Dennard | Dennard is precisely the player you might pick out of a lineup if you asked which guy in this draft would be a great fit in a Dick LeBeau defense. He can cover, is physical against the run, has great versatility, and will even come off the edge and succeed as a blitzer. I could see him going to either Detroit or Chicago, too. I wouldn’t put WR out of the question here, but the Steelers have done well targeting that position much later in recent years. |
| Todd McShay | ESPN | 5/8/2014 | Virginia Tech CB Kyle Fuller | Cornerback is one of the Steelers’ top needs, as they really need to get younger in the secondary. Fuller is a good fit because he is willing and capable in run support in addition to having exceptional ball skills and very good instincts. He isn’t a reach here, either, as he’s the No. 15-ranked player on our board. |
| Mike Mayock | NFL.com | 5/7/2014 | Virginia Tech CB Kyle Fuller | The Steelers could trade down, but if they don’t, Fuller is their guy. Ike Taylor is 34; Fuller can play inside or outside, press or off. |
| Daniel Jeremiah | NFL.com | 5/8/2014 | Virginia Tech CB Kyle Fuller | The Steelers would be bypassing several outstanding WRs in this scenario but they can circle back for a pass catcher in a later round. |
| Charles Davis | NFL.com | 5/6/2014 | LSU WR Odell Beckham Jr. | Could be a CB here, but Steelers “throw” Big Ben a speedy target. |
| Bucky Brooks | NFL.com | 5/1/2014 | LSU WR Odell Beckham Jr. | The Steelers need another playmaker on the perimeter to alleviate the pressure on Antonio Brown to carry the passing game. |
| Don Banks | Sports Illustrated CNN | 4/22/2014 | OSU CB Justin Gilbert | The Steelers could turn in the card for a receiver like LSU’s Odell Beckham Jr. or Southern Cal’s Marqise Lee, but that wouldn’t be very Pittsburgh-like. The Steelers usually find their receivers after the first round. I presume the run on defensive backs continues with Pittsburgh getting a prospect who could immediately upgrade the secondary, and lend a hand as a dangerous kick return man. Gilbert has strong ball skills and he plays physically enough to fit into coordinator Dick LeBeau’s scheme. |
| Nate Davis | USA Today | 5/7/2014 | LSU WR Odell Beckham Jr. | Antonio Brown needs a wingman who can make this offense more dangerous. Beckham, also a good return man, would be up to the challenge. |
| Greg A. Bedard | Sports Illustrated MMQB | 5/6/2014 | OSU CB Justin Gilbert | The AARP secondary needs some talented new blood. Gilbert is the top-rated corner at this spot. Don’t overthink it. |
| Peter King | Sports Illustrated MMQB | 5/6/2014 | Virginia Tech CB Kyle Fuller | The Steelers are desperate to rebuild their cornerback depth chart, and this four-year starter in the ACC is a good way to begin. He’s physical too, the kind of player Mike Tomlin demands in the defensive backfield. |
| Peter Schrager | Fox Sports | 5/8/2014 | Virginia Tech CB Kyle Fuller | Fuller’s rocketed up draft boards in recent weeks and could go as high as the top 15. A Virginia Tech standout, he’s got good NFL size and can make an impact right off the bat. Comes from an NFL family (brothers Vincent and Corey) and can contribute on special teams. Good fit for a cornerback group that could use some more depth. |
| Mike Florio | Pro Football Talk | 5/7/2014 | LSU WR Odell Beckham Jr. | Whether it’s Beckham or another receiver, the Steelers need to replace Mike Wallace, Emmanuel Sanders, and Jerricho Cotchery. They could be tempted by Eric Ebron in this spot. |
