Three first-round options for the Pittsburgh Steelers

Rashaan Evans

We’ve already talked about the benefits of an inside linebacker, but how about a linebacker that could start right away. That would be the benefit in drafting Rashaan Evans. He would be the Steelers mack linebacker day one and the Steelers could have him for the future. He may not be there when the Steelers pick at 28 though.

Rashaan Evans does not have a lot of starting experience and that is the biggest knock against him. He played behind the likes of players like Reuben Foster at Alabama. It isn’t for a lack of talent as if he went to many other schools, he would have played much earlier. The fact that he went and competed at Alabama is a sign of a strength though. It shows that he is confident in his ability to compete for playing time.

He does possess the speed that you want in a linebacker. This helps him to stay in coverage as a mack linebacker and be able to cover ground from sideline to sideline. He has great instincts for a linebacker and that is a really important trait to have in a linebacker. He also has the athletic ability to change directions quickly. This is important to Evans ability to stop the run and stay with receivers.

Next: Strackbein's Steelers Mock Draft 2.0

Overall, Evan would be the best value pick of the three as he would be able to play right away whereas Leighton Vander Esch and Mason Rudolph would not. He also would be the safest pick of the three as he has the highest floor of the three players as a prospect.