Pittsburgh Steelers Mock Draft: Edge rusher and corner join defense

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.