Steelers Draft Big Board: Final prospect rankings

The Steelers Big Board is a look at how I feel the Pittsburgh Steelers draft board should look at this point taking into account talent, scheme, team needs, and any other factors affecting draft placement. The majority of the players listed early will not be available for the team to select as long as they don’t trade up, but the Big Board reflects how I feel the team should rank the entire top tier of prospects.

1. Quinnen Williams, DT Alabama

Quinnen Williams is easily one of the top two prospects in this draft class. He posses a rare ability to pressure the quarterback from the interior without sacrificing any effectiveness against the run. Williams is the type of player that is dominant enough to be used in any defensive scheme and would immediately give the Steelers one of the best defensive lines in the league when paired with Cam Hayward and Stephon Tuitt.

2. Josh Allen, OLB Kentucky UP 1

Josh Allen has all of the measurables that scouts look for in top prospects. He’s long, athletic and fast. What sets him apart in this class however is his production. Any prospect with his measurables is going to get a look but 17 sacks in a season is incredible production. With 31 sacks in three seasons, Allen can clearly get to the quarterback, a premium skill in today’s NFL.

3. Nick Bosa, EDGE Ohio State UP 1

Nick Bosa is a fantastic NFL prospect, just like his brother Joey was a few years ago. He has all of the physical traits scouts look for and was productive in college, recording 17.5 sacks and 29 tackles for loss despite missing time due to injury and playing on a very deep defensive line at Ohio State. He doesn’t look like a perfect fit with Pittsburgh on paper but if the opportunity to select a player like Bosa arises you have to make the pick and find ways to use him.

4. Devin White, ILB LSU DOWN 2

Devin White is one of my favorite players in this class. He has everything that teams look for in a modern linebacker. He has good size, speed and instincts and the skills to play in coverage making him a three-down player. I would love to see him in Pittsburgh and he fits the team’s biggest area of need.

5. T.J. Hockenson, TE Iowa UP 14

T.J. Hockenson out of Iowa didn’t blow anyone away at the combine but still moved up 14 spots for me. That’s because Hockenson is a rare tight end coming out of the college ranks that is elite blocking in the run game without sacrificing any ability as a receiver. If he falls to number 20 it’s hard for me to see Pittsburgh looking past the opportunity to add a player of his caliber to an offense that lost it’s biggest weapon this offseason.

6. Ed Oliver, DT Houston UP 3

Ed Oliver is a tremendous athlete and will be a great chess piece for whichever defensive coordinator ends up with him. He is dropped by a lot of draft experts because he only recorded 3 sacks last season but 192 career tackles from a defensive line spot and 53 for a loss is plenty of production for a top ten pick when he possesses the physical tools, Oliver does.

7. Rashan Gary, DE Michigan DOWN 2

Another player who makes it into the top ten more because of upside due to incredible athleticism than because of polish as a football player is Rashan Gary out of Michigan. Gary is a guy that was a really good college player but could be an even better pro after he receives some of the top coaching that the NFL provides.

8. Montez Sweat, OLB Mississippi State UP 23

I am definitely not the only one moving Mississippi State edge rusher Montez Sweat up draft boards following an incredible combine performance. I likely had Sweat ranked to low before the combine and his workout reinforced that. He may need to refine some things but that will come with time. Right now he can impact a game with length and athleticism while he fills out his frame and works on his technique.

9. Devin Bush, ILB Michigan UP 1

The second inside linebacker on the board is Devin Bush out of Michigan. He plays fast and makes plays sideline to sideline just like Devin White. He falls lower on the list simply because he doesn’t have elite size. He is well put together which alleviates some of the concern but at only 5 feet 11 inches he doesn’t quite check all the boxes. Despite the concerns however, he is too good of a football player at the Steelers biggest position of need to rank him outside the top ten.

10. Dwayne Haskins, QB Ohio State UP 1

The Pittsburgh Steelers are clearly Ben Roethlisberger’s team at this point and he will be the starting quarterback as long as he wants and can play solid football. That being said the Steelers are clearly concerned about the future taking Mason Rudolph as a potential replacement in the third round. Dwayne Haskins plays with a similar style as Ben and looks the part as well.

11. Christian Wilkins, DT Clemson UP 5

The defensive line class this season is very good, which is why Christian Wilkins could end up being selected much later than his talent should warrant. He probably needs to get better at the point of attack but he is a good athlete and very disruptive up front.

12. Jawaan Taylor, OT Florida UP 6

Offensive line isn’t a huge need for the Steelers this offseason but if they see a good value they are unlikely to pass. Jawaan Taylor is likely not a left tackle in the NFL but he is powerful and nasty in the run game which could allow him to have a huge impact on the right side or the interior at the next level.

13. Deandre Baker, CB Georgia DOWN 7

The corners in this class have fallen off a little bit in the past few weeks. Deandre Baker didn’t have the showing he needed at the combine to ensure a spot at the top of the draft. He has great instincts which keep him at the top of the corner rankings in my opinion but there isn’t a player at the position that appears to be a lock to go early in the first round.

14. Noah Fant, TE Iowa UP 11

Noah Fant is the second Iowa tight end on this list but he is a much different player than his teammate, T.J. Hockenson. Fant is more athletic and is a matchup nightmare in the passing game. He isn’t even close to Hockenson as a blocker which is why he falls nine spots later on this list but he would be an option to replace some of the production the Steelers offense lost this offseason.

15. Jonah Williams, OL Alabama DOWN 7

The second offensive lineman on the list Jonah Williams’ stock suffers somewhat due to not being a true left tackle. He played on the left in college but isn’t necessarily the smooth pass blocker teams look for at that spot but is another physical player who could be projected to multiple different spots on the offensive line.

16. Kyler Murray, QB Oklahoma UP 2

Kyler Murray is a player I personally really like but I find it hard to rank him higher on this list due to the needs the Steelers have. On top of that, I seriously doubt the team would be willing to select a quarterback in the first round and risk rocking the boat after a season with a lot of unwanted drama. Murray also is a different kind of player than what the Steelers have at the position and have targeted in the draft.

17. Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, WR Oklahoma

“Hollywood” Brown is still my number one receiver in this class despite the workout numbers posted by D.K. Metcalf. Brown is a guy that may not be a number one receiver in the NFL due to his stature but he is quick and explosive and is the type of player that opens up the field and makes things easier for the people around him. He would have ranked much higher if I didn’t have concerns about his injury history and long term health.

18. Byron Murphy, CB Washington UP 6

Byron Murphy is a player that could be very polarizing in draft rooms. He was productive in college, has tremendous instincts and ball skills and is willing to step up against the run. The concerns are his lack of height and straight-line speed. He is a good athlete but may get burned occasionally because of his lack of closing speed.

19. Brian Burns, OLB Florida State DOWN 7

Brian Burns would be a very high upside pick in the middle of the first round. He has great length and athleticism, making him very effective bending the edge. I don’t know that he will have the instant impact of other players because he needs to get stronger, but he has the upside to be one of the best edge players in this class.

20. Andraez “Greedy” Williams, CB LSU DOWN 13

“Greedy” Williams isn’t the surefire top ten pick it looked like he would be at one point largely because of his lack of physicality. He is the best athlete of all the corners on this list and has fantastic length. Whichever team drafts him will have to find ways to cover him up against the run but he has the most potential to become a lockdown cover corner of any player in this draft.

21. Josh Jacobs, RB Alabama DOWN 2

Josh Jacobs is the best running back in this class. He is explosive, quick and a weapon in the passing game making him one of the few running backs worthy of a first-round selection. James Conner proved last season that he can be the lead back in the offense so the team likely won’t be looking for a back early but they could decide that the talent of Jacobs is worth it.

22. Cody Ford, OL Oklahoma DOWN 9

Another tough, powerful run blocker, Cody Ford was the best player on the best offensive line in college football last season. He likely isn’t a left tackle either but he is the type of guy that opens up plenty of holes in the run game wherever he lines up.

23. Dexter Lawrence, DT Clemson UP 1

Dexter Lawrence is someone with the size of an old school nose tackle but the athleticism to be a lot more than that. He is already a tremendous run stuffer up front and can eat up blocks with his size but he has the potential to impact the passing game as well. He is tough as well as having played through injuries quite a bit while at Clemson.

24. Jeffery Simmons, DT Mississippi State UP 8

Jeffery Simmons out of Mississippi State fell down draft boards after tearing his ACL while preparing for the draft. He could be the steal of the class if he returns to form, however. He is an incredible talent which makes him an option for a team willing to take a flyer in the back half of the first round if they feel comfortable with his progression in his recovery as well as some off the field concern.

25. Clelin Ferrell, OLB Clemson UP N/R

Omitting Clelin Ferrell from my first big board was probably a mistake. He isn’t the elite athlete that some of the other edge rushers in this class are but he plays hard, is solid against the run and was a very productive player in college. There is a possibility that he will need to play in a 4-3 scheme but I think he could be a productive player in a 3-4 like the Steelers run.

26. Andre Dillard, OT Washington State UP 4

The fourth offensive lineman to make this list, Andre Dillard is the first true left tackle. He is smooth in pass protection and should be driven up draft boards as a result. The Steelers really don’t need to add a player like him but if he’s the best player available it would be unwise to pass on him

27. Irv Smith Jr., TE Alabama UP 1

Irv Smith Jr. isn’t quite the blocker that T.J. Hockenson is and he isn’t quite the receiver that Noah Fant is but he is very capable at both. He is big and athletic with plenty of downfield speed to make him a huge issue for defenses. He is also a very capable blocker. While he doesn’t necessarily have the highest upside he is the type of player that could start for a team for ten plus years.

28. Rock Ya-Sin, CB Temple UP N/R

Rock Ya-Sin is another corner that has ideal size, speed and athleticism. He needs to improve his technique some but he has a ton of natural skill and instincts to go along with his physical traits. He is physical and more than willing to mix it up against the run as well. I wouldn’t be surprised at all to see him find his way into the first round.

29. D.K. Metcalf, WR Mississippi DOWN 3

I’m not nearly as high on Metcalf as the majority of people seem to be after his combine workout. I have concerns about his short area quickness, he was 27th among wideouts in the three-cone drill and 30th in the twenty-yard shuttle as well as concerns about drafting a player with a history of neck injuries. There is a good chance the Metcalf has a very good NFL career but I don’t see him as another Calvin Johnson just because of similar measurements.

30. Jachai Polite, OLB Florida DOWN 15

Jachai Polite is a really good athlete rushing the passer. He is lower on the list than others however because he doesn’t have elite length for his position 6 feet 2 inches tall with 32 5/8 inch arms. He could develop into a really good starter down the road but I also prefer guys who have the experience of being multiple-year starters in college.

31. Johnathan Abram, S Mississippi State UP N/R

Selecting Johnathan Abram would not make a ton of sense for the Steelers after selecting Terrell Edmunds in the first round last year. Free safety would make a little more sense. Abram, however, is the best safety in this class and makes this list because his talent is undeniable. He’s another player that could be looked at as the best player left on the board.

32. Riley Ridley, WR Georgia UP N/R

Riley Ridley, the younger brother of Atlanta’s Calvin Ridley, has a chance to sneak into the first round. He likely more of a second-round player because he doesn’t possess outstanding athleticism for a wide receiver. He is a player I like for the Steelers however because his route running talent and knack for getting open should allow him to be an NFL contributor right away.