Each 1st round selection I would have made for Steelers since 2013

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PITTSBURGH, PA – OCTOBER 02: Jarvis Jones #95 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs up field after intercepting a pass in the first quarter during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Heinz Field on October 2, 2016 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

2013

Steelers pick: Jarvis Jones

My pick: Tyler Eifert

The Steelers had no problem taking the Georgia outside linebacker with the 17th overall pick despite his atrocious athletic testing. Personally, I’m a bit more analytical.

Though Jarvis had eye-popping production his last two seasons in college, his film didn’t jump out at me, and many of his sacks and tackles for loss were the result of unblocked plays and the defensive scheme.

Georgia moved Jarvis around the formation and found him favorable matchups. This, I didn’t have a problem with, but when his testing proved to be dismal, I could no longer justify taking him in the first round. Sure, there are ‘outlier’ players – that is, players like Terrell Suggs who can be a great NFL player with poor athleticism – however, it is risky business taking a chance on a player like Jarvis Jones.

Instead, I would have went with tight end, Tyler Eifert. The Notre Dame product was a legitimate first round draft prospect. Thought the Steelers still had Heath Miller at the time, he was nearing the end of his career.

As you know, Eifert has been injured much of his career and has started just 32 games as a result. Still Eifert was at least a Pro Bowl player in 2015, and is still one of the better tight ends in the league when healthy.

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