4 dark-horse candidates to be Steelers pick in the first round of the draft

Azeez Ojulari #13 of the Georgia Bulldogs. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
Azeez Ojulari #13 of the Georgia Bulldogs. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
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Steelers
Micah Parsons #11 of the Penn State Nittany Lions. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State

If Micah Parsons falls this far in the draft, there might be a reason for it as character issues are a concern. Still, it’s not hard to see why the Steelers should be interested in the big, athletic linebacker out of Penn State.

Parsons would be an absolutely perfect fit next to Devin Bush as the ‘Buck’ linebacker in Pittsburgh’s defense. He thrives going downhill and making plays behind the line of scrimmage, but unlike Vince Williams, Parsons has very good coverage skills to go with his 6’3”, 240-pound frame.

Picking a linebacker this high would clearly be a luxury for the Steelers, and Parsons doesn’t come without some baggage. However, he has the talent to bump Pittsburgh’s defense up to a whole new level, and he would be hard to pass on.

The Steelers have some big needs that must be addressed this April, but these four players could tempt them to go in a different direction early. Perhaps they bite on one of them if at pick 24 this year.

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