4 players Steelers are unlikely to take in NFL Draft after recent signings

Baron Browning, LB, Ohio State

For many of the reasons already mentioned, Ohio State’s Baron Browning also now seems unlikely to be the Steelers pick in the first round of the NFL Draft. Browning’s draft stock has been a rollercoaster all offseason. Originally, some thought of him as a third or fourth-round talent. However, a strong Senior Bowl week and a thoroughly impressive Pro Day would prove otherwise.

After testing as a 99.8 percentile athlete, according to his Relative Athletic Score, Browning instantly started to draw some first-round buzz, and the Steelers are a team that could have taken a shot on him. Pittsburgh’s brass both observed him at his Ohio State Pro Day and met with him virtually this offseason. The Steelers took an extremely athletic Ohio State linebacker in the first round in 2014 (Ryan Shazier), and it wouldn’t have shocked me to see them take a very athletic player from one of their favorite schools again this year.

However, the signing of Vince Williams may have Pittsburgh pumping the breaks on this. Though he could still be considered a very strong second-round candidate, it’s unlikely that he makes it back to pick 55 after testing as one of the best athletes we have ever seen at the position. Pittsburgh is going to look to address a bigger need in the first round and I just don’t see a very clear path that leads Baron Browning to the Steelers at this point in time.