4 realistic first-round picks for Steelers before the NFL Combine

With the NFL combine upon us, here is an updated look at the four most realistic first-round options for the Steelers in the draft.

The NFL combine marks the second big shift in draft boards as players athletically improve upon or worsen their stock from bowl games. We have already witnessed quite a few big names move up and down, and the combine will yield a flurry of other draft shifts.

For the Steelers, their potential picks in the first round have changed since the beginning of the offseason. Using the Draft Networks big board, here are the team’s four most likely first-round picks ahead of the combine.

Steelers may draft Cross

While the Steelers aren’t known for prioritizing offensive tackle in the draft, if a player like Charles Cross fell to them, he would almost be a no-brainer selection. He has essentially everything you want in a mid-round tackle: the size to dominant, the athleticism to allow him to fit a modern offense, and he is young enough to continue developing as a professional. He would be a great pick and an instant starter with sky-high potential.

To be honest, I think Cross creeps his way into the top ten by the time the combine wraps up. All of those traits outlined above will be on display in Indianapolis and teams will surely take notice. He is the 15th best overall player on the big board (which was my cutoff for players to make this list, sorry to you Tyler Linderbaum/Kenyon Green fans as both were top 12 names), but I don’t expect him to stay there. That said, if he makes it to pick 20, the Steelers should be running to turn their draft card in.