NFL Analyst Gil Brandt released his top-100 NFL prospects recently, and here is how the Steelers would fair assuming his projections hold up.
One of the most consistent elements of the draft season is Gil Brandt’s top 100 prospects coming out. The players he includes on this list have a high track record of going close to where he projects them.
While the occasional surprise does slip in, his track record with projections is impressive. It isn’t shocking to see him get 85 percent of the first round correct and can usually see 65-75 percent of his top players go in the top 100 picks.
The Steelers don’t always agree with Brandt
While Brandt’s track record as a draft analyst is impressive, the Steelers haven’t always agreed with where he has players ranked. Sometimes it ends up favoring the team, like when T.J. Watt was ranked in the
60s even though he went in the first round. Other times, Brandt is more on the money, like when Artie Burns was seen as a reach according to his list.
That said, his top-100 is usually accurate, as most of the players listed end up finding their way close to the spot he has them listed out. Thus, looking at his list, the Steelers could get a potential idea of what their first three picks could look like. With that all said, let’s take a look at the Steelers top three picks according to Brandt’s top 100 prospect rankings.
Steelers round 1
If things fall exactly as Brandt has in his rankings, the Steelers will be selecting versatile Michigan defensive back Daxton Hill in the first round of the draft, as he has him ranked as the 20th best prospect. Just by appearances, that actually makes sense, as the team needs a safety, and they sent a slew of scouts to Michigan for their Pro Day. If this team doesn’t select a quarterback, it seems like a defensive back would be next on the list.
Other notable names past pick twenty include Nakobe Dean (22nd overall), Jalen Pitre (24th overall), and Zion Johnson (29th overall). On top of this, a slew of receivers are there for the taking, including both Ohio State options and Jamison Williams. Just missing out are fan-favorite names like Jordan Davis (19th overall) and some of the other mid-first round linemen.
Interesting to note is that while Brandt has three quarterbacks listed in the top-32 of his rankings, the first one doesn’t appear until pick 25. In order, he has Malik Willis, Matt Corral, and Kenny Pickett ranked. While it is likely all three of those names are first-round picks, it would be shocking to not see them go far earlier than where Brandt has them. That said if the Steelers could get the quarterback they so obviously covet and not have to trade up would be a plus.
Overall, Brandt’s first-round rankings are pretty on par for what most people expect to happen. For the Steelers, landing a talented and versatile safety would be a fine first-round target, especially when you consider the needs of this team. The other names that, in theory, would be available would also make sense.
That being said, the quarterback order is extremely interesting. Seeing the top three ranked within five picks of each other, and all of them being viewed as late first-round picks, could be a benefit for the Steelers. While expecting the first quarterback to go off the board at pick 25 is unlikely, there is a possible chance that some of the top names fall down the board.
Steelers round 2
Following Brandt’s ranking to the spot, the Steelers would be picking Nebraska center Cam Jurgens in the second round. I’ll be transparent here, I haven’t watched a single second of Nebraska film, and the odds of the Steelers taking a center this early seems unlikely given the slew of other needs on this team.
What I would circle is the receiver position, as there are quite a few logical options that would make a lot of sense. In order, Brandt has ranked Alec Pierce, Danny Gray, Christian Watson, George Pickens, and Skyy Moore all between picks 61-67. The Steelers have expressed interest in all of these receivers to some extent, thus a likely second-round pick would come from this group.
Other notable names include Troy Anderson and Leo Chenal. Both linebackers are athletic freaks who excel at different things. Chenal is a classic run stuffer and blitzer through the gaps. He struggles in coverage though. Anderson is a jack-of-all-trades type of linebacker that lacks a defining trait in his game.
The notable names that the Steelers just missed out on are Chad Muma and Daniel Faalele. Both could potentially fill needs on the team and Faalele had some interest from the team at his pro day. Another important note is that there aren’t a lot of top defensive backs in this area according to Brandt. That would make a pick like Hill in the first that much more valuable.
All of this said, while taking a center here seems unlikely, drafting one of those receivers would make the most sense. Those names are literally a who’s-who of the Steelers pre-draft interest at receiver. Beyond that, there could be some intriguing linebacker names to target in the second round.
Steelers round 3
Once again following Brandt’s rankings, the Steelers would be double-dipping at safety in the third round and drafting Lewis Cine. Obviously, the team won’t be taking two safety types in the first three picks, but Cine’s name should be circled here. At one point in time, Cine was seen as a late first-round pick. While falling to the third may be aggressive, he would be a logical fit this late in the draft.
Cine has legitimate starting potential at strong safety. He has the size and coverage skills to hold his own on defense. The Steelers were heavily present at Georgia’s pro day as well. If he fell this far and the Steelers didn’t land a safety in the first, he would be a great pick here.
There aren’t a lot of names past 84th overall that makes a lot of sense. Tariq Woolen, the athletic marvel, is ranked just three spots away. Shifty slot receiver Calvin Austin and deep threat Tyquan Thornton are also available here. Another safety, Jaquan Brisker, also sees his name pop up this late in the third round.
Right before this third-round pick, you saw a slew of interior offensive linemen go. Again, with the team so heavily investing in the line in free agency, odds are they don’t use one of their first three picks on a lineman anyway. Also, this late is Desmond Ridder, a far cry from the first-round hype he is receiving right now.
If the Steelers could land Cine in the third, a receiver in the second, and one of those quarterbacks or other positions in the first, it would be quite the haul. Don’t mistake this as Brandt will be 100 percent correct in his predictions. That said, look at the names and rankings as an idea of roughly where a prospect will go.