Steelers Mock Draft: Targeting NFL Combine studs and defensive stars
By Andrew Falce
With the NFL Combine wrapped up, I wanted to take another stab at a Steelers mock draft. While my recent attempts have been centered around some trades, I wanted to go back to an ordinary style of mock with no moves.
I will be using some of the recent trends from the Steelers that I have noticed. From players they have met at the combine to positions they seem to be targeting, I wanted the focus of this mock to be on names the team seems interested in. As well, I want to focus on some of the Andy Weidl statistics I’ve found. With all that said, here is my updated mock draft for the Steelers.
. player. Bryan Bresee. 1. 432. . DE. Clemson
Steelers mock draft round 1: DE Bryan Bresee
People want a wide variety of positions in the first round, from the offensive line to a receiver to cornerback. That said, I truly believe the team will target a trench player, specifically an interior offensive lineman, or a defensive lineman. This is based on the fact that Weidl seems to focus on building teams from the inside out.
While this leaves a variety of options in the first, I think the best natural fit is Bryan Bresee. The former Clemson defensive lineman is a high-risk, high-reward prospect in this class, as he has flashed times of dominance and other times of ineffectiveness. Add in the lack of playing time due to missed time and Bresee has some real question marks.
If Bresee had been a more consistent presence on the field, he would be a slam-dunk top-ten pick. He has a rare combination of athleticism and size that makes him a natural fit as an end in this defense. He is an effective pass rusher and run plugger, and if he develops into the caliber of player he has shown to be in the past, he will likely be an elite player at the next level.
My only concerns with Bresee are his inconsistencies in school and his arm size. The arms aren’t a huge deal, although the Steelers tend to like longer arms than what Bresee has. The inconsistencies need to get solved quickly though. Bresee needs some work, but if everything comes together, he will be well worth the investment.