For this article, I'm going to post his Steeler picks and what he wrote about the first round pick.
I'm also going to include my take on who he chose for the Steelers, as well as list other players that were available for that pick that are options for the Steelers.
For those who don't know or forgot, the Steelers traded away their 5th round pick (Brandon Boykin) and their 6th round pick (Josh Scobee).
Let's go.
Round 1: Taylor Decker - OT (Ohio State)
What Miller said:
"The 2016 offseason will be a telling one for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Does general manager Kevin Colbert finally address the secondary with an early pick, or does he continue to build the middle of the roster through the first rounds of the draft while focusing on the edges with middle- and late-round gems?With pick No. 25, it makes sense to add a cornerback or safety if the Steelers like the value, but the best player on the board is Ohio State’s Taylor Decker. That brings up an interesting decision, because Kelvin Beachum and Ramon Foster are both set to become free agents in March. Does Pittsburgh trust Alejandro Villanueva as its everyday left tackle?Decker is currently the third-best left tackle in the class, and he has the tools to slide right onto the roster as a left or right tackle for Week 1 and for the next five seasons."
To sum up Miller's main points:
1) Taylor Decker is a great value at pick 25.
2) Do the Steelers trust Villanueva?
Both of those are excellent points. The Steelers know they have to keep Ben healthy if this team wants to make a Super Bowl run, so it wouldn't surprise me if they went this route. They also have a history of investing highly in offensive lineman. The Steelers are a team that knows not to reach for needs and taking the best player available, so if Decker falls to the Steelers they will surely consider him.
I do think the Steelers trust Villy. He steadily improved over the course of the season and is a solid option for them. Decker would be an upgrade over him, but Villy would be able to hold his own if he ends of being the starter again. It's also a possibility that Beachum is resigned.
Other Players Available
Darian Thompson - S (Boise State)
My first round pick in my Steeler's mock. Would be a great first round pick, but if the Steelers have Decker higher on their board than Thompson, they'll have a lot of thinking to do.
Leonard Floyd - EDGE (Georgia)
Skinny guy, but a great pass rusher. I wouldn't bet on the Steelers taking him, but he's the higest rated edge rusher still available for the Steelers pick.
Round 2: Kendall Fuller - CB (Virginia Tech)
This is a pick I would certainly be happy with. Fuller would be a great investment to help out our secondary. Ideally he would be given the opportunity to battle with Cockrell/Blake for the #2 outside corner spot. How the Steelers feel about Cortez will play a huge role in us drafting a cb too. Currently on our roster we have Gay, Cockrell, Golson, Blake, Grant, Allen. Unless they plan on moving Grant to safety, not re-signing Blake (which I think they will) or cutting Allen, there isn't really room for another cb.
I don't expect the Steelers to go against their usual trends and draft a cb in the first round, so between the 2nd and 4th round will most likely be where the Steelers target somebody.
Other Players Available:
(Unfortunately the main players I'd want in the second round, Vonn Bell & Jordan Jenkins, are unavailable in Matt Millers mock)
Joshua Garnett - G (Stanford)
I'm sure Steeler fans would riot if we took two offensive lineman with the first two picks, but Garnett would be a fantastic pick in the second if he's available.
Jayron Kearse - S (Clemson)
At 6-5, Kearse is intriguing from a physical standpoint. We'll have to watch during the offseason to see if the Steelers show interest in him.
Nick Vannett - TE (Ohio State)
Vannett is sure to see his stock rise over time. He was criminally underused at Ohio State and shows a lot of upside as one of the most well-rounded te's in the draft.
Round 3: Keanu Neal - S (Florida)
I'm indifferent about this pick; in this spot there are many safety options for the Steelers. From what I've read Neal is more of an in-the-box safety than a coverage safety. My knowledge about Neal is limited, so there's not much I can say. Regardless though, safety is a huge need and must be addressed within the first 3 rounds.
Other Players Available
Karl Joseph - S (West Virginia) -
A human missile. Joseph is arguably a boom or bust player with his playing style, but I would love if the Steelers got him.
Jihad Ward - DE (Illinois)
Tomlin showed interest in Ward at the Senior Bowl. The Steeler's know they need DE depth, making Ward an option.
Justin Simmons - S (Boston College)
Not quite as dynamic as Joseph, but a very well-rounded player. Capable in both run support and pass coverage. Like with Joseph, i'd love if the Steelers took Simmons.
Round 4: Austin Hooper - TE (Stanford)
Hooper would be a great fit with the Steelers - a big tight end who can both catch and block. Similar to Jesse James, he would need time to develop as both a catcher and a blocker, and he does show upside in both areas. Considering he only has a year or two left, the Steelers have to draft Heaths replacement eventually, could it be Hooper? Is it James? Guess we have to wait and see.
Other Players Available
Maurice Canady - CB (Virginia)
Would be a good option if they haven't addressed the cb position at this point.
Denver Kirkland - G (Arkansas)
Kirkland would provide needed offensive line depth for the Steelers.
Kevin Byard - S (Middle Tenn. State)
Byard has interest in the Steelers (he grew up a Steelers fan), but its TBD if that interest is mutual. Byard showed his coverage ability and upside at the Senior Bowl and i'm sure he will be on the Steelers radar this draft season.
Round 7: Josh Forrest - LB (Kentucky)
Guys, this is a 7th round round pick in February. I don't have much to say here.
Recap & final thoughts:
Round 1: Taylor Decker - OT (Ohio State)
Round 2: Kendall Fuller - CB (Virginia Tech)
Round 3: Keanu Neal - S (Florida)
Round 4: Austin Hooper - TE (Stanford)
Round 7: Josh Forrest - LB (Kentucky)
Mock drafts at this point are made to reflect team needs and player value. Most likely this isn't exactly how the Steelers draft will go, but Miller's draft reflects the issues the Steelers need to address this offseason. This mock also helps fans like me get a better idea of where certain guys will be drafted. One of my fears for the draft is that the Steelers won't be in a position to draft an edge rusher this year, and that fear is reflected here because no edge rushers of value are available during any of the Steelers picks.
Hopefully the Steelers get more picks as well. We should get a 7th round compensatory pick for Brice McCain, and it wouldn't surprise me if the Steelers try and shop some of their players for some late round picks. I anticipate them trading Suisham for a late round pick, but if that happens its hard to tell if they do it early on or in training camp.
Overall, I'm a fan of Millers mock draft, a lot of the Steeler's needs are addressed. Regardless of who we end up drafting, we all hope our picks can have an impact during their rookie years and be components for a Super Bowl run.
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