Ryan Lippert’s 7-Round Steelers Mock Draft

With the 2019 NFL Draft less than a week away, the picture is starting to get a little bit clearer. Teams have had their visits and players are being projected to their ideal teams. However, as we all know the draft is always due to give us several surprises. With that being said, here is my take on what I believe that Steelers should do next week. It may not (and probably won’t) be the way the go but this is how I would go about things if I were in charge.

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First Round (20): Devin Bush Jr. – LB, Michigan

I’ll admit I went back and changed my original pick here after doing a lot of thinking. This is mainly due to the fact that I think the board is changing with the picks before 20. With that being said, I believe it’s looking more likely that Bush falls to us at this spot. Bush would give us the athletic inside linebacker that the Steelers have been searching for since losing Shazier and would be the face of this defense for many years to come.

Also Considered: Byron Murphy (CB, Washington) , Deandre Baker (CB, Georgia), Noah Fant (TE, Iowa)

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Second Round (52): Taylor Rapp – S, Washington

After selecting a corner in the first round, the Steelers still have some issues to address in the secondary. Even after selecting Edmunds last year, they could still use another safety as the future of Sean Davis is uncertain. With that being said, why not draft Murphy’s college teammate, Taylor Rapp? Rapp is one of my top five safeties in this year’s draft and would be a steal if he fell to this selection. Rapp is a great coverage guy with the ability to come down and play man to man coverage on tight ends. He can also come down and support against the run. With two early selections, this young Steelers secondary could be very good for many years to come.

Also Considered: Deebo Samuel (WR, S Carolina), Chase Winovich (Edge, Michigan), Darnell Savage (S, Maryland)

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Third Round (66): Jace Sternberger – TE, Texas A&M

With the first two picks, I addressed the defense. With the early third-round pick acquired in the Antonio Brown trade, I have the Steelers getting another weapon for quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. After losing Jesse James in free agency, the Steelers will need another tight end to pair with Vance McDonald. Jace Sternberger would be the perfect replacement and potential upgrade. He is my fourth ranked tight end in this class and could possibly even go earlier in the draft. Sternberger is a huge threat in the passing game as he is one of the best route-running tight ends in this class and can be moved all over the formation. If taken here, I believe he could eventually become the Steelers’ full-time starter at the position.

Also Considered: Deionte Thompson (S, Alabama), Sean Bunting (CB, Central Michigan), Miles Boykin (WR, Notre Dame)

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Third Round (83): Riley Ridley – WR, Georgia

After the blockbuster trade that sent Antonio Brown to Oakland, the Steelers will need to address the wide receiver position. With four picks within the first three rounds, I see them taking a receiver with one of these picks. Riley Ridley would be a great fit at this pick. After seeing his brother shine as a rookie, I truly believe Riley could be even better. He is an outstanding route-runner and would give the Steelers some much needed depth at the position. I see him coming into the season as the WR3 behind Juju Smith-Schuster and James Washington with the possibility of working his way into the number two slot.

Also Considered: Vosean Joseph (LB, Florida), Damien Harris (RB, Alabama), Ben Banogu (Edge, TCU)

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Fourth Round (122): David Long – CB, Michigan

Going into this year’s draft, I strongly believe that corner is still a big need for the Steelers. With that being said, it could be addressed earlier. However, we have other needs that could make sense based on the type of prospects that could be available. At this spot in the draft, Long would be a great fit. He is a smaller corner but makes up for it with his aggression and was very tough to throw against while at Michigan. I see him coming in and providing depth, possibly seeing some time in the slot. I could also see him taking over a starting role on the outside eventually if he plays well enough.

Also Considered: Oshane Ximines (Edge, Old Dominion), Chuma Edoga (OT, USC), David Long (LB, West Virginia)

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Fifth Round (141): Tyler Roemer – OT, San Diego State

Following the departure of Marcus Gilbert in free agency, the Steelers will need to add some depth at the tackle position. They have some young tackles in Matt Feiler and Chukwuma Okorafor who both have the ability to slide into a starting role, so they may not need a starter in this year’s draft. However, depth will definitely be needed and Roemer can give just that. He is a nice sized tackle that will need to develop more at the next level but is a guy who could be a rotational player and possibly become a future starter if he improves his game.

Also Considered: David Sills (WR, West Virginia), Foster Moreau (TE, LSU), Bobby Okereke (LB, Stanford)

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Sixth Round (175): Antoine Wesley – WR, Texas Tech

With their first sixth round pick, acquired from last year’s Ryan Switzer trade, I have the Steelers adding another offensive weapon. The loss of a player like Antonio Brown will require more than just one player at the position to replace him. With that being said, I see the Steelers drafting two receivers in this year’s draft. Wesley is a big target (6’4″, 206 pounds) that would give the Steelers a great option as a deep threat and a key rotational receiver. I see him making the final roster and potentially working his way up the rotation as he performs to his potential.

Also Considered: Ben Burr-Kirven (LB, Washington), Derrick Baity (CB, Kentucky), Diontae Johnson (WR, Toledo)

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Sixth Round (192): Benny Snell Jr. – RB, Kentucky

As Le’Veon Bell’s departure is finally official, the Steelers need to add some depth at the running back position. After a solid first season as the starter, James Conner is their guy and back up Jaylen Samuels looks as though he will be used in the offense even more in his second season. With that being said, they will be looking for a true RB3 to maybe get a few carries a game. Coming from Lexington, KY, I might be a little biased here but Benny Snell Jr. is one of the most underrated players in this draft. He is a great downhill runner and would provide the Steelers with a great option as their third running back.

Also Considered: Mike Weber (RB, Ohio State), Garrett Brumfield (OG, LSU), Ross Pierchbacher (G/C, Alabama)

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Sixth Round (207): Justin Hollins – Edge, Oregon

A lot of Steelers fans will say that edge rusher is a bigger need than this. However, there are much bigger needs that I believe need to be addressed early. TJ Watt is a stud and Bud Dupree still has some potential left in him. With that being said, they just need to add some depth to the position instead of drafting a starter. Justin Hollins is a fast, athletic pass rusher who can also drop into coverage as an outside linebacker if needed. He can push for a spot on the final roster but will be a great practice squad guy to develop if he doesn’t make the cut.

Also Considered: Austin Bryant (Edge, Clemson), Ulysses Gilbert (LB, Akron), Travis Homer (RB, Miami)

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Seventh Round (219): Dontavius Russell – DT, Auburn

With their final selection in the 2019 NFL Draft, I have the Steelers adding more depth on the defensive side of the ball. The defensive interior is an area that the Steelers have struggled to find depth at. They have their key starter in Javon Hargrave but he could use someone behind him to give him some rest. Dontavius Russell could be just that guy as he would be a great pick at this spot. He can clog up gaps as a run stopper and could possibly challenge for a spot on the final roster during camp.

Also Considered: Jordan Scarlett (RB, Florida), CJ Conrad (TE, Kentucky), Cole Tracy (K, LSU) http://gty.im/1057840656


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