NFL Draft: Who Is Next For The Pittsburgh Steelers?
By Larry Snyder
The Pittsburgh Steelers ended the mock draft speculation by going with outside linebacker Alvin “Bud” Dupree with the 22nd selection of the first round at the 2015 NFL Draft.
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The 6-foot-4, 269-pound defender from Kentucky impressed the scouts with a 4.56 40-yard dash and a 42-inch vertical jump.
It is the third consecutive season that general manager Kevin Colbert and head coach Mike Tomlin have sought help at linebacker. They chose Jarvis Jones from Georgia with the 17th overall pick in 2013 and Ryan Shazier from Ohio State at No. 15 in 2014.
Before the selection of Jones in 2013, the last linebacker taken by the Steelers in the first round was Lawrence Timmons from Florida State at No. 15 in 2007.
When it is time for the Black and Gold to go back on the clock this evening, they will have the 24th selection in the second round, 56th overall, and the 23rd pick of the third round, 87th overall.
The Steelers could go for secondary help in the second round, and, if so, I could see one of these players being selected, if they are still on the board.
Pittsburgh Steelers
For help at cornerback, it could come down to Eric Rowe from Utah, Steven Nelson from Oregon State or Alex Carter from Stanford.
My Pick: Nelson of the Oregon State Beavers.
If the choice is safety, Landon Collins from Alabama and Gerod Holliman from Louisville were still on the board after the first round.
My Pick: Holliman of the Louisville Cardinals.
On the other hand, there has been talk that the Steelers might seek offensive help with the third pick. Someone to groom behind Heath Miller at tight end might be in order. The players who could be available include Wes Saxton from South Alabama, Clive Walford from Miami, or Jeff Heuerman from Ohio State.
My Pick: Saxton of the South Alabama Jaguars.
Let me know your thoughts about the selection of Dupree in the first round and who the Steelers might choose in the second and thrid rounds in the comments section below.
From The Clipboard: The Cleveland Browns chose Washington defensive tackle Danny Shelton with the 12th pick of the first round and went with Florida State center Cameron Erving at No. 19…The Cincinnati Bengals, choosing one spot ahead of the Steelers at No. 21, opted for Texas A&M offensive tackle Cedric Ogbuehi…The Baltimore Ravens added to their offense by selecting University of Central Florida wide receiver Breshad Perriman with the 26th pick overall…All four of the AFC North teams held their ground in the first round and did not trade up or down…It should also be noted that none of the AFC North squads decided to go with a defensive back in the first round.
Next: Bud Dupree is taken with 22nd pick by the Steelers