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Unclear on Steelers' draft plans? These guys may clear things up

Jerry DiPaola
| Tuesday, April 23, 2019 3:03 p.m.
AP
Temple defensive back Rock Ya-Sin runs a drill at the NFL Scouting Combine on Monday, March 4, 2019, in Indianapolis.

Listen closely, and you might think there are as many opinions on what the Pittsburgh Steelers should do with the 20th pick in the NFL Draft as there are seats at Heinz Field.

OK, that’s an exaggeration. But many fans have a thought on what the Steelers should do starting Thursday to improve a roster that was just bad enough to miss the playoffs last season. Inside linebacker? Cornerback? Wide receiver? Trade up? Trade down?

Here’s a better idea: What do the people who follow the NFL for a living think?

Joe Rutter, Trib Total Media: Michigan ILB Devin Bush

The Steelers likely must consummate a trade to make this happen, unless Bush falls further than anticipated. Bush, who is said to have the tackling instincts of an NFL veteran, can fill the void on the Steelers defense created by the injury to Ryan Shazier. He recorded 19 tackles for a loss, including 10 sacks, in three seasons at Michigan.

Peter King, NBC Sports: Temple CB Rock Ya-Sin

Albert Breer, Sports Illustrated: Temple CB Rock Ya-Sin

Unless you’re a disgruntled fan of the Presbyterian (S.C.) College Blue Hose, you might not know much about Ya-Sin. He transferred from Presbyterian of the FCS Big South Conference to Temple, where he used his size (6-foot, 190 pounds) to record two interceptions and 12 pass breakups last season. Mike Tomlin likes big corners.

Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN: Washington CB Byron Murphy

If you stayed awake long enough on Saturday nights in the fall to watch the late Pac-12 game, you probably heard plenty about Murphy, who had seven interceptions the past two seasons for Washington. Many people believe he’s the best cornerback in the draft, and he surely fills a Steelers need (just like everyone thought Artie Burns would do in 2016).

Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: LSU CB Greedy Williams

Jenny Vrentas, Sports Illustrated: LSU CB Greedy Williams

Cornerbacks don’t grow on trees at LSU, but it is a fertile breeding ground for the position. Williams, 6-3, 185, is said to have a problem with sticking his nose in the run game (translation: he isn’t a fan of tackling), but the man can cover like few others in this draft. He had eight interceptions in two seasons.

Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com: Kentucky CB Lonnie Johnson Jr.

Pick up Athlon Sports magazine’s draft preview, and there are 15 cornerbacks ranked ahead of the 6-2, 210-pound Johnson. He is a junior college transfer from Garden City (Kan.) Community College who had to sit out the 2016 season to concentrate on academics. Who knows? The Steelers might like him much more than Athlon does.

R.J. White, CBS Sports: Iowa TE Noah Fant

Perhaps the Steelers are so uncomfortable with the depth behind Vance McDonald that they don’t mind using the 20th overall pick on a guy who wasn’t even the best tight end on his team. But Fant, 6-4, 235, and teammate T.J. Hockenson are considered first- or second-round picks by most draft analysts. Fant scored 19 touchdowns in three seasons for the Hawkeyes.


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