Pittsburgh Steelers: 5 First-round targets in 2018 NFL Draft

The Pittsburgh Steelers currently hold the 28th overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. Who should the Steelers aim to take late in the first round?

The Pittsburgh Steelers find themselves picking in the late portion in first round of the 2018 NFL Draft, a place they’ve grown accustomed to with recent playoff success. Kevin Colbert, general manager of the Steelers since 2010, is widely regarded as one of the best in his position around the league.

Colbert has a strong history when it comes to evaluating players and drafting them, as players in the likes of Antonio Brown, David DeCastro, Cameron Heyward and Ryan Shazier headline a long list of successful players to be drafted in black and gold. Colbert’s track record may also tip his hat in where the team may be going in this year’s first round: Defense. Out of the eight draft classes Colbert has managed, six of his first round picks have been on the defensive side of the ball (DeCastro, Pouncey being the two exceptions).

With Pittsburgh historically placing a heavy importance on linebackers, Colbert has attempted to follow suit. The last 4-of-5 first round picks by the Steelers have been at the linebacker position, with some success (Watt, Shazier) and some busts along the way (Jones, Dupree). Perhaps another sign of where Colbert may lean when the Steelers are on the clock? It’s feasible.

Luckily for Pittsburgh, this draft class is loaded with defensive talent in the early rounds should they choose to continue the youth movement on defense. However, offensive weapons are not entirely out of the question at the end of round one. If Pittsburgh falls in love with a potential replacement for Martavis Bryant, or a dynamic tight end to complete Roethlisberger’s arsenal, they won’t hesitate to pull the trigger.

Here are five first round-targets for the Steelers in the 2018 NFL Draft: