2019 NFL Draft: 5 Teams with the most to gain
4. Pittsburgh Steelers
In 2017, the Steelers had the league’s best wide receiver and running back duo with Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell. Fast forward to 2019 and both players have left the franchise. Not having either of those players puts a ton of pressure of the Steelers. For all intents and purposes, the Steelers felt they didn’t need either player to succeed.
More from NFL Spin Zone
- Dallas Cowboys made the trade everyone else should have made
- Pittsburgh Steelers rookie sleeper everyone should be talking about
- Anthony Richardson putting jaw-dropping talent on display immediately
- Denver Broncos’ stud wide receiver might be out for a while
- Washington Commanders: Three takeaways from win over Ravens
One could argue they are right. Bell left for greener pastures (pun intended) after sitting out 2018, and now he’s a member of the Jets. In 2018, James Conner’s 13-game performance proved he’s a quality replacement. Brown was traded to the Oakland, but he wasn’t the team’s leading receiver last year; JuJu Smith-Schuster was.
The Steelers never did live up to the hype with Bell and Brown on the roster, Now they have an opportunity to start fresh with a youth movement. The 2019 NFL Draft has the players that can help them prove they didn’t make a mistake.
In the first round, they have an opportunity to get a legit tight end threat like T.J. Hockenson or Noah Fant. Finding a replacement for Ryan Shazier isn’t easy, but if one of Devin Bush or Devin White falls to them, that’s an easy decision for Pittsburgh.
Corner always seems like a need for the Steelers and this draft isn’t any different. They’ll have to rely on value if they pass on one in the first round. The same goes for edge rusher, where there’s a bit of a need as well.
Smith-Schuster dominated from the slot, but his workload will increase. To relieve some pressure, the Steelers can take a guy to play opposite James Washington on the outside. They brought in Donte Moncrief, but speed has always been a staple in their offense. A player like Marquise “Hollywood” Brown fits. Players like Emanuel Hall and Parris Campbell are also great fits at the Z and are Day 2 picks.
Having two third-round picks gives the Steelers some flexibility. They could package picks to move up or they can move down. Either way, they stand to gain a lot from the 2019 NFL Draft.