No matter where the Steelers pick in the first round of the draft, general manager Kevin Colbert's refrain is the same each year. The Steelers will have that number of players they would gladly select at that spot when it comes time to make their selection.
So, if the Steelers are picking 20th, Colbert will have 20 players he feels are worthy of being that pick. If it's higher or lower than that, their board will reflect that.
This year, the Steelers are picking 24th. So, we went through the process of setting up 24 players the Steelers would gladly take based on both talent -- and just as importantly, need.
So, the board might not look like all of the other rankings you see out there because it's based not just on the talent of the player, but weighing his need within the organization, as well. Depth in the draft at the position also comes into play.
And some positions, such as true 4-3 defensive ends, just don't fit. That allows us to narrow things down, as well. Here's what we came up with:
Steelers 24
1. Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson
2. Zach Wilson, QB, BYU
3. Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State
4. Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State
5. Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida
6. Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon
7. Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech
8. Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern
9. Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech
10. Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama
11. Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State
12. Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina
13. Najee Harris, RB, Alabama
14. Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa
15. Javonte Williams, RB, North Carolina
16. Teven Jenkins, OT, Oklahoma State
17. Alijah Vera-Tucker, OL, USC
18. Trevon Moehrig, S, TCU
19. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame
20. Travis Eitienne, RB, Clemson
21. Dillon Radunz, OT, North Dakota State
22. Samuel Cosmi, OT, Texas
23. JaMarr Chase, WR, LSU
24. Creed Humphrey, C, Oklahoma
Obviously, this would not match up with most rankings you see. But, for example, you don't expect Chase, the top wide receiver in this draft, to fall to the Steelers at 24. But, if for some reason that happened to occur, the Steelers would have to consider taking him, despite their depth at the position.
It just might not come at the expense of filling one of those other needs.
This board will continue to solidify and change as free agency plays out, as well. We'll update the board as we get a little closer to the draft.
