A couple of weeks ago, I posted my initial look at the 20 players from which I believed the Steelers' first-round draft pick would come.
As I explained then, pick at 20 in the first round, the Steelers will come up with a list of 20 players they would be more than happy to select with the 20th pick in the draft.
Two weeks later, that list has changed -- slightly -- with the re-signing of safety Terrell Edmunds on Friday to a one-year deal.
That one-year deal doesn't change the team's need for a safety. In fact, if anything it shows you that the Steelers are intent on selecting a safety in this draft. Otherwise, they would have signed Edmunds for multiple seasons.
But adding Edmunds does lessen the need to select a true strong safety early. And it opens the door for the team to address some other needs.
So, that causes me to adjust my initial list of 20 players from which the Steelers will likely select their first pick.
Lolley's Top 20
1. Evan Neal, OT, Alabama -- No change here. Neal is my top-rated offensive tackle.
2. Ikem Ekwonu, OT, NC State -- Ekwonu isn't far behind Neal, but he doesn't have Neal's overall length. But he's nasty.
3. Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner, CB, Cincinnati -- I think Gardner is the most talented player in this draft. Corners with his length, speed and talent don't come along often.
4. Aidan Hutchinson, Edge, Michigan -- Sure, the Steelers would take Hutchinson if he fell.
5. Travon Walker, Edge, Georgia -- Same thing with Walker.
6. Kayvon Thibodeaux, Edge, Oregon -- Again, edge rusher isn't a glaring need, but you take the layup when it is given to you.
7. Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State -- Cross is more of a left tackle, but that would work, too.
8. Derek Stingley, CB, LSU -- Stingley is talented. But he hasn't necessarily shown it the past couple of seasons.
9. Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame -- A game-changing safety would be a no-brainer, despite bringing Edmunds back.
10. Malik Willis, QB, Liberty -- If the Steelers had their druthers, they'd add Willis and allow him to learn behind Mitch Trubisky.
11. Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State -- I'm bumping Wilson up my list. He'd be a nice addition.
12. Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama -- If Williams was healthy, he'd be my top receiver. As it is, he should return sometime in October or November. A real game-changer.
13. Kenny Pickett, QB, Pitt -- Pickett didn't make my initial list. But as I reported at the Senior Bowl, if he is available at 20, the Steelers would be comfortable taking him -- if the players ahead of him are gone.
14. Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia -- Davis isn't the slam dunk some fans seem to think. Yes he runs fast straight ahead. Changing directions? Not so much. And he's not a pure power player. But he'd be a welcome addition.
15. Daxton Hill, S, Michigan -- Even with Edmunds back, the Steelers could use Hill as a chess piece all over their defense. He'd immediately play the slot in nickel and dime situations.
16. Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa -- As I laid out in my look at the offensive tackles earlier this week, Chuks Okorafor's cap hit jumps nearly $10 million from 2022 to 2023. If the Steelers get a shot at Penning, he would be tough to pass on.
17. Drake London, WR, USC -- I would have liked to have seen a 40 time on London, but he didn't run at his pro day. He's still a talented wide receiver who is a very solid blocker.
18. Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington -- The Steelers could definitely use a cornerback at some point in this draft. McDuffie is a really clean prospect.
19. Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas -- A 6-foot-2, 225-pound wide receiver who easily breaks tackles? Sure, why not?
20. Andrew Booth, CB, Clemson -- Booth come in at 20th on my list as he is the final of the top four corners in this draft.
