The 2019 NFL Draft is a lot closer than many may believe, and as the NFL world turns their focus to Lucas Oil Field in Indianapolis, home of the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine, fans’ attention typically begins the process of trying to predict who their favorite team will select.
For the Pittsburgh Steelers, they have 8 total draft picks throughout the three day, 7 round process. Most websites simply consist of showing who they think the team will take in the first round, and maybe a two round mock draft, but there are a few rare media personalities who will take a stab at a full 7-round prediction.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Ray Fittipaldo is one of those rogue journalists, and put out his first full mock draft of the year. At this point these predictions are just stabs in the dark. Great for conversation and debate, but that is about it. Once the teams start heading to Pro Days, and host pre-draft visits, then you will start to see the focus narrow on these type of prediction articles.
For the record, Fittipaldo goes into great detail on all of his selections, you can read them all HERE, but out of respect to the work he did I will show his explanation of just his first round pick.
At this point, check out the full mock draft below, and feel free to let us know what you think of the haul in the comment section below.
1. CB Byron Murphy, Washington (5 feet 11, 182 pounds)
The Steelers have glaring needs at corner and inside linebacker, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if they went in either direction when they select at No. 20. It really might come down to picking the highest-ranked player on their board between those two positions at that time. Murphy might be small, but he plays big, and that’s exactly what the Steelers need in a corner. Murphy fits the bill of a Steelers first-round pick. He just turned 21 last month, and while there is plenty of room for growth, he is NFL-ready and capable of stepping into the starting lineup as a rookie, if need be. Murphy is a tenacious, ball-hawking playmaker the Steelers need in their secondary. And while he is undersized for a typical first-round corner, Murphy is one of the most physical corners in this class. He’s not afraid to throw his weight around in run support or when breaking up passes. The Steelers could still add a veteran free agent to the mix at corner, but getting Murphy in this spot makes all the sense in the world for a defense that needs a young impact corner who can create turnovers.
2.a. (via trade with San Francisco) ILB Devin Bush, Michigan (5-11, 233)
2.b. WR Deebo Samuel, South Carolina (5-11, 215)
3. OLB D’Andre Walker, Georgia (6-2, 245)
4. DL Rennell Wren, Arizona State (6-5, 294)
5. No pick
6.a. S Saquan Hampton, Rutgers (6-1, 205)
6.b. OL Ross Piersbacher, Alabama (6-3, 300)
7. TE Drew Sample, Washington (6-4, 251)
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