{"id":62509,"date":"2018-04-07T07:58:45","date_gmt":"2018-04-07T07:58:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.biphoo.com\/bipnews\/?p=62509"},"modified":"2018-04-07T07:58:45","modified_gmt":"2018-04-07T07:58:45","slug":"three-and-out-pittsburgh-steelers-2018-nfl-draft-needs-prospect-fits","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.biphoo.com\/bipnews\/sports\/three-and-out-pittsburgh-steelers-2018-nfl-draft-needs-prospect-fits.html","title":{"rendered":"Three and out: Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2018 NFL draft needs, prospect fits"},"content":{"rendered":"

Three and out: Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2018 NFL draft needs, prospect fits<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

In the build-up to the 2018 draft, USA TODAY Sports will take a look at each NFL team’s situation and needs.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pittsburgh Steelers<\/span><\/p>\n

1. They were a different team after defensive anchor Ryan Shazier went down with a spinal injury late last season. The Steelers have drafted a linebacker with their first-round selection in three of the past four years. They may very well make it four of five.<\/span><\/p>\n

Advice: Boise State\u2019s Leighton Vander Esch or Alabama\u2019s Rashaan Evans could be reasonable targets with the 28th overall pick. But if Pittsburgh’s search extends beyond the first round, players like South Carolina State\u2019s Darius Leonard and Iowa’s Josey Jewell could also be solid fits in coordinator Keith Butler\u2019s defense.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben Roethlisberger has pondered retirement in recent years, making the need to find the next franchise quarterback a growing priority.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAdvice: The Steelers don\u2019t own a fourth rounder, so if they pounce on a passer, it has to be in the draft’s first two days. Oklahoma State\u2019s Mason Rudolph, Washington State\u2019s Luke Falk and Richmond\u2019s Kyle Lauletta are among the realistic targets.<\/span><\/p>\n

3. It may seem odd for a team with Le\u2019Veon Bell at running back to possibly be considering replacement options. But because Bell\u2019s ongoing contract negotiations haven\u2019t been smooth, his long-term future with the franchise remains in doubt. If Bell and GM Kevin Colbert can’t hammer out an extension, it seems highly unlikely Pittsburgh would franchise Bell for the third straight year in 2019.<\/span><\/p>\n

Advice: This draft is deep at running back and might even offer players with three-down skill sets close to Bell’s. USC\u2019s Ronald Jones, Georgia\u2019s Sony Michel, LSU\u2019s Derrius Guice and San Diego State\u2019s Rashaad Penny could be available on Day 2, though it’s not likely any will last until the Steelers are on the clock at No. 60. Colbert would probably have to make some kind of move to get one of them.<\/span><\/p>\n

Source:-https:\/\/www.usatoday.com\/story\/sports\/nfl\/steelers\/2018\/04\/06\/pittsburgh-steelers-2018-nfl-draft-preview-three-and-out\/493475002\/<\/span><\/p>\n

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