The Pittsburgh Steelers ended their 2015 campaign with a 10-6 record. They earned a playoff position, only to be ousted in the division round of playoffs by the eventual Super Bowl Champion Denver Broncos. Those Steelers gave up the 12th most yards per game from scrimmage, ranking 5th against the run. Their defense hurt them in the air, giving up the 3rd most passing yards in the league. This begs an assumption. Either Pittsburghs’ opponents couldn’t run the ball against them, so passing yards came easy — or passing came so easy; opponents didn’t even try to run.
Regardless of perspective, a new influx of defensive talent is essential for a winning season and playoff-berth. The Steelers have the 25th pick and seven selections in this year’s NFL Draft. Let’s look at some possible draftees.
Karl Joseph, the 5’10”, 205lb safety out of WVU started every game as a true freshman and sophomore for the Mountaineers, and earned first-team All-Big 12 honors his junior season. In his senior campaign, he led the FBS in interceptions, (5) through 4 games before tearing his ACL. A rangy, hard-hitting attacker who isn’t afraid to bang around with the big guys up front sounds like the perfect Steelers safety. Josephs’ versatility is sure to get him on the field in Week 1, whether it’s special teams or a sub-defensive package. All this Mountaineer needs is an opportunity.
William Jackson III, the 6’0”, 189 lb. cornerback out of Houston was a junior college transfer who became a starter his first season for the Cougars. He led the nation in passes-defended as a junior. With his combination of arm-length and speed, Jackson is the prototypical corner for today’s NFL. Pittsburgh hasn’t had a number 1 corner since Ike Taylor retired. Jackson fits this particular mold well.
Alabama has produced tons of NFL talent in recent memory, Marcel Dareus, Julio Jones, and C.J. Mosley just to name a few. Imposing 6’4”, 307 lb defensive tackle A’Shawn Robinson is next in line. Robinson led the Crimson Tide in sacks as a true freshman, then tried – and succeeded – at every position on the defensive line for Nick Saban in his remaining time in Alabama. A consensus All-American and Outland Trophy finalist (given to the best interior defensive lineman), Robinson capped off his senior season with a National Title. He would be able to contribute from Day 1 with his NFL-ready strength and size, and would be a perfect replacement for the Steelers, after losing starting defensive tackle Steve McLendon to free agency.
Rounding out the field of possibilities is 5’10”, 190 lb Clemson cornerback, Mackensie Alexander A key cog on a defense that made it to the National Championship game last year, he was named a Freshman All-American in his first season as a starter, and earned third-team All-American and first-team all-conference honors in 2015. Stats for Alexander are lean because most teams feared challenging him on the field, but he still accounted for 12 pass breakups in his 2-year stint at Clemson. Though a bit undersized for a corner in the NFL, he always rose to the occasion in college, allowing only 12 passes thrown his way to be completed. Equally impressive, he never allowed a receiving touchdown. Pittsburgh’s secondary has been like a revolving door for the past 5 years with players coming and going. Alexander, if selected, could be a staple for the Steelers’ secondary for years to come.
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