Who the "experts" say the Steelers will draft in Round 1 of the 2017 draft:

[Ghost]

With less than a month to go until the draft (22 days); I get curious as to who the Steelers may be selecting in Rd 1. I went through and pulled 25 different mock drafts. I like to look up guys I may not have watched play college ball. I find it interesting to see if there is any sort of consensus (92% think they pick D). I tried to stick with recent mock drafts done/updated in the last week.

23 – Defense
2 – Offense

The players most commonly chosen: 4 times each:
Obi Melifonwu: S - UConn. 6’4”/224. 4.4 40.
TJ Watt: OLB – Wisc. 6’4”/252. 4.69 40.

With the 30^th pick in the 2017 NFL draft; the Pittsburgh Steelers select:

(NFL.com): TJ Watt (LB – Wisc)
(NFL.com): Taco Charlton (DE – Mich)
(NFL.com): Jabrill Peppers (LB – Mich)
(NFL.com): David Njoku (TE – Miami)
(NFL.com): Tim Williams (DE – Bama)
(Bleacher Report): Haason Reddick (LB – Temple)
(Walter Football): DeShone Kizer (QB – ND)
(SB Nation): Zach Cunningham (LB – Vandy)
(Fox Sports): Tim Williams (OLB – Bama)
(CBS Sports): Jabrill Peppers (SS – Mich)
(CBS Sports): Obi Melifonwu (SS – UConn)
(CBS Sports): TJ Watt (OLB – Wisc)
(CBS Sports): Kevin King (CB – Wash)
(CBS Sports): Obi Melifonwu (SS – UConn)
(CBS Sports): TJ Watt (OLB – Wisc)
(CBS Sports): Budda Baker (FS – Wash)
(Drafttek.com): Charles Harris (DE – Missouri)
(DraftBlaster.com): Reuben Foster (ILB – Bama)
(Newsday): Carl Lawson (Edge Rush – Auburn)
(Draft Wire): Obi Melifonwu (S – UConn)
(Sports Illustrated): Takkarist McKinley (DE/OLB – UCLA)
(La Times): Quincy Williams (CB – Florida)
(Draftsite.com): TJ Watt (OLB – Wisc)
(Sporting News): Obi Melifonwu (S – UConn)
(Draftcountdown.com): Haason Reddick (OLB – Temple)

[Oviedo]

Obi or Watt fill needs

[williar]

I'm warming up to T.J. Watt. Before I thought it was a case of "overhype-ness" by the draft pundits. If this guy plays anything like his brother, I mean, in terms of passion, attitude and aggression. I'm all in....

[Shawn]

I'm warming up to T.J. Watt. Before I thought it was a case of "overhype-ness" by the draft pundits. If this guy plays anything like his brother, I mean, in terms of passion, attitude and aggression. I'm all in....

I would be very ok with the Watt pick though it doesn't fit the typical first rounder the Steelers target.

[williar]

I would be very ok with the Watt pick though it doesn't fit the typical first rounder the Steelers target.

To be honest, Shawn, I just want us to get somebody who can rush the passer and play some "smash-mouth" defense! That is what the steelers should want to acquire for their first choice.

[Real Deal Steel]

To be honest, Shawn, I just want us to get somebody who can rush the passer and play some "smash-mouth" defense! That is what the steelers should want to acquire for their first choice.

Totally agree.

[RuthlessBurgher]

To be honest, Shawn, I just want us to get somebody who can rush the passer and play some "smash-mouth" defense! That is what the steelers should want to acquire for their first choice.

Thursday Night Possibilities: Takk McKinley, Charles Harris, T.J. Watt, Carl Lawson, etc.

Friday Night Possibilities: Jordan Willis, Derek Rivers, Tyus Bowser, Tarrell Basham, etc.

[Real Deal Steel]

If they took Watt, I'd puke. I think he's mostly hype.

[SidSmythe]

I'm warming up to T.J. Watt. Before I thought it was a case of "overhype-ness" by the draft pundits. If this guy plays anything like his brother, I mean, in terms of passion, attitude and aggression. I'm all in....

WATT has grown on me and I'd be satisfied with him.
I've been a Charles Harris fan all along but WATT has moved ahead of him in my book.

I'd be OK with a 1st round SAFETY also as long as that YOUNGSTOWN ST. OLB is there in the 2nd Round.

[Oviedo]

WATT has grown on me and I'd be satisfied with him.
I've been a Charles Harris fan all along but WATT has moved ahead of him in my book.

I'd be OK with a 1st round SAFETY also as long as that YOUNGSTOWN ST. OLB is there in the 2nd Round.

I'm with you on every point. Harris is my preferred guy but I wouldn't be too disappoint with either Watt at OLB or Peppers or Obi M. at Safety. Both positions are our greatest needs on defense.

[RuthlessBurgher]

If they took Watt, I'd puke. I think he's mostly hype.

He's not just a name. The biggest knock was that he has only one year of starting production under his belt. Well, that's because he redshirted (as a TE) in 2013, missed all of 2014 with a right knee injury, then injured his left knee in 2015 spring practice, which required another surgery that essentially limited to a reserve role for the remainder of that football season. But when he finally was able to start in 2016, he dominated with 15.5 TFL and 11.5 sacks. He only scratching the surface of what he could become. And it's not as if he's just some lunchpail type of guy who is limited athletically (although he does display relentless effort). At the combine, he was dominant in the shuttle runs, 3 cone drill, vertical jump, and broad jump, showing tremendous explosion and athleticism out there. He has the type of athletic traits this front office covets, so among the late first round possibilities, I think it may simply come down to whether Melifonwu or Watt is still on the board at #30.

[Shawn]

Watt is a player, ready to start day 1 with a D. My only issue is I believe he has a lower ceiling than someone we typically draft in the first.

[Real Deal Steel]

He's not just a name. The biggest knock was that he has only one year of starting production under his belt. Well, that's because he redshirted (as a TE) in 2013, missed all of 2014 with a right knee injury, then injured his left knee in 2015 spring practice, which required another surgery that essentially limited to a reserve role for the remainder of that football season. But when he finally was able to start in 2016, he dominated with 15.5 TFL and 11.5 sacks. He only scratching the surface of what he could become. And it's not as if he's just some lunchpail type of guy who is limited athletically (although he does display relentless effort). At the combine, he was dominant in the shuttle runs, 3 cone drill, vertical jump, and broad jump, showing tremendous explosion and athleticism out there. He has the type of athletic traits this front office covets, so among the late first round possibilities, I think it may simply come down to whether Melifonwu or Watt is still on the board at #30.

I love Melifonwu but I'm too scared to take him because I think we will have better options at OLB then most. Because I see 3-4 QB's and 3-4 RB going ahead of us.

[RuthlessBurgher]

I love Melifonwu but I'm too scared to take him because I think we will have better options at OLB then most. Because I see 3-4 QB's and 3-4 RB going ahead of us.

Safety vs. Edge Rusher Debate with our earliest picks:

If we go Obi first, I think we could still land a quality edge rusher in round 2 like Willis, Rivers, Bowser, or Basham.

If we take an edge rusher first, I highly doubt that safeties like Budda Baker or Josh Jones last all the way down to #62.

[SidSmythe]

I'm with you on every point. Harris is my preferred guy but I wouldn't be too disappoint with either Watt at OLB or Peppers or Obi M. at Safety. Both positions are our greatest needs on defense.

And everyone should listen to us b/c we are the two biggest JJ haters on the planet!!