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

[Shawn]

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.

Something to think about. I agree with that.

[squidkid]

Obi or Watt fill needs

dang it. i like those guys. too bad we go BPA instead of by need

[Slapstick]

Why is safety as big a need as edge rusher? Sean Davis developed nicely last season and Mitchell had a good season...

[SteelCrazy]

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

Real Deal Wrong...

[SteelCrazy]

Sean Davis developed nicely last season and Mitchell had a good season...

Mitchell had a good season? The guy still smells like smoke....

[feltdizz]

Why is safety as big a need as edge rusher? Sean Davis developed nicely last season and Mitchell had a good season...

Because this board hates Mitchell.

Its TD the same reason half the board gets upset during FA and wants to trade AB and Bell. They always think draft picks will be better than what we have on the field.

[Oviedo]

Because this board hates Mitchell.

Its TD the same reason half the board gets upset during FA and wants to trade AB and Bell. They always think draft picks will be better than what we have on the field.

Truth! Rarely true although it would had been true with J Jones. Felt would have been an improvement

[BradshawsHairdresser]

Why is safety as big a need as edge rusher? Sean Davis developed nicely last season and Mitchell had a good season...

Safety isn't as "big" a need as edge rusher ... but if the Steelers get a chance to draft a player like Obi, they should do so. He could pay dividends in the near term as a situational player in subpackages, and in the long term as an all-pro starter.

There should still be high-quality edge rushers like Derek Rivers or Jordan Willis available when the Steelers pick in round 2.

[Real Deal Steel]

I'm not so sure about that; "Edge Rusher" is the word now and everybody is going after them like their Barbeque at a cook out. Wouldn't be so bad if we weren't at the back end of round 2 but we are.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Truth! Rarely true although it would had been true with J Jones. Felt would have been an improvement

[feltdizz]

Truth! Rarely true although it would had been true with J Jones. Felt would have been an improvement

that was forced and didn't feel natural. Try harder

[Iron City Inc.]

Safety isn't as "big" a need as edge rusher ... but if the Steelers get a chance to draft a player like Obi, they should do so. He could pay dividends in the near term as a situational player in subpackages, and in the long term as an all-pro starter.

There should still be high-quality edge rushers like Derek Rivers or Jordan Willis available when the Steelers pick in round 2.

If Obi can play corner as well wow that would be special. Lots to work with.

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

Why is safety as big a need as edge rusher? Sean Davis developed nicely last season and Mitchell had a good season...

Despite what many people here like to say, safety is not a 2017 need. Mitchell is under contract at a cap hit of $8.1M this season, and a dead money hit of $6.2M if he is cut. You don't sit on the bench at that money, and whether you like him or not, he is not THAT BAD that he gets cut and the team eats 6 mil.

If the Steelers draft a safety it is with an eye towards 2018 and the thought of cutting Mitchell then. If the Steelers are choosing between similarly rated prospects at OLB, CB, and safety, they go with a player who could start in 2017 ahead of a guy who won't. If they go with Obi then they must really love the guy and rated him far ahead of any of the corners and edge rushers..

[Real Deal Steel]

If you watch any six games last year,..any six...you'll see Mitchell is terrible in coverage when forced into coverage. That's why people feel the way they feel about getting another safety. Granted, I love Mitchell when he comes down around the box. But I don't believe that he's not going to be the starter this season because of what he's making if nothing else.

[BradshawsHairdresser]

Despite what many people here like to say, safety is not a 2017 need. Mitchell is under contract at a cap hit of $8.1M this season, and a dead money hit of $6.2M if he is cut. You don't sit on the bench at that money, and whether you like him or not, he is not THAT BAD that he gets cut and the team eats 6 mil.

If the Steelers draft a safety it is with an eye towards 2018 and the thought of cutting Mitchell then. If the Steelers are choosing between similarly rated prospects at OLB, CB, and safety, they go with a player who could start in 2017 ahead of a guy who won't. If they go with Obi then they must really love the guy and rated him far ahead of any of the corners and edge rushers..

I don't agree with your assessment. I think Obi would get a lot of playing time on the Steelers' D in 2017, even with Mitchell still on the field. As much as they are in non-base alignments, they could plug in Melinfonwu a lot at DB or LB (particularly if he can play some CB), utilizing him, in essence, as an extra starter.