The Steelers desperately need an inside linebacker. They also badly need a corner and an edge rusher. There’s just no doubt about it. Any of those choices will be perfectly acceptable.
They also need a receiver who can take the lid off coverage. That too is undeniable. Who is going to do that? I’m not even talking about replacing Brown, because that’s not possible. I’m talking about somebody who is going to threaten defenses down the field to open up all of those intermediate passes for JuJu and the TE’s?
Connor is a good NFL running back, but not an exceptional one. However, they’re not going to take a running back in the first round – and nor should they.
Finally, though it would not be my first choice, if that Hockensmith kid from Iowa is available in the 20s, they have to take him. He’s just too good of a prospect. A tight end in the modern NFL is a huge threat. They are red zone gold and you have to take the elite prospect if he is available. I cannot fathom him being available at that point in the draft, but I have seen a few mock drafts in which he was still available at 20. If that’s true, and assuming the Devon’s are gone, I would not think twice about taking him over potentially reaching for a corner or edge rusher there.
Finally, “Hollywood” Brown is a guy who is getting a lot of hype and for good reason. He was a very explosive player at Oklahoma. However, he weighs just 165 pounds and that is exceptionally small for an NFL receiver. Also, he’s coming off a Lisfranc foot injury and that is a potentially serious injury for a player like Brown, who going to rely on quickness and agility to get open. I’d probably pass on him.
