Team needs: Cornerback, Safety, Tight End, Linebacker, Running Back

Steelers’ selections

Round 1 – 22^nd overall

Round 2 – 56^th overall

Round 3 – 87^th overall

Round 4 – 121^st overall

Round 5 – 160^th overall

Round 6 – 212^th overall

Round 7 – 239^th overall

Good fits early:

Kevin Johnson: Addressing the cornerback position seems like a logical choice for Pittsburgh in the early rounds of the NFL Draft. Ike Taylor retired after 12 seasons with the Steelers and Cortez Allen, once viewed the heir apparent to Taylor, regressed mightily last year. Johnson demonstrated his athleticism at the combine running an impressive 4.52 40-yard dash (6-foot and 188-pounds). The former Wake Forest star is a lean built cornerback with natural cover skills. GM Kevin Colbert’s two most preferred conferences’s to use the teams first and second round picks on are the Big Ten and ACC. So keep a close eye on each conference in the top two rounds especially when the Steelers are on the clock.

Landon Collins: Troy Polamalu came into the NFL the same year (2003) as Ike Taylor and retires the same year as well. Polamalu exits stage left after a Hall of Fame type of career in Pittsburgh. His absence in the secondary combined with Collins potentially being available with the 22^nd overall pick would seem like a perfect fit for the Steelers. Collins projects to be player Pittsburgh can plug in and play immediately as he quarterbacked one of the most feared and productive secondaries in college football at Alabama. Collins has range and ability to hit and be an impact player in the box.

Maxx Williams: The Pittsburgh Steelers have drafted a tight end four times with their number one pick since 1976. The list includes Bennie Cunningham (1976), Eric Green (1990), Mark Bruener (1995) and Heath Miller (2005).  Miller, who is entering his 11^th season in the NFL and turning 33 in October, is still productive but looking ahead at his eventual replacement is not out of the question. Behind him on the roster are reserves Matt Spaeth and Michael Palmer.  Pittsburgh uses Miller to both block and be a factor down field. Those are two qualities Williams excelled at during his collegiate years at Minnesota.

Randy Gregory: Gregory, athletically is worthy of being a Top 5 overall pick in this draft. The failed drug test at the NFL Scouting Combine creates a large dark cloud looming over how far he may fall on draft day. If Gregory does slip down to 22^nd overall with Pittsburgh on the clock they will have a hard time passing on the talented Nebraska Cornhuskers outside linebacker. Pittsburgh has addressed the position twice in the first round over the last two seasons drafting Jarvis Jones (2013) and Ryan Shazier (2014) and adding in their second-overall selection (2010) with Jason Worilds, who retired it is obviously a pressing need.

Potential late-round targets:

Imoan Claiborne: Pittsburgh has an incredible knack for finding late round talent and Claiborne could continue the trend. A small-school standout, he was invited to the Senior Bowl where he did himself some good proving to NFL Scouts he can up his game against a higher level of competition. Extra bodies in the secondary and maybe unearthing another contributor to make the final 53-man roster would be an added bonus if a quality cornerback like Claiborne can be found in the later stages of the NFL Draft.

Sean Mannion: The Steelers are safe with Ben Roethlisberger at the helm of the offense. Back-up Bruce Gradkowski is serviceable if the team is in a pinch to get by a couple games. The third-string job held down by former Oklahoma quarterback Landry Jones is where the Steelers may look to upgrade and develop another prospect behind Roethlisberger. Jones has shown little to be impressed about during his action in the preseason over the last two years. Another young arm to compete against Jones is probably in the cards. Mannion was a four-year starter at Oregon State in a pro-style offense with good size and delivery.

Rob Havenstein: Pittsburgh has learned over the years that you can not ever have enough offensive linemen on the roster. Havenstein is an enormous man (6-foot-7 and 330-pounds) and he tied a school record at Wisconsin after appearing in 54 games with the Badgers. Durability and talent are two things every team needs and for Pittsburgh it would be a welcomed addition in the mid to late rounds of the NFL Draft.

The Pittsburgh Steelers exited the first-round of the playoffs last season after losing to their rival Baltimore Ravens, 30-17 at home. It was the first playoff appearance in two years and their sixth AFC North division title since it was realigned in 2002. The Steelers finished second in total offense and passing yards as Roethlisberger enjoyed one of his finest statistical seasons setting career highs in passing yards (4,952) and touchdown passes (32). The emergence of running back Le’Veon Bell only enhances the strength and possibilities of their offense under coordinator Todd Haley.

Defensively, the team is building with the departure of long-time coordinator Dick LeBeau giving way to Kevin Butler. The Steelers did not want to lose Butler, who is a rising star in the organization. The transition of replacing their aging veterans and sprinkling in new faces along with a new defensive coordinator should amount to a different look to what most Pittsburgh fans are accustomed to seeing.