The Pittsburgh Steelers hold the rights to the 22^nd overall selection in the 2015 NFL Draft. Pittsburgh captured the division crown after two consecutive seasons at 8-8 to reach an 11-5 overall record and division title in 2014-15. Offensively, Pittsburgh could not have asked for a better season. Ben Roethlisberger set a career high (4,952) in passing yards and tied his personal best with 32 touchdown passes. Receiver Antonio Brown led the league in receptions (129) and yards (1,698). Second-year running back Le’Veon Bell led the AFC in rushing yards (1,361) and second overall in the entire league in all-purpose yards (2,215).

Defensively, the Steelers showed improvement, but need to recapture their elite form that helped that make it to three Super Bowls since 2005. Kevin Butler, the Steelers’ new defensive coordinator, said he would be sticking with the 3-4 zone blitz defensive scheme made successful by his predecessor Dick Lebeau. Under Lebeau’s tutelage, Pittsburgh’s defense was accustomed to being ranked as one of the top defenses each and every season. Butler faces an uphill challenge with an aging secondary and a lack of elite pass rushing linebackers that helped spur the Steelers’ success. Butler said he would be “adding a few wrinkles” to the defense which may be a positive since it appears the linebackers aren’t up to par to dominate (yet).

General manager Kevin Colbert has been aboard the Steelers since 2000 when he was named Director of Football Operations, then earning the title of GM in 2010.  Colbert has developed some habits with the Steelers draft. The Big Ten is the conference the Steelers use most with their top two picks overall (since 2000). In fact 10 of the last 14 draft’s the Steelers elected to select a player from the Big Ten with one of their top two selections. Take note that in 2006 and 2009, Pittsburgh had no second round pick, but used their first third round pick on a guy from the Big Ten.

The college conference that Pittsburgh used second most is the ACC, with six selections in their top two picks, since 2000. It’s also worth noting that the Pittsburgh Panthers no longer play in the Big East, but now the ACC. Visiting teams from the conference will be playing at Heinz Field, allowing the Steelers to scout Atlantic Coast Conference players’ in their own back yard. Fifteen players total have come from either the Big Ten or ACC over that span. Those two tidbits are something to pay close attention to as the draft approaches. Compensatory picks have not yet been added and will be announced at a later date.

Round 1

Kevin Johnson, Wake Forest CB: Pittsburgh could be trying to put up a smoke screen with four representatives at Wake Forest’s Pro Day that included their GM Kevin Colbert. Last season, two reserve players saved the Steelers season defensively. Defensive backs Brice McCain and Antwon Blake stepped up in the absence of Ike Taylor being injured and Cortez Allen being benched and later injured. Duplicating that same success is a risky proposition and not to mention both McCain and Blake are unrestricted free agents. Pittsburgh could be showing plenty of attention in plain view to Johnson, but could secretly be eyeing Michigan State’s Trae Waynes or Miami (OH) cornerback Quinten Rollins.

Other Notables – Trae Waynes, Michigan State CB; Quinten Rollins, Miami (OH) CB; Shaq Thompson, Washington OLB; La’el Collins, LSU OT; Alvin Dupree, Kentucky OLB; Landon Collins, Alabama S.

Round 2

Hauoli Kikaha, Washington OLB: New defensive coordinator Kevin Butler may tweak certain aspects of the Steelers defense, but the lifeblood will remain with their outside linebackers playing their role in getting to the opponents quarterback. 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 selection (2010) with Jason Worilds, it is obvious a pressing need defensively.

Other Notables: Eli Harold, Virginia OLB; P.J. Williams, Florida State DB; Carl Davis, Iowa DT.

Round 3

Jaquiski Tartt, Samford SS: Troy Polamalu hasn’t lost his beautiful graying locks of hair but he has lost a step (and then some) on the football field. With the secondary in need of a huge overhaul, a player like Tartt is a solid pick in the third round. Tartt dominated practices at the Senior Bowl and is a relentless in establishing himself as a fierce force at safety.

“I’m not sure,” Jaquiski Tartt said in reference to he may resemble in the NFL. “It is premature but people say Sean Taylor.”

Bringing that physical presence to the secondary along with the ability to play the football in the air is a quality that Tartt brings to the team and something Pittsburgh desperately needs. Time and time again it seemed like 2014 free agent addition Mike Mitchell recorded more penalty flags than tackles. That allowed offenses to continue drives and put points on the scoreboard.

Other Notables: Jeremy Langford, Michigan State RB; Jordan Hicks Texas OLB; Eric Rowe, Utah CB.

Round 4

Tevin Coleman, Indiana RB: Pittsburgh relied heavily on the Le’Veon Bell in his second season. With his ability to run and catch out of the backfield Bell was a constant force for the Steelers’ offense last season. Bell is facing a suspension stemming from his arrest last August after being charged with a DUI and possession of marijuana. Coleman is another versatile running back who shares the same agency as Bell (The Sports Entertainment Group at Kelly Drye). In the absence of Bell, a guy like Coleman could help keep the running game effective and also give Pittsburgh a reliable option when Bell needs a break from the action.

Other Notables: Jeremy Langford, Michigan State RB; Jordan Hicks, Texas OLB; Ibraheim Campbell, Northwestern S.

Round 5

Rob Havenstein, Wisconsin OT: Pittsburgh has learned over the years that you can not ever have enough offensive linemen on the roster. Havenstein is an enormous man (6’7 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 fifth round of the NFL Draft.

Other Notables: Jamon Brownm Louisville OT; Terrence Magee, LSU RB; Blake Bell, Oklahoma TE; Martel Durantm Akron CB.

Round 6

Jean Sifrin, Massachusetts TE: Sifrin is an oversized receiver who does not resemble incumbent Heath Miller, who is entering his 11^th season in the NFL and turning 33 in October. Sifrin is one of the more intriguing prospects in this upcoming NFL Draft. Sifrin is a former basketball player who turned heads immediately at Massachusetts with his ability to make tough acrobatic catches and find the end zone. Matt Speath and Michael Palmer are currently the reserves and are asked to block (only four combined catches in 2014).

Other Notables: Erick Dargan, Oregon S; Jordan Richards, Stanford S; Kevin Whimpey, Utah State OT; Keontae Hollis, Akron DT; Dee Hart, Colorado State RB.

Round 7

Imoan Claiborne, Northwestern State CB: 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 showed himself well proving to NFL Scouts he can raise 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 can found this late in the draft.

Other Notables: Al-Hajj Shabazz, West Chester CB; Mark Glowinski, West Virginia OL; Matt Darr, Tennessee P; B.J. Larsen, Utah State OLB.