The Steelers shocked Steeler Nation last night by passing on safeties Justin Reid, and Ronnie Harrison in favor of Virginia Tech's Terrell Edmunds. But Edmunds may be a match made in heaven for defensive coordinator Keith Butler. Butler loves versatility and he gets that with Edmunds. Butler will be able to use him as a hybrid safety, moving him up to the line of scrimmage on passing downs to help fill the void that Ryan Shazier leaves in the middle.
Terrell Edmunds describes the frantic moment he got the call from the #Steelers...in the bathroom pic.twitter.com/ORIHWwMgAS
— Kevin Boilard (@KevinBoilard) April 27, 2018
Free agent signee Morgan Burnett is well equipped to mentor Edmunds and show him the ropes. Burnett spent time at several different positions during his eight years in Green Bay, often playing up in the box.
A problem that plagued the defense last year was missed tackles. Edmunds only missed 5 in 585 snaps last year. Smarts, versatility, and a sure tackler? I'll give him a chance.
That brings us to today. The Steelers will have three selections after acquiring a third round pick from the Raiders for troubled receiver Martavis Bryant. They will select 60th, 79th, and 92nd.
So who are the top talent left on the board? Let's take a look.
There are still plenty of talented players left.
— 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬 (@sportingnews) April 27, 2018
The best available after the first round of the NFL Draft: https://t.co/YflbiN47eX pic.twitter.com/ieGqR0PziS
Wide receiversChristian Kirk, WR, Texas A&M
Courtland Sutton, WR, SMU
James Washington, WR, Oklahoma State
Anthony Miller, WR, Memphis
DJ Chark, WR, LSU
Equanimous St. Brown, WR, Notre Dame
Michael Gallup, WR, Colorado State
Dante Pettis, WR, Washington
DaeSean Hamilton, WR, Penn State
Keke Coutee, WR, Texas Tech
Linebackers
Malik Jefferson, OLB, Texas
Jeff Holland, OLB, Auburn
Kemoko Turay, OLB, Rutgers
Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, OLB, Oklahoma
Shaquem Griffin, ILB, UCF
Genard Avery, ILB, Memphis
Lorenzo Carter, OLB, Georgia
Harold Landry, Will Hernandez, Maurice Hurst …
— SB Nation NFL 🏈 (@SBNationNFL) April 27, 2018
There are some big names left after the first round https://t.co/88W8pp0aa2
Top 50 Still Available
16. Harold Landry, Edge, Boston College
17. Maurice Hurst, DL, Michigan
20. Josh Jackson, CB, Iowa
21. Derrius Guice, RB, LSU
22. Will Hernandez, G, UTEP
23. Orlando Brown, OT, Oklahoma
29. Connor Williams, OT, Texas
31. Harrison Phillips, DL, Stanford
33. Mark Andrews, TE, Oklahoma
36. James Daniels, C, Iowa
37. Sam Hubbard, Edge, Ohio State
39. Ronald Jones II, RB, Southern California
40. Dallas Goedert, TE, South Dakota State
41. Nick Chubb, RB, Georgia
43. Carlton Davis, CB, Auburn
44. Ronnie Harrison, S, Alabama
45. Mike Gesicki, TE, Penn State
47. Tim Settle, DL, Virginia Tech
48. Christian Kirk, WR, Texas A&M
49. Martinas Rankin, OT, Mississippi State
50. Mason Rudolph, QB, Oklahoma State
There are a lot of names and talent still on the board for the Steelers. Plenty that should last until the end of the second round when the Steelers are able to pick again.
Possible Steelers Targets
QB Mason Rudolph - Oklahoma St
WR Anthony Miller - Memphis
WR James Washington - Oklahoma St
WR Dante Pettis - Washington
OT Martinas Rankin - Mississippi State
DT Tim Settle - Virginia Tech
ILB Shaquem Griffin - UCF
ILB Genard Avery - Memphis
ILB Josey Jowell - Iowa
CB Tavarus McFadden - Florida State
CB Quenton Meeks - Stanford
The Draft begins tonight at 7pm eastern.
