With the Steelers now likely done with free agency -- at least before the draft -- we can take a look at where the team still has holes and where that might take them in the draft.
The signings of corner Steven Nelson, linebacker Mark Barron and receiver Donte Moncrief have lessened the absolute need for the Steelers to acquire players at those positions. Now, it's more about want -- or at least the old Best Player Available theory.
There's still a good chance the Steelers' top pick will be at one of those spots, but those free agent additions also put some other spots -- and players -- in play.
We'll take a look now at the odds-on favorites to be the Steelers' top pick (And no, you can't take this to the casino):
• Devin Bush, ILB, Michigan (2-1): Bush remains the favorite to be the pick. In fact, if you see a mock draft and it has the Steelers passing on Bush to take someone else, don't bother reading any more. That mock drafter doesn't know what he's talking about. The question is whether will Bush make it to the Steelers. Figure it this way, there is a good chance there will be at least four defensive linemen, three to four edge rushers, three quarterbacks, three offensive linemen, one receiver, one tight end, one linebacker, Devin White, and one defensive back taken before the 20th pick. That's 17 or 18 players. And there are always surprises. Some positions (Offensive linemen, quarterbacks and corners) tend to be overdrafted. So there's probably around a 50-50 shot Bush falls into the Steelers' range. If he gets to around pick 16 (Carolina), it would be a good idea to trade a third-round pick to go up and get him. If not, the cost to move up is probably going to be too high. Even at 5-11, Bush is the kind of speed linebacker in the middle of the field the Steelers need.
• Brian Burns, edge rusher, Florida State (4-1): Burns is long and lean at 6-foot-5 and 249 pounds. He's also fast (4.53 40) and has excellent bend around the edge -- unlike Bud Dupree. The Steelers picked up Dupree's fifth-year option at $9.2 million, but have no commitment to him beyond this season. That means if they get a chance at a replacement this year, why not? This is a deep draft for top-end edge rushers. In some other years, Burns might be a top-10 talent. In this draft, he's likely the fourth or fifth edge rusher on the board. He also could use the year to put on some strength. A true junior, Burns could be a nice fallback option if the Steelers miss on Bush.
• Byron Murphy, CB, Washington (4-1): If Bush is gone, Murphy also would be a nice fallback option. A redshirt sophomore, Murphy fits the Steelers' defensive scheme better than Greedy Williams. And Williams will likely be the first corner taken, despite his complete lack of desire to tackle anyone. Deion Sanders could get away with that because he was so good in coverage. Williams isn't in that class. But Murphy is tough, physical and had 13 pass breakups and four interceptions last season. Yes, he ran a 4.55 40 at the NFL Scouting Combine. But Joe Haden ran a 4.57 and he's plenty fast enough.
• T.J. Hockenson, TE, Iowa (6-1): I don't think Hockenson slips to pick 20, but you never say never in the draft when it comes to tight ends. They rarely go in the first 10, let alone the first 15 picks. Hockenson is very good. He's not the burner teammate Noah Fant happens to be, but his 4.7 speed is plenty fast enough. And he's a very good blocker. If Hockenson does fall to No. 20, the Steelers would be very happy.
• Parris Campbell, WR, Ohio State (6-1): The Steelers won't get a shot at DK Metcalf, which is fine. While his size and straight-line speed are intriguing, he turns like a battleship. Campbell is faster and is much more elusive. And at 6-foot, 205 pounds, his size is more than good enough to play on the outside in the NFL. A 4.33 burner, Campbell had 90 catches and 12 touchdowns last season at Ohio State. He's also excellent as a return man. The Steelers have had some success with Ohio State guys and this could be another.
• Noah Fant, TE, Iowa (8-1): Hockenson's teammate is an outstanding receiver. Problem is, he's not much of a blocker. The Steelers had an interest in Evan Engram and David Njoku a couple of years ago, so adding a tight end who is primarily a pass catcher isn't out of the realm of possibility. Fant is an outstanding athlete. And basically scored on one out of every four catches in college, despite sharing time with Hockenson. A 4.5 guy at 6-foot-4 and 249 pounds is special. Fant would be very tantalizing at pick 20, despite the team's defensive needs.
Safety (10-1): I'm going to include a couple of different guys here because none of the safeties are really rated as top-20 guys, but as we saw last year, the Steelers look at the position a little differently. Could they pick a safety in the first round in back-to-back years? It seems unlikely, since there will be some value in the second round there and any of the guys listed above should be rated higher on their board. But if the Steelers are looking for a true free safety, Florida's Chauncey Gardner-Johnson is excellent. Alabama's Deionte Thompson has been dealing with a wrist injury and has yet to run this offseason. He hopes to do so April 2. Those two are the top FS prospects. If they want more of a box-type guy, Washington's Taylor Rapp or Mississippi State's Johnathan Abram would fit the bill. Most have those four safeties graded somewhere between 25 to 40 in prospect rankings.
