The 2020 NFL league year started Wednesday, and there’s already been a lot of movement.
Our friends over at Draft Wire posted a new trade-inclusive three-round mock draft, so we gave it a look to see how they did for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
With the No. 49 pick, the Steelers select former LSU team captain Rashard Lawrence, defensive tackle. With the departure of Javon Hargrave, DT is a position that will need to be addressed in the draft.
49. Pittsburgh Steelers | Rashard Lawrence | DL | LSU
50. Chicago Bears | A.J. Terrell | CB | Clemson
51. Dallas Cowboys | Chase Claypool | WR/TE | Notre Dame
52. Los Angeles Rams | Justin Madubuike | DL | Texas A&M
53. Philadelphia Eagles | Ashtyn Davis | S | California
54. Buffalo Bills | Julian Okwara | EDGE | Notre Dame
55. Baltimore Ravens (from NE via ATL) | Solomon Kindley | OL | Georgia
56. Miami Dolphins (from NO) | Lloyd Cushenberry | OL | LSU
57. Houston Texans | Brandon Aiyuk | WR | Arizona State
58. Minnesota Vikings | Jaylon Johnson | CB | Utah
59. Seattle Seahawks | Raekwon Davis | DL | Alabama
60. Baltimore Ravens | K.J. Hamler | WR | Penn State
61. Tennessee Titans | Damien Lewis | OL | LSU
62. Green Bay Packers | Malik Harrison | LB | Ohio State
63. Kansas City Chiefs (from SF) | J.K. Dobbins | RB | Ohio State
64. Seattle Seahawks (from KC) | Curtis Weaver | EDGE | Boise State
The only question is whether Lawrence is a better DT option than Justin Madubuike or Raekwon Davis.
Injuries can’t be helped, but Lawrence suffered ankle injuries since he became a starter in his sophomore year. He did manage one full season as a junior and finished with 54 tackles, 10.5 for loss and 4.0 sacks.
Madubuike appeared in all 13 games his freshman and sophomore seasons and only missed one start for the Aggies his senior year. He racked up 105 tackles, a whopping 24.5 for loss, and 11 sacks. Madubuike added an interception and five forced fumbles.
Towering at 6-6, Davis is a defensive beast. He compiled 175 tackles, 19.5 for loss, 11.5 sacks and a pick for the Crimson Tide.
Though there’s speculation that the Steelers will draft a wide receiver, it’ll likely happen in later rounds.
Third round
Draftwire shows running back Zack Moss being taken with the Steelers’ third-round selection.
102. Pittsburgh Steelers | Zack Moss | RB | Utah
103. Philadelphia Eagles | Davon Hamilton | DL | Ohio State
104. Los Angeles Rams | Jabari Zuniga | EDGE | Florida
105. Minnesota Vikings | James Lynch | DL | Baylor
106. Baltimore Ravens | Albert Okwuegbunam | TE | Missouri
Pittsburgh will need to take an RB in this draft. James Conner has injury concerns, and Jaylen Samuels nor Benny Snell, Jr. have not yet shown that they can carry the load.
Moss’s running style could lead to durability issues, and with the way coach Mike Tomlin likes to use his backs, the Steelers will need a one that can provide longevity.
[vertical-gallery id=460725]
[lawrence-related id=460446]