PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – It’s a group that includes several veteran reporters with decades of NFL Draft coverage experience, many who have studied this year’s draft for months and a former drafted NFL player. Who got the most votes for the Steelers first-round pick?
In a close vote, 38% of Fan staffers think the Steelers will pick Tennessee offensive tackle Darnell Wright over 31% for North Allegheny HS graduate Joey Porter, Junior. It’s a move that sits well with NFL Draft expert Brian Baldinger.
“I think they need a guy like that on their offensive line,” Baldinger said on the PM Team. “He could plug and play at right tackle right now. Darnell Wright makes the Steelers better. When they battle with the Baltimore Ravens, you have to come out of the stinking tunnel in Baltimore. I want Darnell Wright carrying that Terrible Towel with me into Baltimore or into Cleveland or into Cincinnati.”
“You have to be a point scorer in this business right now. Defense and keeping the score down isn’t going to win you a division title and I think Wright helps you do that.”
OT-Darnell Wright-Tennessee
· Chris Mack-“another big, physical, SEC tackle who can start right away. A fierce run blocker who can help open lanes for Najee Harris while also protecting Kenny Pickett's blind side is just what the doctor ordered for the Steelers.”
· Adam Crowley- “Ideally, I want the Steelers to take a swing. Trade up for Paris Johnson Jr. Short of that, I'm taking Darnell Wright from Tennessee.
Is he a left tackle in the NFL? Not so sure. But this just in- the Steelers need a RT too! It's a deep corner class, so the Steelers can wait around and get a starter quality player with the 32nd or 49th pick.”
· Paul Alexander- “It would cost too much for Paris Johnson or Broderick Jones, so they will move up far enough to grab Darnell Wright from Tennessee. He's huge and athletic at 6-5, 333. He's also only 21 and the Steelers, under Mike Tomlin, love going young. He also has 42 collegiate starts. If the Steelers get it WRIGHT, they will have an eventual Pro Bowler at LT for the next 10 years.”
· Matt Koll-“I'd like to see them land Broderick Jones out of Georgia. A big, athletic tackle who you would think is only going to get better as he grows into his own at the NFL level. The problem is, he might not be there at 17. I can see the Steelers "settling" for Darnell Wright out of Tennessee which I'd be happy with as well. Get a tackle first, come back for a cornerback like Cam Smith or Tyrique Stevenson at 32.”
· Ron Cook-“Kenny Pickett is, by far, the number one key to the Steelers future success. Do everything you can to protect him.”
CB-Joey Porter, Junior-Penn State
· Colin Dunlap-“The Steelers want a lockdown, clamp-off-a-whole-side left tackle. A guy who can protect Kenny Pickett's blindside. But by No. 17, all the good ones will be gone. That said, the Steelers will look to their second biggest area of need and lean on familiarity and organizational bloodlines.”
· Dorin Dickerson-“We are going to keep it familiar with the Steelers 17th pick. With that being said, the Steelers select…Joey Porter Jr. Corner. Penn St. Great pick. Not a reach. Will be a solid starter for years.”
· Greg Finley-“The Steelers have made it pretty clear with the amount of attention they have given him at the combine and pro day that he is who they really want to draft. He is the perfect fit for this team not only because of who his dad is, but because of his size and athletic ability. Him and Patrick Peterson would be a great duo in the secondary.”
· Nicholas Callas-“I hear many Fan callers preach logic during the shows I produce; Draft lineman! Fill immediate holes! Develop positions up front! But in my experience, the Steelers have rarely followed obvious logic when drafting recently, and that’s why they’re going to pick Joey Porter Jr. in the first round.”
CB-Deonte Banks-Maryland
· Joe Starkey- “Despite what Mike Tomlin said the other day, the Steelers have a glaring need: a number 1 corner”
EDGE-Lukas Van Ness-Iowa
· Josh Rowntree-“Yes, defensive line is maybe the third-biggest Steelers need. And yes, I'm not sure how Van Ness, who only weighs 272 pounds, fits in their scheme. He's too big to play OLB, too light for what they like on the line. But the guy can be a tough, explosive defensive playmaker, and that screams Steelers.”
OT-Broderick Jones-Georgia
· Shelby Cassessee-“I believe this is finally the year the Steelers will grant my wish for a draft with focus on the trenches. A DB or two wouldn't be so bad either. I think the Steelers land OT Broderick Jones at 17, and that's a great pick.”
· Andrew Limberg- “It’s been over 10 years since the Steelers drafted an offensive lineman in the first round and with recent struggles (even though the line held up pretty well last year) it shows. Third-rounder Kendrick Green quickly proved to be a bust at center. A solid OT in Jones is the way to go.”
OLB Nolan Smith-Georgia
· Jeff Hathhorn-“The Steelers defense works with dynamic outside linebackers. If a stud corner falls here, I would be in for that too, but they likely won’t. Smith is crazy athletic and good at stopping the run. Alex Highsmith becomes a free agent after this season, you’d have Smith for five seasons.”