Pittsburgh Steelers Complete 2014 NFL Mock Draft
By Joe Wedra
Nov 16, 2013; Starkville, MS, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs running back LaDarius Perkins (27) advances the ball during the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Davis Wade Stadium. Alabama Crimson Tide defeat the Mississippi State Bulldogs with a score of 20-7. Mandatory Credit: Spruce Derden-USA TODAY Sports
Here’s a 2014 NFL Mock Draft for the Pittsburgh Steelers. In this mock draft, they upgrade the defense tremendously.
#15 – Darqueze Dennard, CB, Michigan State
The Steelers have major issues in their secondary, and they desperately need to cover the pass in 2014. I expect Dennard to play big at the next level – he should be a perfect fit in a Pittsburgh defense.
#46 – Scott Crichton, DE, Oregon State
Crichton is a guy who will be welcomed with open arms in Pittsburgh. The defensive end spot on the depth chart isn’t where it needs to be heading into the 2014 season, so I expect the Steelers to address the need early in the draft.
#97 – Louchiez Purifoy, CB, Florida
Purifoy is ranked a bit lower than this on many boards, but I believe the former Gator will have a chance to be very successful in the NFL. The Steelers need help in the secondary, as we already said, and I wouldn’t be shocked if they doubled-up with this pick.
#118 – Arthur Lynch, TE, Georgia
Heath Miller is becoming a very risky option for the Steelers, and they could use an upgrade from their current backups. In fact, Lynch may be able to make an impact right away – he’s definitely an underrated prospect.
#157 – Justin Britt, OT, Missouri
Britt will be another prospect who will be a welcomed sight for everyone involved. We all know that the Steelers offensive line can’t stay healthy – this pick helps the coaching staff sleep a bit better at night.
#173 – Charles Leno, OL, Fresno State
Copy and paste from previous selection here. The interior offensive line depth chart is a bit scary for the coaches in Steel Town – after these two picks, things get much clearer.
#192 – Jalen Saunders, WR, Oklahoma
The Steelers signed Lance Moore and Darius Heyward-Bey earlier in the off-season, but I’m not so sure that they’re done adding weapons for Ben Roethlisberger. Saunders is lightning quick and if he makes the roster, he might be a scary threat for other teams around the AFC North.
#215 – Kerry Hyder, DT, Texas Tech
Depth is needed here, and Hyder can provide that. If newly-acquired Cam Thomas or Steve McLendon gets hurt, the team is pretty weak when it comes to backups.
#230 – LaDarius Perkins, RB, Mississippi State
Perkins is one of my biggest sleepers in this draft. The Steelers could use a solid third RB option on the roster, and Perkins is a guy who, don’t look now, but could become one of the better backs in the AFC North in a few years.