2017 NFL Draft pick that can push the Pittsburgh Steelers over the top

The Pittsburgh Steelers aren’t far from Super Bowl contention. After losing last year’s AFC title game, here’s the player that can push them over the top…

The Pittsburgh Steelers had plenty of potholes in the way of a potential championship season in 2016, and they came within one win of making it to the Super Bowl. At one point, they ripped off nine straight wins from November to January, and looked like the toughest team in the NFL.

Then, they met an unstoppable force in New England for the AFC Championship game, and they’re now left wondering what moves need to be made to get past Tom Brady, Bill Belichick, and the crew.

The 2017 NFL Draft will provide some clarity as to the Steelers’ major offseason plans, which include hopefully getting a reinstated Martavis Bryant (huge for the offense) and the continued development of some young, talented prospects in the secondary.

Pittsburgh has an excellent defensive front made up of Cameron Heyward, Javon Hargrave, and Stephon Tuitt. James Harrison has found the fountain of youth, and Alvin Dupree is a former first round pick who had 4.5 sacks in seven games this past year.

The Steelers would love for Dupree to stay healthy and stay on the field, but even if he does, I think the pass rush needs to be addressed. That’s the main reason why I think that the ideal pick for the Steelers in the first round is Alabama’s Tim Williams.

Williams was a second-team All-American and second-team All-SEC this past season after he posted 31 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, nine sacks, 12 quarterback hurries, two forced fumbles, and a fumble returned for a touchdown. Despite the low volume of total tackles, Williams was making high impact plays.

The efficiency of having 31 total tackles and 16 for loss is incredible to me.

When you watch Williams play, it’s like he’s being shot out of a cannon, especially on third downs. He has the ability to use his core and torque his body so he can bend the edge and get to the quarterback in the quickest time possible.

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With Williams providing pressure off the edge, the Steelers would certainly produce more than 38 sacks as a team, which isn’t a terrible number at all, but where was the consistency and who was getting to the quarterback the most?

Even in his older age, James Harrison led the Steelers in sacks this past season, but he had just five. There were a number of players that made their way to the quarterback for the Steelers, but a pass rush specialist is definitely necessary.

Here’s what NFL.com analysts Lance Zierlein said about Williams in his scouting report:

"Alabama has the type of talent and scheme on defense that can make life much easier for everyone along the front seven, but Williams has explosiveness and pass-rush talent to create his own havoc as a pass rusher regardless of what is around him."

With what he’d have in front of him in Pittsburgh, I think Williams would feast as a rookie and give the Steelers that late game closer that can help them in a big way in January.

Here’s what our own Brady Lunt had to say about Williams in his scouting report:

"Tim Williams is one of the quickest and agile pass rushers in this draft class. Primarily working as an outside linebacker in Alabama’s 3-4 defense, Williams was given free reign to attack the quarterback on every down he could. He played better in a three point stance and displayed the burst to thrive in the set. His acceleration off the snap is superb, demonstrating tremendous anticipation and a quick-twitch to get beyond offensive tackles quickly."

There’s no doubt this player would be great for the Steelers, who need some speed off the edge. He can be that piece that finally puts them back over the top and gets the Lombardi Trophy back to the city of one of the NFL’s most illustrious franchises.

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