32 for 32: NFL Draft Predictions for the Steelers

It was a lost year for the Steelers, with all the players lost due to injury. The offense could find no traction and players that many owners were excited about failed to meet expectations. But with the return of Ben Roethlisberger, can the Steelers return to the level of high-octane offense that we have been accustomed to seeing? Will the NFL Draft also welcome in talent to further this team's potential? Let's find out in our latest edition of the NFL Draft 32 for 32 series.

The focus of this series is to dive into each NFL team's needs to project their draft picks in this year's draft, which will go on as planned in late April. I will predict the first three selections and give fantasy football owners perspective on how this affects fantasy value. Whether it be a positional player or players on the defensive side of the ball, all selections made can help in some way when it comes to fantasy scoring.

As we have seen in recent memory, some rookies can enter this league and make an immediate impact. Based on the appropriate landing spot, this year's crop of prospects has the potential to create some very fantasy-friendly situations. When you're done here, look back on our previous installments by checking the links at the bottom of this page.

2019 Review

Once Ben Roethlisberger went down with an elbow injury in Week 2, it sent the Steelers offense into a tailspin. Second-year QB Mason Rudolph got the first crack at the starting job, and although we saw flashes, he failed to bring any excitement to fantasy owners. In college, he had a very lively arm, but in his first extended action in the pros, he finished with the lowest grade in the league in throws 10-plus yards down the field. Coupled with poor pocket presence and a large amount of turnover-worthy plays, Rudolph became an albatross to players like JuJu Smith-Schuster.

Mixed in during Rudolph's time off the field, was little-known Devlin Hodges. As much as Rudolph struggled to find consistency under center, it was clear that Hodges was not ready for NFL action. With Roethlisberger expected back to right the ship this year, the hope is that things will get back to normal for the Steelers offense. But from a fantasy perspective, Roethlisberger should be viewed in the tier that is a high-end QB2. He presents some upside, but the fear is that his best fantasy days are behind him.

In the backfield, many were expecting a big season from James Conner. But the six missed games and finish as the RB34 in fantasy was a true letdown for owners that pulled the trigger on him early on. Even while on the field, it was apparent that Conner was playing banged up for much of the year. His 464 yards were very low for 10 games, and the 14 avoided tackles show a back that had lost some elusiveness to his running style. Conner will enter 2020 healthy although his fantasy stock has dipped dramatically. With the offense potentially being back on the rise, Conner could be a low-end RB2 in drafts that returns heavily on the investment made by fantasy owners.

Behind Conner, you had Jaylen Samuels and Benny Snell seeing extended work in his absence. Samuels proved to be primarily the Steelers option as the pass-catching back in the offense with 47 receptions, while Snell looked like a plodding back without much pop in his running style. Samuels once again should be viewed as a handcuff to Conner, or a late grab in PPR formats. But with Snell, his audition a season ago may have been all the team needed to see. I could see this team jumping back into the running back position in this draft, making Snell potentially expendable and a player off the fantasy radar.

The other big letdown in the Steelers 2019 offense was the performance of Smith-Schuster. The loss of Roethlisberger had a major effect on his production (42 receptions for 552 yards and three touchdowns). But he, like Conner, spent time off the field (12 games played) with multiple injuries. It was clear that he wasn't yet comfortable holding the mantle as the team's WR1 following the departure of Antonio Brown, as he was consistently hounded by double-coverage. He was also a forgotten man in the red-zone (13 targets), which is what helped to limit his scoring potential.

With a healthy offseason and a return of Roethlisberger, Smith-Schuster could become a post-hype sleeper as his draft value has taken a major hit. Being looked at as a low-end WR2 currently, he has proven before that he has what it takes to play up to a WR1 level and could do so again in 2020.

Behind Smith-Schuster is the intriguing Diontae Johnson. Johnson, the team's leading receiver (in catches), had an up-and-down campaign a year ago as he came out of the gates quick, had a mid-season lull, and finished on a high note. But with his 59 receptions and 680 yards, he failed to log a 100-yard game and finished with a high of only 84 yards (Week 8). The team-leading five touchdown receptions were just enough to keep him in the minds of fantasy owners during the season. Johnson will be a hot name to watch in drafts as his stock is being pushed up by the fantasy community currently and may settle in somewhere around the WR4 level.

James Washington seems to have found his place in this offense as the big-play threat with a team-high four catches of 40-plus yards and 16.70 yards per catch. Washington could be an end of the draft pickup that should be towards the end of your bench and a solid matchup play. Watch for newly acquired Eric Ebron, as he is already being forgotten in drafts and could push for a TE1 finish, especially with Roethlisberger throwing the ball his way in the red zone.

As for the draft, the Steelers have several needs that they need to address. As I previously mentioned, a re-visit to the running back position would not be out of the question with Conner entering the last year of his deal. With how poor Mason Rudolph looked at times last season, the tea leaves may read for this team to try, once again to find an heir apparent for Roethlisberger. On the defensive side of the ball, after the acquisition of Minkah Fitzpatrick, the team proved that they have an elite level unit. But finding depth for the defensive line and linebacking group could be viewed as a necessity pick.

Pittsburgh Steelers - 2020 Outlook

TEAM GRADES
Offense: 59.9 (32nd)
Defense: 91.0 (1st)
Overall: 81.3 (16th)

*Grades determined from 2019 Player Ratings

TEAM NEEDS
OT, LB, QB, RB

First Selection (2.17)

Prince Tega Wanogho, OT Auburn

With little experience heading into college, Wanogho proved that he can be a quick learner from his time at Auburn. He may be lacking with arm length, but he makes up for it with instinctive, quick hands. He possesses the desired athletic traits for the position and is capable of adjusting his hips/feet as a positional blocker. He is a smooth lineman that can climb and adjust on the second level easily.

He may never become a plus run blocker, but as he gains experience, he will become adequate in that area. He will likely be inconsistent at times but overall will do a fine job at keeping the QB upright. He is a natural left tackle, but I expect to see him compete against Matt Feiler for the starting right tackle job.

Second Selection (3.38)

Leki Fotu, DT Utah

Fotu was forced into trying to make plays in Utah's defensive scheme, but as a pro, he will likely use his massive frame to fit in as a two-gap nose tackle. He has impressive athleticism for his size and couples that with thick arms to eat up blocks and make plays. He will dominate single blocks and create a crease to get into the backfield.

His initial pop off the snap can jar opposition if they are too upright. His value may be capped as he is limited as a rusher, but that could be ironed out by a strong Steelers coaching staff. Look for him to be a rotational player early on, but could round out into a factor in the Steelers scheme.

Third Selection (4.18)

Jacob Eason, QB Washington

Call this a hunch pick if you'd like, but I'm certain that the Steelers front office now know they have no QB to count on if Roethlisberger were to go down again. With several QBs in this class that could prove to be serviceable, the team may take a swipe here with Eason. He is a high-ceiling/low-floor prospect that could prove to be the next guy for the team or another miss. He has the elite size and arm talent that scouts love. But his issues with pocket presence and getting through progressions can be headaches for coaches.

He plays with a sense of rhythm and when he is on, he can be one of the better QBs in the league. The problem is getting that out of him consistently. He lacks mobility in and out of the pocket, limiting his ability to extend plays. He is a pro-style, play-action-based quarterback that has some value as a starting QB in the league. He will just need some grooming to get to that level. Based on the landing spot, he, of course, has little value early on in fantasy. But if he were to work into the starting gig once Roethlisberger was gone, his stock in dynasty would be very intriguing.

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