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5 Players the Pittsburgh Steelers Should Consider Drafting in 1st Round

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5 Players the Pittsburgh Steelers Should Consider Drafting in 1st Round

Pittsburgh Steelers vs Baltimore Ravens AFC Wildcard Playoff 2014
Geoff Burke - USA Today Sports

The Pittsburgh Steelers are well known for building championship-level squads through the NFL Draft. This year, with the 22nd overall selection, it will be tough for the Steelers to harvest first-year starting potential player with their first-round pick. However, few teams excel at finding NFL-potential on draft day like the Pittsburgh Steelers. Here are five players the black and yellow should consider using their first selection on.

5) Danny Shelton - NT- Washington University - Sr. - 6-foot-2 - 343 pounds

Danny Shelton Washington University
Otto Greule Jr. - Getty Images

5) Danny Shelton - NT- Washington University - Sr. - 6-foot-2 - 343 pounds

Danny Shelton Washington University
Otto Greule Jr. - Getty Images

Danny Shelton is one of the highest-rated defensive tackles in the upcoming NFL Draft. The Steelers' 3-4 defense needs a big-bodied nose tackle who can help win those rugged battles at the line-of-scrimmage. Shelton resembles a Casey Hampton-like player, who despite his size, is very agile in pursuit. Shelton racked up 52 tackles including 16.5 for loss his senior season. The pass-rush starts with the D-line and Shelton is the perfect fit.

4) Trae Waynes - CB - Michigan State - Jr. - 6-foot-1 - 183 pounds

Trae Waynes Michigan State vs. Baylor Goodyear Cotton Bowl 2014
Ronald Martinez - Getty Images

4) Trae Waynes - CB - Michigan State - Jr. - 6-foot-1 - 183 pounds

Trae Waynes Michigan State vs. Baylor Goodyear Cotton Bowl 2014
Ronald Martinez - Getty Images

Trae Waynes may very well be the best corner in the draft. The Steelers desperately need help in their secondary, but it is unlikely Waynes will fall outside the top 10. It is unusual for the Steelers to trade up in the draft, but Waynes may just be the type of player worthy of such a move. He racked up 46 tackles, three interceptions, eight pass deflections and one sack during the 2014 campaign; he has the potential to be a shutdown corner.

3) Anthony Harris - SS - Virginia University - Sr. - 6-foot-1 - 190 pounds

Anthony Harris Virgina vs. BYU 2014
Gene Sweeney Jr. - Getty Images

3) Anthony Harris - SS - Virginia University - Sr. - 6-foot-1 - 190 pounds

Anthony Harris Virgina vs. BYU 2014
Gene Sweeney Jr. - Getty Images

Anthony Harris is coming off a 108 tackle season with tw interceptions and 10 pass deflections; not too shabby for a college safety. He is a bit small to play safety in the NFL and isn't a heavy-hitting player either. However, he is a great open-field tackler with tremendous pass-coverage skills.The Steelers would be wise to draft Harris late in the first round and convert him to cornerback. After all, the Steelers love sure-tackling cornerbacks.

2) Maxx Williams - TE - Minnesota - RS So. - 6-foot-4 - 210 pounds

Maxx Williams Minnesota vs. Michigan
Leon Halip - Getty Images

2) Maxx Williams - TE - Minnesota - RS So. - 6-foot-4 - 210 pounds

Maxx Williams Minnesota vs. Michigan
Leon Halip - Getty Images

Everyone knows the Steelers' defense needs help, but Maxx Williams is a rare talent. Heath Miller is getting older and both Matt Spaeth and Michael Palmer are free agents. Williams is classic hybrid tight-end like Miller. He excels in the passing game as a terrific check-down receiver, but he can run and pass block as good as any tight end in the NFL today. If the former Golden Gopher is still on the board, it might be wise to take him late.

1) Malcom Brown - DT - Texas - Sr. -6-foot-4 - 320 pounds

Malcom Brown Texas
John Reiger - USA Today Sports

1) Malcom Brown - DT - Texas - Sr. -6-foot-4 - 320 pounds

Malcom Brown Texas
John Rieger - USA Today Sports

The secondary definitely helps in Pittsburgh, but so does the defensive line. Danny Shelton is a prototype nose-tackle that may not fall very far in the draft. Brown is the next best fit for Pittsburgh. A 2014 All-American and Nagurski and Outland trophy finalist, Brown has decent size, but elite quickness for a defensive lineman. If Shelton and top-level corners and safeties are off the board at 22, then Pittsburgh should consider drafting him.

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