5 Takeaways From Pittsburgh Steelers' 2016 NFL Draft

By Geoffrey Knox

What the Pittsburgh Steelers needed to fix and the direction they needed to take in the NFL Draft was very well documented. They had to get better in the secondary, better in the trenches and it wouldn’t hurt if they added depth to some areas they were already decent in.

Head coach Mike Tomlin and Co. have recently found themselves in the unfamiliar position of being the second-best team in the AFC North. They needed to focus on getting better and younger at linebacker, and it wouldn’t but to improve the secondary to prepare for the two=game series they have every year with the rival Cincinnati Bengals. Well, the draft is over now and the Steelers followed the plan we thought they would to perfection, but what does this mean for their 2016 campaign? Let’s investigate.

5 Takeaways From Pittsburgh Steelers\' 2016 NFL Draft
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5. High-Character Guys Continue To Be Priority

High-Character Guys Continue To Be Priority Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
The Steelers got to know Artie Burns at his pro day. They learned he lost his mother, is a proud father who gets along with the mother of his child and is very close to his brothers. You can't babysit athletes, but it's good when you don't need to.

5. High-Character Guys Continue To Be Priority

The Steelers got to know Artie Burns at his pro day. They learned he lost his mother, is a proud father who gets along with the mother of his child and is very close to his brothers. You can't babysit athletes, but it's good when you don't need to.

4. Offensive Line Gets Another Decent Addition

Offensive Line Gets Another Decent Addition Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
The Steelers are loaded on offense at the skill positions. Adding another lineman to solidify themselves at the point of attack won't anger any of their fans. They got tackle Jerald Hawkins in the fourth round who some saw as a day two pick.

4. Offensive Line Gets Another Decent Addition

The Steelers are loaded on offense at the skill positions. Adding another lineman to solidify themselves at the point of attack won't anger any of their fans. They got tackle Jerald Hawkins in the fourth round who some saw as a day two pick.

3. The Secondary Will Be Better

The Secondary Will Be Better Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports
Adding Burns gave them a stud at cornerback. Adding Sean Davis in the second round gives them a tackling machine they desperately needed at safety. Davis can miss a tackle here or there, but that should improve going forward with coaching.

3. The Secondary Will Be Better

Adding Burns gave them a stud at cornerback. Adding Sean Davis in the second round gives them a tackling machine they desperately needed at safety. Davis can miss a tackle here or there, but that should improve going forward with coaching.

2. Pass Rush Will Be Much Better

Pass Rush Will Be Much Better Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports
With two of their picks, the got excellent speed rushers in defensive tackle Javon Hargrave and outside linebacker Travis Feeney. They still need to improve against the run, but quarterback pressure won't be an issue.

2. Pass Rush Will Be Much Better

With two of their picks, the got excellent speed rushers in defensive tackle Javon Hargrave and outside linebacker Travis Feeney. They still need to improve against the run, but quarterback pressure won't be an issue.

1. Steelers Will Overtake The Bengals In AFC North

Steelers Will Overtake The Bengals In AFC North Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
The Baltimore Ravens have fallen on hard times. The Bengals have controlled the division recently, but last year's playoff game intensified the rivalry. The Steelers have made enough adjustments to shift the balance of power back in their favor.

1. Steelers Will Overtake The Bengals In AFC North

The Baltimore Ravens have fallen on hard times. The Bengals have controlled the division recently, but last year's playoff game intensified the rivalry. The Steelers have made enough adjustments to shift the balance of power back in their favor.

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