This article is part of our NFL Draft series.
Areas of Need
1. Wide Receiver
The Steelers finally seem to have some answers along the offensive line and can now focus on finding playmakers for Ben Roethlisberger. With Emmanuel Sanders and Jerricho Cotchery both slated for unrestricted free agency, wide receiver stands out as the biggest need on offense. Sanders, Antonio Brown, and 2013 third-round pick Markus Wheaton are all quick, small receivers. A bigger widout could take Pittsburgh's offense to the next level.
2. (3-4) Defensive End
The Steelers are set at one defensive end spot with Cameron Heyward but may need to address the other side. Brett Keisel and Ziggy Hood are both headed for free agency, and Keisel is 35 years old, while Hood has mostly disappointed since he was selected in the first round of the 2009 draft.
3. Safety
Pittsburgh mainstays Troy Polamalu and Ryan Clark won't be around forever, and Clark is actually set to become a free agent this offseason. He seems like a good bet to return, yet nothing can be promised given the Steelers' precarious cap situation. The once-formidable secondary trio of Polamalu, Clark, and cornerback Ike Taylor isn't quite what it used to be.
Potential targets
*Denotes player who declared with eligibility remaining
1. Wide Receiver
First round
-Mike Evans*, Texas A&M (6-5, 225)
-Kelvin Benjamin*, Florida State (6-5, 235)
-Marqise Lee*, Southern California, (6-0, 195)
-Allen Robinson*, Penn State (6-3, 210)
Second round
-Jordan Matthews, Vanderbilt
Areas of Need
1. Wide Receiver
The Steelers finally seem to have some answers along the offensive line and can now focus on finding playmakers for Ben Roethlisberger. With Emmanuel Sanders and Jerricho Cotchery both slated for unrestricted free agency, wide receiver stands out as the biggest need on offense. Sanders, Antonio Brown, and 2013 third-round pick Markus Wheaton are all quick, small receivers. A bigger widout could take Pittsburgh's offense to the next level.
2. (3-4) Defensive End
The Steelers are set at one defensive end spot with Cameron Heyward but may need to address the other side. Brett Keisel and Ziggy Hood are both headed for free agency, and Keisel is 35 years old, while Hood has mostly disappointed since he was selected in the first round of the 2009 draft.
3. Safety
Pittsburgh mainstays Troy Polamalu and Ryan Clark won't be around forever, and Clark is actually set to become a free agent this offseason. He seems like a good bet to return, yet nothing can be promised given the Steelers' precarious cap situation. The once-formidable secondary trio of Polamalu, Clark, and cornerback Ike Taylor isn't quite what it used to be.
Potential targets
*Denotes player who declared with eligibility remaining
1. Wide Receiver
First round
-Mike Evans*, Texas A&M (6-5, 225)
-Kelvin Benjamin*, Florida State (6-5, 235)
-Marqise Lee*, Southern California, (6-0, 195)
-Allen Robinson*, Penn State (6-3, 210)
Second round
-Jordan Matthews, Vanderbilt (6-3, 205)
-Jarvis Landry*, LSU (6-0, 195)
-Davante Adams*, Fresno State (6-2, 215)
Fourth round and later
-Brandon Coleman*, Rutgers (6-5, 220)
-Robert Herron, Wyoming (5-9, 190)
-Cody Latimer*, Indiana (6-2, 215)
-Jalen Saunders, Oklahoma (5-9, 160)
2. (3-4) Defensive End
First round
-Stephon Tuitt*, Notre Dame (6-6, 310)
-Timmy Jernigan*, Florida State (6-2, 300)
-Ra'Shede Hageman, Minnesota (6-6, 310)
Second round
-Ego Ferguson*, LSU (6-2, 310)
-Will Sutton, Arizona State (6-0, 305)
-Dominique Easley, Florida (6-2, 285)
-Aaron Donald, Pitt (6-0, 285)
-Kelcy Quarles*, South Carolina (6-3, 300)
-Anthony Johnson*, LSU (6-2, 295)
Fourth round and later
-Ed Stinson, Alabama (6-3, 290)
-Jeoffrey Pagan*, Alabama (6-3, 290)
-George Uko*, USC (6-3, 275)
-Jay Bromley, Syracuse (6-3, 285)
3. Safety
First round
-Calvin Pryor*, Louisville (6-2, 210)
-Ha'Sean Clinton-Dix*, Alabama (6-1, 210)
Second round
-Deone Bucannon, Washington State (6-1, 215)
-Ahmad Dixon, Baylor (6-0, 205)
-Dion Bailey*, USC (6-0, 200)
Fourth round and later
-Terrence Brooks, Florida State (5-11, 200)
-Kenny Ladler, Vanderbilt (6-0, 205)
-Marqueston Huff, Wyoming (5-11, 195)
-Craig Loston, LSU (6-1, 210)
-Isaiah Lewis, Michigan State (5-10, 210)
-Dezmen Southward, Wisconsin (6-1, 210)
