The Steelers have the No. 28 pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. That said, this isn't a luxury draft for a franchise that finished 13-3 before its loss to Jacksonville in the AFC divisional playoffs.
Veteran quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is inching closer to retirement, and there is uncertainty around running back Le'Veon Bell's contract situation. The defense has a few holes to fill, too.
With that in mind, Sporting News breaks down the Steelers' 2018 NFL Draft outlook, including needs, first-round possibilities, Day 2 and Day 3 plans and a few sleepers.
SIGN UP to stream the NFL Draft LIVE on DAZN in Canada
Steelers 2018 draft picks
| Round 1 | No. 28 |
| Round 2 | No. 60 |
| Round 3 | No. 92 |
| Round 5 | No. 148 (from SF) |
| Round 5 | No. 165 |
| Round 7 | No. 220 (from NYG) |
| Round 7 | No. 246 |
Steelers draft needs
Linebacker: Ryan Shazier's injury left a huge void in the Steelers' defense last season. Pittsburgh allowed 28 points per game in five games after Shazier's injury, and that included the 45-42 loss to the Jaguars in the playoffs. The Steelers love their linebackers, and there are good ones available in this class.
MORE: How did a Central Ohio suburb with a population of 20,000 produce six active NFL players?
Quarterback: Roethlisberger is 36, and while retirement talks have not yet reached the Favre-like hysteria, they're close though. It doesn't hurt to have a quarterback of the future waiting, and there are good options that should be available.
Running back: Just in case the Bell situation reaches a worst-case scenario, it doesn't hurt to have a backup plan. This draft is flush with middle-round running backs who could fulfill that need.
First-round plan
No. 28: Leighton Vander Esch, LB, Boise State
He's an all-around linebacker who totaled 141 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 4.0 sacks and two interceptions last season for the Broncos. He also tests comparable to Shazier, especially in the three-cone drill and the 20-yard shuttle. That's exactly what Pittsburgh needs in this draft. Alabama's Rashaan Evans would be the other option at No. 28.
Second-guessing that plan
What if those top linebackers are gone by the time the Steelers are on the clock? This could be the spot where Pittsburgh takes a quarterback. Oklahoma State's Mason Rudolph should be available, but if Louisville's Lamar Jackson is there, too, that's a pick the Steelers should entertain.
STEELERS DRAFT RUMORS:
Why Jackson makes sense for Pittsburgh
Don't act surprised if ...
The Steelers wait on linebacker. Pittsburgh has drafted a linebacker in the first round in four of the last five drafts, including Jarvis Jones (2013), Ryan Shazier (2014), Bud Durpee (2015) and T.J. Watt (2017). Then again, the position remains the focal point of the Steelers' defense.
Day 2 plan
Stanford safety Justin Reid is a popular second-round pick across several mock drafts, and he would be a good fit for Pittsburgh. As for running back, this would be a good time for the Steelers to draft Rashaad Penny, an all-around college star back who finished with 2,974 all-purpose yards at San Diego State last season. That's 645 more all-purpose yards than Penn State's Saquon Barkley.
MOCK DRAFT 2018:
Steelers go defense in Round 1
Day 3 sleeper
Troy Fumagalli, TE, Wisconsin
Jesse James has developed into a reliable tight end, and Fumigalli is a similar sure-handed player who will develop into a safety valve for NFL quarterbacks. He's also good in the red zone. This would be a sound value pick for Pittsburgh in Round 5.
Steelers 2018 NFL Draft: Final thought
Tommy Maddox was 33 when Roethlisberger took over as starter for the Steelers in 2004. Keep in mind Favre turned 36 the year the Packers drafted Aaron Rodgers in the first round in 2005. Pittsburgh drafting a first-round QB likely would cause friction, but it's OK to start thinking about life after Roethlisberger.
