by Article by Ben Hughes
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The Steelers and Browns had very different seasons last year. The Browns came into the year as favorites in the division and in the AFC, but that did not last long. Injuries and under achievement from the entire team led to this type of season. For the Steelers, they did not have high expectations for the season.
A quarterback at the end of his career and a very young offensive line was the reason for this. The Steelers exceeded expectations and ended up sneaking into the playoffs as a seven seed. Both teams are looking to grow from last season and the draft will be a huge part in that.
For the Browns they are in a very interesting spot. They traded most of their draft capital for a top QB in this league in Deshaun Watson, but still have enough picks this year to fill their needs. Wide receiver depth is their biggest need.
They did acquire Amari Cooper in a very cheap deal for the browns just having to send a 5th round pick, but Donavon Peoples-Jones is not the best option at wide receiver two.
This draft class has some of the best wide receiver depth in recent years so it should not be an issue for them to draft one. I could see a player such as Skyy Moore or Jalen Tolbert being selected in the second round.
Another need for the team would be interior defensive line. The team has one of the best defensive ends in the league with Myles Garrett and a trade for Chase Winovich solidifies the ends on the defense.
The Browns do not have a great interior player at the moment and do not have much depth. Travis Jones or Logan Hall would be great options to fill this need. They have plenty of later round picks to add depth at positions like safety, offensive line and tight end as last season’s injuries showed the lack of depth at the positions.
For the Steelers they have glaring holes that need filled by the draft. This team has plenty of holes and need players at quarterback, offensive line, interior dline, safety, and corner. I can see the Steelers going quarterback in the first round.
With the quarterbacks in the draft class not being a top talent more than likely one of the top two will be available at pick 20. The quarterbacks are Malik Willis and Kenny Pickett. If one of those two players are available, I see the Steelers selecting them.
The Steelers did sign Mitch Trubisky in free agency, but he is not the long-term answer for the team. If those two quarterbacks happen to be gone, I can see the Steelers looking at a few players.
Players like Daxton Hill or Andrew Booth will fill huge holes in the teams secondary. One of the Georgia defensive line men, Jordan Davis, or Devonte Wyatt could also go at this spot.
The Steelers could also address the quarterback position in the later rounds with players like Desmond Ridder, Matt Corral or Sam Howell. With a pick in every round of the draft, I see the Steelers addressing many different positions with their picks and trying to improve the solid roster they have now.
These Rivals have very different needs and goals from the draft. Both teams will have new look rosters coming into next season and will be battling for the division title in a tough AFC North.
