Latest Steelers Rumblings: Lots of noise on Dennard, Gilbert, & Beckham Jr

LATEST STEELERS RUMBLINGS

Two days until the draft and it’s no secret in league circles that the Steelers covet Michigan State cornerback Darqueze Dennard. He’s this years version of Jarvis Jones where the Steelers are targeting a particular position and player. It just remains to be seen if Dennard is on the board as two cornerbacks could go in the top-14. Some teams love Dennard and others like Oklahoma State’s Justin Gilbert more.

The Steelers in dire need of a No. 1 cornerback have Dennard atop their wish list, believed to be ahead of the playmaking Gilbert based on fit, though, indications are they’d be thrilled if one of the two were there at No. 15.

There’s also some momentum of Virginia Tech’s Kyle Fuller being another cornerback the Steelers are very high on and could garner serious consideration at No. 15, though, maybe more as a trade down option.

While you can bet the Steelers will draft a receiver in one of the first two rounds, the chances appear less likely in Round 1 unless they trade down.

However, there is lots of noise in the past week connecting LSU WR Odell Beckham Jr and Steelers. The Steelers are believers that this is a draft where you can find an impact receiver in the second or third round, making them less likely to go that direction in Round 1 but the chater won’t go away of the Steelers holding Beckham near the same regard of top wide receiver prospects Sammy Watkins and Mike Evans. The Steelers aren’t the only team that feels that away, meaning Beckham Jr, would be great value at No. 15.

“We think {it’s} a great class,” Colbert said Monday of the wide receivers class. “They come in all shapes and sizes.”

Beckham Jr, 6-0, 200 lbs, plays very fast, has great explosiveness and is viewed as a perfect compliment to Antonio Brown due to his ability to stretch the field and take the top off. Scouts feel there’s little to no holes in his game and has potential to be great.

If the first round breaks like many expect it to, one view around the league is that if Dennard, Gilbert and Beckham Jr are off the board, good chance that’s the case, it increases the Steelers chances of being forced to go a bit off the board (TE, LB, take best player available) and makes the Steelers prime trade down candidates as one feeling is that they will be aggressively trying to trade out of that spot if Dennard, Gilbert and Beckham Jr are off the board.