The Pittsburgh Steelers made the postseason for the second straight year during the 2015 season, and with multiple key players returning in 2016, Pittsburgh should be considered one of the early favorites in the AFC. The Steelers play in a loaded division with the Cincinnati Bengals and Baltimore Ravens, and although the Ravens had a down season last year, expect them to bounce back, as injuries were a major reason for their struggles.
The Steelers front office knows how competitive the AFC North division is, and while they have a talented roster returning in 2016, they will look to add pieces that can make an impact in the upcoming 2016 NFL Draft. The Steelers have multiple needs, as they head into the draft with both their secondary and offensive line needing help.
Florida Gators safety Keanu Neal is reportedly "in the conversation" for the Steelers' first round pick, and Pittsburgh is clearly taking an interest in revamping their secondary, as Houston cornerback William Jackson III reportedly impressed the franchise with his pro day workout.
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, general manager Kevin Colbert, and secondary coach Carnell Lake all met with Jackson the night before his pro day to have dinner with the coveted corner. "For the head coach to come down here, that's a big deal," Jackson said. "I was like, 'Wow, they're here to see me.' It was crazy, I never thought I'd be in that predicament. That was a great atmosphere and a great dinner. It's a blessing to go from not talked about to talked about"
The Cougars corner's draft stock has been steadily rising since the end of the college football season, and some mock drafts have the Steelers taking him with the 25th overall pick. The 6-foot, 189-pound prospect shined in his senior season, recording 43 total tackles and five intereceptions with two defensive touchdowns. Jackson played his best game for the Cougars at the most important time, as he recorded 10 tackles, as well as two interceptions against Florida State in the Peach Bowl.
The cornerback prospect checks all the boxes that teams look for, as he has the size and instincts that franchises want in a first round cornerback and led the nation in passes defended with 28 in his senior season. "Jackson is definitely a first round draft pick," one AFC scout said. "He's a shutdown guy, for sure."
It will be interesting to see where Jackson falls in this year's draft, but if he is still on the board at 25, it wouldn't be surprising if Pittsburgh decided to go in that direction. The Cougars star corner has several official visits scheduled prior to the draft and is likely rising on most team's draft boards, as he is expected have an immediate impact in Week One for an NFL franchise.
