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Apr 25, 2018 By Jim Wexell for The 5 min read

I know. I’m running late with this thing. Everyone in Pittsburgh has made a draft prediction but me.

Because I can’t decide.

Maybe if I just start writing it’ll come to me. And to ease the burden, I’ll predict what the Steelers will do, and what I would do.

FIRST ROUND

LetÄ¢¹½ÊÓƵ eliminate the following:

n Leighton Vander Esch, ILB — The Cowboys’ front office is leaking like they’re the Steelers of the 1990s. If the Cowboys don’t draft LVE, Jerry Jones is running the greatest smokescreen of all time.

n Rashaan Evans, ILB — By now, if a linebacker who refused to run his 40 (and angered teams) was dropping in value — like an Alabama LB is wont to do this time of year — we would’ve heard. Instead, Evans is moving up the rankings of the best-connected analysts in the biz. He won’t last until 28.

n Isaiah Wynn, OL — ThereÄ¢¹½ÊÓƵ no sense pouring more money into this position when Mike Munchak can develop a fifth-rounder.

n Ronnie Harrison, S — Safety really isn’t a great need, but I have three on my list. LetÄ¢¹½ÊÓƵ cut the slowest one first.

n Da’Ron Payne, DL — I don’t see him as a nose tackle, and, as with the OL, thereÄ¢¹½ÊÓƵ already enough money sunk into this position.

n Isaiah Oliver, CB — He could stand for any of four exceptional cornerbacks who could fall after Denzel Ward, but the Steelers have a full deck of cornerbacks. If they’re going to draft a defensive back, it’ll be a safety.

n Justin Reid, S — Hardest cut of all, and really for no good reason other than I’m predicting they may not want to risk chaos. This playerÄ¢¹½ÊÓƵ older brother is in the process of being Kaepernick-ed, and this player is Stanford smart. This player might have the guts to make a solo stand. Not with another safety on the board whoÄ¢¹½ÊÓƵ a more natural center fielder and also returns punts.

First-round prediction: Jessie Bates, FS, Wake Forest.

I would take: Mason Rudolph, QB, Oklahoma State.

SECOND ROUND

There are five interesting inside linebackers here, which minimized the need to trade up in the first round. If you want to try to replace Ryan Shazier with a speedball, take Malik Jefferson. Someone nearly as fast, but a better tackler, is an underrated 21-year-old who came out of Chuck NollÄ¢¹½ÊÓƵ high school.

Second-round prediction: Jerome Baker, ILB, Ohio State.

I would take: Uchenna Nwosu, ILB/OLB, USC.

THIRD ROUND

I would be shocked if Ogbonnia Okoronkwo is still on the board. Talk about a sprint to the podium. I’d even enjoy me some Hercules Mata’afa at edge rusher if I couldn’t get Obo. But letÄ¢¹½ÊÓƵ have even more fun. LetÄ¢¹½ÊÓƵ go with the one-handed pass-rusher with 4.3 speed and infectious energy. The Steelers have been looking for special-teamers in free agency. Well, hereÄ¢¹½ÊÓƵ your future teams captain.

Third-round prediction: Shaquem Griffin, OLB, Central Florida.

I would take: M.J. Stewart, CB/S, North Carolina.

FIFTH ROUND (A)

OK, Kevin Colbert, you’ve been the master of drafting wide receivers late in the draft. Can’t be sure if this guy will be available, because heÄ¢¹½ÊÓƵ so very scary after the catch, but heÄ¢¹½ÊÓƵ small and a bit injury-prone.

Fifth-round prediction: Richie James, WR, Middle Tennessee State.

I would take: Tre’Quan Smith, WR, Central Florida.

FIFTH ROUND (B)

The offensive line needs depth and I’m going all in on Munch. If anyone can coach up a guy whoÄ¢¹½ÊÓƵ played only rugby, itÄ¢¹½ÊÓƵ him. And, if you’ve seen tape of this manÄ¢¹½ÊÓƵ mobility, size and power on the pitch, you would agree with me.

Fifth-round prediction: Jordan Mailata, T, Australia.

I would take: R.J. Prince, G/T, North Carolina.

SEVENTH ROUND

The second pick of the seventh round should net a holdover sixth-rounder, so letÄ¢¹½ÊÓƵ shoot for one of the fastest (and toughest) running backs in the draft before wrapping it up with a Bobcat tackling machine.

Seventh-round predictions: Phillip Lindsay, RB, Colorado; Quentin Poling, ILB, Ohio.

I would take: Will Dissly, TE, Washington; Travin Howard, ILB/S, TCU.

STEELERS DRAFT

1. Jessie Bates, FS

2. Jerome Baker, ILB

3. Shaquem Griffin, OLB

5. Richie James, WR

5. Jordan Mailata, OT

7. Phillip Lindsay, RB

7. Quentin Poling, ILB

MY DRAFT

1. Mason Rudolph, QB

2. Uchenna Nwosu, ILB/OLB

3. M.J. Stewart, CB/S

5. Tre’Quan Smith, WR

5. R.J. Prince, G/T

7. Will Dissly, TE

7. Travin Howard, ILB/S