National Football League

Fan Mock Draft: Whom should the Steelers select No. 15 overall?

Published Apr. 18, 2014 12:08 p.m. ET

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It’s draft time! We’ve had our experts tell you who will be drafted where, but now it’s time for you to throw on your GM cap and decide for yourself. Each day we will present an argument for each player and why the respective team should pick them. Then, it’s up to you. You make the pick. The next day, we will compile the results and you can see who is off the board. Disagree with all of the options? Be sure to write in your pick below in the comments section. OK, let’s get into it. The Pittsburgh Steelers are on the clock.

The Steelers’ secondary must get younger and now they have their choice sitting at No. 15 overall.

Since no cornerback has been selected, general manager Kevin Colbert has his choice at which cornerback he covets most. However the Steelers choose to use their first-round pick, they must draft a player who can instantly produce. With holes on both sides of the ball, the Steelers must keep pace in a black-and-blue division.

If the Steelers can put together a strong draft and re-tool a once-feared defense, they’ll be right in postseason contention come January. So, who should the Steelers select with the No. 15 overall pick?

1. Houston Texans select South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney

2. St. Louis Rams select Clemson wide receiver Sammy Watkins

3. Jacksonville Jaguars select Central Florida quarterback Blake Bortles

4. Cleveland Browns select Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel

5. Oakland Raiders select Buffalo linebacker Khalil Mack

6. Atlanta Falcons select Auburn offensive tackle Greg Robinson

7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers select Texas A&M wide receiver Mike Evans

8. Minnesota Vikings select Fresno State quarterback Derek Carr

9. Buffalo Bills select Texas A&M offensive tackle Jake Matthews

10. Detroit Lions select UCLA outside linebacker Anthony Barr

11. Tennessee Titans select Louisville quarterback Teddy Bridgewater

12. New York Giants select Pittsburgh defensive tackle Aaron Donald

13. St. Louis Rams select Michigan offensive tackle Taylor Lewan

14. Chicago Bears select Alabama safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix

Oklahoma State CB Justin Gilbert

Have the cornerbacks fallen too far? Gilbert would immediately upgrade the secondary, with his blend of size and speed. Gilbert, who ran a blazing 4.37 time in the 40-yard dash, is a big bodied cornerback with exceptional ball skills.

Michigan State CB Darqueze Dennard

Dennard’s physical style of play would help him slide right into defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau’s system. At 5-foot-11, 200 pounds, Dennard looks the part and was voted as a team captain during his senior season. Dennard has the accolades to back up his success on the field as he was a unanimous first-team All American and was the Jim Thorpe Award winner.

Oregon State WR Brandin Cooks

Since he was named an All-American and the Biletnikoff Award winner, teams have taken notice of the 5-foot-10, 190-pound wide receiver. Cooks blew scouts away by running a 4.33 in the 40-yard dash, but what’s more is he’s a precise route runner. His production can’t be discounted: 128 receptions for 1,730 yards and 16 touchdowns during his junior year.

Florida State WR Kelvin Benjamin

While Cooks is much more explosive, the Steelers need to provide quarterback Ben Roethlisberger with a towering target at wide receiver. Benjamin, who measures in at 5-foot-5, 240 pounds, doesn’t have straight-line speed, but his 83-inch wingspan gives him an edge on most cover cornerbacks.

Alabama ILB C.J. Mosley

While the Steelers don’t have a need at inside linebacker, Mosley projects to be one of the best pros. The decorated All-American led Alabama in tackles during his sophomore and junior seasons. Mosley has great instincts and could be a cornerstone to this defense for years to come.

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