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NFL Draft: Which teams improved the most?

By Ryan Phillips

Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell addresses the crowd in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell addresses the crowd in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Bud Dupree (Kentucky) poses for a photo after being selected as the number 22nd overall pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Bud Dupree (Kentucky) poses for a photo after being selected as the number 22nd overall pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /

Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers had a lot of holes to address defensively this offseason and they hit a home run on draft weekend by filling a ton of spots. They got a gift when Kentucky’s Bud Dupree dropped to No. 22 and he should thrive as an edge rusher in Pittsburgh’s defensive scheme. With James Harrison getting older (he’s 37) Dupree immediately provides a long-term successor who could make an impact as a pass rusher this year.

The secondary was a key issue for the Steelers and they got an interception-happy cornerback at No. 56 with the selection of Ole Miss’ Senquez Golson. Pittsburgh also got a solid but not spectacular corner in Ohio State’s Doran Grant in the fourth round. The Steelers also managed to grab Louisville safety Gerod Holliman in the seventh round, all he did was lead college football in interceptions last year with 14.

The most interesting pickup of the team’s draft will be Auburn wideout Sammie Coates, who was taken in the third round. Coates has all the physical tools you could want in a wide receiver, but has poor ball skills and could struggle to pick up the nuances of the position in the NFL.

Overall, the Steelers added a ton of talent and filled holes on both sides of the ball. It was a fantastic draft.

Next: New York Jets

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