Fansided

2018 NFL Mock Draft: Jets, 49ers get their franchise quarterbacks

By Brad Weiss

PASADENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 09: Josh Rosen #3 of the UCLA Bruins sets to pass in the fourth quarter of the game against the Hawaii Warriors at the Rose Bowl on September 9, 2017 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 09: Josh Rosen #3 of the UCLA Bruins sets to pass in the fourth quarter of the game against the Hawaii Warriors at the Rose Bowl on September 9, 2017 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
29 of 32
Next
Alabama
FAYETTEVILLE, AR – OCTOBER 8: Da’Ron Payne #94 of the Alabama Crimson Tide on the field during a game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Razorback Stadium on October 8, 2016 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Crimson Tide defeated the Razorbacks 49-30. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
29

Da'Ron Payne

Defensive Tackle, Alabama

The Pittsburgh Steelers are once again off to a fast start in 2017, and are one of the best teams in the AFC for a second straight season. In 2016, the Steelers made it all the way to the AFC Championship Game, falling to the New England Patriots in a blowout. The team is healthy this season, and after a quick 2-0 start, they have put themselves in position to win another AFC North title.

On offense, the Steelers are set, possessing some of the best weapons in the conference. While Ben Roethlisberger may threaten retirement again after the 2017 season, the odds are he will be back. Running back Le’Veon Bell will also be back, so this team is looking at probably a two-year window to win Big Ben another ring. Bolstering the defense has got to be the priority in April.

Da’Ron Payne of the Alabama Crimson Tide is a beast up front, and would be a nice fit in Pittsburgh. He plays with the kind of tenacity that Steelers fans come to expect from their defense, and selecting him would make it two years in a row that the Steelers grabbed a defensive player in the first round. Pittsburgh will likely be picking late in round one, and a player like Payne should be available if they choose to go defense.

Home/NFL Mock Draft