2018 NFL mock draft: Saquon Barkley heads to Giants

By Brad Weiss | Feb 14, 2018

GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 30: Running back Saquon Barkley #26 of the Penn State Nittany Lions runs the football 92 yards to score a touchdown against the Washington Huskies during the first half of the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 30, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images) /

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AUSTIN, TX – APRIL 15: Malik Jefferson #46 of the Texas Longhorns calls defensive plays during the Orange-White Spring Game at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on April 15, 2017 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

28. player. 55. . Linebacker. Texas. Malik Jefferson

The Pittsburgh Steelers attempted to set up a rematch with the New England Patriots in the AFC title game this past season, but their bid fell short in the Divisional Round. The Steelers suffered a very surprising loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars at home, and while it ended their season, it won’t end their run as one of the dominant teams in the conference. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is back for more in 2018, and the tandem of Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell are still two of the better playmakers this league has to offer.

When it comes time for them to draft in April, they should look to add more youth to the defensive side of the ball. The Steelers continue to get younger on defense, and drafting a player like Malik Jefferson from Texas will go a long way in them continuing to get better. Jefferson is one of the better inside linebackers this draft class has to offer, and that is a position of need for the Steelers as they head into the 2018 NFL season.

Rookie T.J. Watt was terrific for Pittsburgh last season, and teaming him with a player like Jefferson will give the Steelers a solid tandem at linebacker. If the Steelers are going to beat the Patriots eventually, they need to add to the defense, so a linebacker this late in round one makes a lot of sense. Sure, they need answers for what they will do once Big Ben retires, but they can figure that out later in the draft.

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