NFL Draft 2019: 5 sleepers the Steelers should draft in the first round

By Joe Romano | Apr 10, 2019

PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 30: JuJu Smith-Schuster #19 of the Pittsburgh Steelers reacts after a 11 yard touchdown reception in the third quarter during the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Heinz Field on December 30, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

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FORT WORTH, TX – NOVEMBER 24: TCU Horned Frogs defensive end Ben Banogu (15) rushes around the edge during the football game between the Baylor Bears and TCU Horned Frogs on November 24, 2017 at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, TX. (Photo by Andrew Dieb/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Ben Banogu, EDGE, TCU

At the bottom of the first round there are a bunch of teams with needs on the edge. Pittsburgh is certainly one of those teams. A swing and miss on Bud Dupree has left a hole opposite T.J. Watt on the edge. Pittsburgh understands that they need a compliment to make Watt his best and get to the quarterback. With a weak secondary currently in place, a strong pass rush can help this defense a ton.

Ben Banogu is one of the most athletic prospects at the edge position in the entire 2019 NFL Draft. He’s getting some love pushing him up the board. He’s an active pass rusher who’s already got a wide variety of pass rush moves. One of the best testers at the combine with elite vertical jump(40″), 40-yard dash (4.62s) and broad jump (132″), his stock is sky high. He’s not a strictly vertical plane athlete either, Banogu posted 80 percent scoring in the agility testing in Indianapolis according to MockDraftable.

Behind receiver the edge position is the second highest prioritized position of the Steelers’ pre-draft visits. They’ve brought in seven prospects that play the edge position. Banogu was one of those visits for Pittsburgh. While the first round seems rich for him, a run on pass rushers early in the draft is going to push players up the board. Banogu would be an ideal partner for Watt and give Pittsburgh another twitchy athlete attacking quarterbacks from the edge.

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