BTSC’s Consensus Writer Steelers Big Board for the 2019 NFL Draft

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The BTSC staff each weighs in on a top five draft list for the 2019 Steelers.

BTSC podcasters and staff were asked to submit a personal top five Steelers “big board” for the 2019 draft. In essence, it’s a wish list of players the Steelers could realistically take (even if it would require a trade). Here are the selections:

Jeff Hartman:

1. Devin White
2. Devin Bush
3. Byron Murphy
4. Brian Burns
5. T.J. Hockenson

Bryan Anthony Davis:

1. Devin White
2. Brian Burns
3. Devin Bush
4. T.J. Hockenson
5. Greedy Williams

Dave Schofield:

1. Devin White
2. Devin Bush
3. Clelin Ferrell
4. Brian Burns
5. T.J. Hockenson

Tony Defeo:

1. Devin White
2. Clelin Ferrell
3. Byron Murphy
4. Greedy Williams
5. Deandre Baker

Lance Williams:

1. Devin Bush
2. Byron Murphy
3. Rock Ya-Sin
4. Nasir Adderley
5. Darnell Savage

Simon Chester:

1. Devin Bush
2. Byron Murphy
3. D.K. Metcalf
4. Greedy Williams
5. T.J. Hockenson

Flip Fischer:

1. T.J. Hockenson
2. Josh Allen
3. Brian Burns
4. Byron Murphy
5. Dwayne Haskins

Shannon White:

1. Devin White
2. T.J. Hockenson
3. Brian Burns
4. A.J. Brown
5. Devin Bush

Dan Sager:

1. Deandre Baker
2. Devin Bush
3. Marquise Brown
4. Clelin Ferrell
5. Greedy Williams

Taking each selection and assigning a point value (5 points for 1st selection, 4 points for 2nd, 3 points for 3rd, 2 points for 4th, and 1 point for 5th), the overall big board for BTSC is as follows:

1. Devin Bush (26)
2. Devin White (25)
3. Byron Murphy (16)
4. T.J. Hockenson (14)
5. Brian Burns (14)
6. Clelin Ferrell (9)
7. Greedy Williams (6)
8. Deandre Baker (6)

Beyond the eighth player, all other selections were only on one list.

Observations:

Devin Bush (LB, Junior, Michigan) was the top point scorer due to being on seven of the nine lists, more than any other player. Bush was also the top player on two boards. He has definitely been a name linked to the Steelers for some time.

Devin White (LB, Junior, LSU) was a close second. Only appearing on five lists, he was #1 each time he was included. The best conclusion would be that it would take a trade in order to select White, and not everyone is on board with moving up as high as it would take.

Byron Murphy (CB, Sophomore, Washington) was on as many lists as White, but did not top any of the nine lists. When it comes to cornerback, he is considered the safest pick.

T.J. Hockenson (TE, Sophomore, Iowa) appeared on six of the nine lists, second only to Devon Bush, and also topped one list. He would be a game-changing tight end, but likely will not last to pick #20.

Brian Burns (EDGE, Junior, FSU) tied with Hockenson, but appeared on fewer lists. Drafting an OLB high in 2019 has been somewhat under the radar, but looking for a future replacement/upgrade for Bud Dupree is not out of the question.

Clelin Ferrell (EDGE, Junior, Clemson) would be similar to selecting Burns. Availability will be the biggest factor if the Steelers would take either of them. Ferrell’s high character could weigh more than some realize.

Greedy Williams (CB, Sophomore, LSU) is more of a wildcard than Murphy when it comes to cornerback. The upside would be amazing, but if he doesn’t live up to expectations Steeler Nation may never trust a CB selection again. This may be why he was toward the bottom of the four lists in which he appeared.

Deandre Baker (CB, Senior, Georgia) was only on two lists, but had a first-place vote. A second-round projection in some mocks, Baker doesn’t fit the “underclassman” trend of Steelers first rounders. But this doesn’t mean the Steelers would pass on him at #20.

Linebacker, cornerback, tight end, and edge rusher were the positions which made the final cut for the Steelers first-round selection. Is there another position the Steelers should consider? Were there players missing or out of order? Which individual list is closest to yours? Make sure to leave your personal top five in the comments below!