Apr 28, 2017 4 min read

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In my initial mock draft for 2017, I had outside linebacker T.J. Watt going to the Steelers at pick No. 30.

But as the process moved on, I thought Watt’s stock was climbing as more teams looked at the tape of the redshirt junior, who came out a year early.

Yes, Watt is raw. But his upside potential is extremely high. And, at this point, he might be more of a finished product as an outside linebacker/edge rusher than Bud Dupree was a couple of years ago when the Steelers selected him in the first round.

Watching Watt play, you can see his football IQ is high.

Speaking with Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert Thursday night, I mentioned to him, as well, that since Watt has only spent a couple of seasons at linebacker after going to Wisconsin as a tight end, he doesn’t have a lot of bad habits or things that the coaching staff is going to have to correct. He’s more of a blank slate.

Add to that the fact that as a former tight end and high school quarterback, Watt has an understanding of offenses and what they’re trying to do on a given play and you might have a player who will see the field earlier than some of his critics might think.

The drawback with Watt will be that he’ll have a learning curve in the NFL against the run. But he’s a good enough athlete and seems to be a quick enough learner that he’ll pick that up well.

This was a solid pick for the Steelers, one could make some impact this season and much, much more in the future.

@ Colbert said some teams contacted the Steelers about the possibility of a making a trade for the 30th pick but the team felt more comfortable taking Watt.

Considering I didn’t think Watt would necessarily be available, staying put was probably the correct move.

We’ll see on Friday when the Steelers make three more draft selections.

@ Who might the Steelers be targeting in the second and third rounds?

I’m going to assume that some of the first-round DBs in which the team showed interest, Chidobe Awuzie, Kevin King and Budda Baker, will be gone.

Fabian Moreau of UCLA would interest me if he checks out medically OK after suffering a torn pectoral muscle at his on-campus workout. He’s got outstanding speed and is a physical corner.

Clemson’s Cordrea Tankersley also could be a player at which they could take a good, long look. So could Quincy Wilson of Florida or Michigan’s Jourdan Lewis, if his off-field domestic violence issue checks out OK.

The Steelers also had an interest in tight ends Evan Engram, who went 23rd to the Giants, and David Njoku, whom Cleveland moved up to grab at 29.

That could mean that Ashland’s massive pass catching tight end Adam Shaheen could be in play.

Inside linebacker Raekwon McMillan of Ohio State also would make some sense.

In the third round, the picks will largely depend on what happens in the second.

Cornerback will remain a priority if the Steelers pass on the group available in Round 2.

Cameron Sutton of Tennessee would be the top target, while reuniting Miami’s Corn Elder with 2016 first-round draft pick Artie Burns would be interesting, as well.

The third round also might be a good spot for the Steelers to grab a running back.

Kareem Hunt remains my top target, but Wayne Gallman, D’onta Foreman of Texas and Jeremy McNichols of Boise State should all be of interest.

At tight end, Jordan Leggett or Jonnu Smith of Florida International would be interesting, while I like Watt’s Wisconsin teammate Vince Biegel as a prospect, as well. Biegel, who played outside linebacker at Wisconsin, is a candidate to move inside in the Steelers’ 3-4.