Steelers select perfect day three draft pick via PFF

The Pittsburgh Steelers may only have three picks on the final day of the draft, with the same amount in the top 50 sure to be the ones that steal the show.  But day three of the draft is where teams are made, especially when you consider teams like Pittsburgh who can draft and develop […]

Rob Gregson NFL News Writer
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Steelers Brodric Martin day three PFF pick
© Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

The Pittsburgh Steelers may only have three picks on the final day of the draft, with the same amount in the top 50 sure to be the ones that steal the show. 

But day three of the draft is where teams are made, especially when you consider teams like Pittsburgh who can draft and develop at a high rate of efficiency.

So with PFF releasing their best day three fits in the NFL Draft, their choice for the Steelers is sure to catch your eye. 

Brodric Martin, DL, Western Kentucky 

Mike Renner's blurb on why Martin is the best day three fit for the Steelers:

The Steelers love long nose tackles, and Martin fits that bill in the draft class. The 6-foot-5, 330-pounder possesses 35-inch arms that he’s only just figuring out how to use, earning a 77.5 pass-rushing grade last season. 

I would certainly echo Renner's sentiments on the Steelers here and why Martin would be an obvious fit on the Steelers defense. 

When you play the 3-4 defensive scheme that Pittsburgh employs, your nose tackle is one of the most paramount players. 

He has to do what we call the "dirty work" often two-gapping and taking on double teams so edge rushers like T.J. Watt or linebackers like Ryan Shazier can stay clean on their path to the quarterback or ball carrier. 

Whether it be recent nose tackles like Tyson Alualu or legends like Casey Heyward, it all starts in the middle. 

And when you realize that the Steelers current depth chart at nose tackle includes:

  • Breiden Fehoko
  • Armon Watts
  • Montravius Adams
  • Renell Wren

You can see how an upgrade is in store at the position. 

Martin currently sits at 227 on the consensus board, making him an obvious candidate for one of the Steelers seven-round selections. 

But there's a chance that Martin goes higher, thanks to his pass-rush presence in an overdrawn frame. 

Questions about his ability to play on all three downs and his level of competition at Western Kentucky are obvious concerns, but as stated, day three is often about betting on either traits or pure football players. 

Prospects that have both obviously wouldn't still be available, but it doesn't mean these players won't have fruitful careers. 

So if Pittsburgh does address nose tackle on day three, good luck finding a better fit than Martin.