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ESPN analyst points out NFC team that could thwart the Steelers' first round draft plans
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

It's fine and dandy to make mock drafts where teams select players that fit their needs. 

But one thing we know about night one of the NFL Draft, is that things are going to change in terms of draft order, largely via trade. 

And according to Bill Barnwell of ESPN, that may very well happen regarding the Pittsburgh Steelers:

Steelers named tradeback candidates 

What they should do: Trade down.

The Steelers are perilously thin at cornerback, wide receiver and along the offensive line. They fielded the oldest defense in football last season, and while they moved on from corner Patrick Peterson, there are five starters on that side of the ball who will be on the wrong side of 30 by the end of the season. Pittsburgh is still great at drafting and developing homegrown defensive talent, as we saw with defensive tackle Keeanu Benton and corner Joey Porter Jr. last year; they just need more of it.

The other position the Steelers are predicted to address most often in mock drafts is the interior of their offensive line, where center Mason Cole was released this offseason. They can hit center later in this draft, and adding extra picks would allow them to both add a pivot and much-needed defensive depth. -Bill Barnwell, ESPN

I see where Barnwell is coming from with his rationale, but the position he didn't mention, which happens to be gaining the most traction in terms of a target for Pittsburgh, is offensive tackle. 

If the Steelers trade out of their 20th overall pick, they will be punting on solving their tackle issue, and doing so in one of the more stacked tackle classes in some time. 

So unless we're talking about moving back a few spots where ample prospects are still available, I would bet Pittsburgh is more likely to move up for the tackle or player of their choice. 

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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