The Pittsburgh Steelers will make their first pick in the draft, assuming they keep it, in both familiar and unfamiliar territory.

The Steelers are used to drafting in the bottom half of the first round. However, just one time since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970 have they had the No. 22 overall pick.

That came in 1978 when the Steelers selected cornerback Ron Johnson.

Johnson played all seven of his NFL seasons with the Steelers and intercepted 13 passes in 91 career games.

What is interesting, with cornerback one of the Steelers’ biggest needs, is they are right in the wheelhouse of where they picked the last two times they addressed the position in the first round.

The Steelers selected Maryland cornerback Chad Scott with the No. 24 pick in 1997 and Colorado cornerback Deon Figures with the 23rd overall pick in 1993.

As acute as the Steelers’ need is at cornerback, it is anything but a sure thing that they will use their first pick on one.

The Steelers haven’t drafted a cornerback in the first round in almost 20 years and they have just as much of a need at outside linebacker.

Then there is this from ESPN NFL draft analyst Todd McShay: “There’s a lot of good corners but there seems to be varying issues with most of them."

The good news for the Steelers is the draft appears to set up for what they need. McShay said the draft is a good one defensively, though not particularly strong at defensive tackle and inside linebacker.

The last thing the Steelers need is to add to the crowd they have at inside linebacker through the draft.

“I think when you talk about defensive front seven, it’s a really good group, especially in the perimeter,” McShay said.

The Steelers are expected to focus on defense in the offseason but coach Mike Tomlin said the team won’t “neglect” other areas as it adds pieces in free agency and the draft.

“Just because we have some outstanding, front-line guys on offense, it doesn’t mean that we can’t get better,” Tomlin said. “It might be as simple as fortifying depth in some positions.”