Welcome to the Championship Sports Media Mock Draft Series! We will be taking you through mock drafts of all 32 NFL teams from now until the draft on Thursday, April 28th. You can find all of our mocks on championshipsportsmedia.com, and follow us on Twitter for updates!
PITTSBURGH STEELERS MOCK DRAFT 3.0
It’s time for Pittsburgh Steelers Mock Draft 3.0. While there has been a lot of news about the Steelers since my last mock, the needs of the team have not really changed.
Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has officially retired from the NFL. And Pittsburgh still has a slew of other starters from this season set to be Free Agents:
- WR JuJu Smith-Schuster
- OG Trai Turner
- OT Chukwuma Okorafor
- CB Joe Haden
- CB Ahkello Witherspoon
- S Terrell Edmunds
At this time it is still unclear about all of the team’s draft picks for this April’s draft. Up in the air is seemingly the 6th round draft pick from Kansas City from the Melvin Ingram trade. In a recent podcast, Dave Bryan of Steelers Depot noted the “conditions” of the pick may make it a 7th rounder instead of a 6th rounder. In this mock I’ll go with that formula. This gives Pittsburgh a pick in rounds 1-4, and three picks in the seventh.
ASSUMPTIONS GOING INTO THE PITTSBURGH STEELERS MOCK DRAFT 3.0
In order to do this mock draft effectively, I am going to give some assumptions I am working under for what else the team might do. For example, if I don’t draft a Strong Safety, it is because I am working under the assumption, for this exercise, that the team will be re-signing safety Terrell Edmunds. These assumptions could change as the off-season unfolds, but here are the assumptions I am working with today:
- I’m an advocate for re-signing JuJu Smith-Schuster, and have thought they would do it all along. However for this mock I will assume he is not re-signed, thus making wide receiver a bigger need.
- The Steelers re-sign Safety Terrell Edmunds
- Pittsburgh spends in free agency for a starting center and boundary cornerback
- Head Coach Mike Tomlin does not want to start a rookie quarterback next year
In this post-Senior Bowl world, everyone wants the Steelers to draft a QB even more. For this mock however I will still pass on one. Although it is more in consideration for me than it was pre-Senior Bowl. As we learn more about the Steelers process for the 2022 Draft via Pro Days, I will likely end up including a Quarterback somewhere.
With all of that said here is the Pittsburgh Steelers Mock Draft 3.0!
Round 1 – Trevor Penning OT, Northern Iowa
Trevor Penning is just the kind of dominant offensive tackle the Pittsburgh Steelers need. At 6’7, 320 pounds he uses every ounce of his physicality to win at the LOS. Penning’s temperament makes him a dominant force in the run game, finishing blocks and plays with his man on the ground. He also has just enough athleticism to get out on the move for outside runs. In the passing game his size and strength provide him with a good anchor and foundation. He isn’t the most balanced player though, which could potentially cause issues with shiftier pass rushers. Overall Penning’s toughness in the run game is the number one trait Pittsburgh should be looking to add this offseason.
Round 2 – Jamaree Salyer OG, Georgia
Jamaree Salyer was one of the best offensive linemen in college football over the last couple of seasons. He has the strength and awareness to protect the quarterback from any position. Salyer predominately played left tackle for Georgia, but also played games at both guard positions. A position he is likely to switch to because of his size (6’2 with 34 inch arms). That stature plus his 320 pound frame is ideal for a Pittsburgh guard. Salyer has good enough athleticism to move around but won’t be the dynamic pulling guard we’ve seen from others. But his size, strength, and overall production would make him a welcomed addition to this Pittsburgh line.
Round 3 – Jalen Tolbert WR, Southern Alabama
Going Day 2 with a receiver here under the above assumption that Pittsburgh will be without JuJu next year. With questions marks about Dionte Johnson and Chase Claypool developing into true WR1s, the Steelers will want to make sure they add to that group. At 6’3, 190 pounds Tolbert has good size to go along with his downfield speed. He doesn’t yet have a verified 40 time but many believe it should be in the 4.4s. This is good considering the Steelers have been missing a true runaway downfield threat for years (something I wrote about here). Tolbert was a highly productive player at Southern Alabama catching 81 balls for 1,474 yards and eight touchdowns this year. Tolbert has shown the ball skills, hand catching, and varied route running abilities to win in a number of ways. He gets good separation going down field or working the short-intermediate areas. He’s also a competitive blocker in the run game. Tolbert could solve Pittsburgh’s issues of a downfield threat, and develop into more down the road.
Round 4 – Jesse Luketa LB, Penn State
Jesse Luketa is an interesting prospect out of Penn State. Playing a hybrid position in college, he lined up as both a “stack” linebacker and at times an edge rusher. I’m making this pick with the hopes of converting Luketa to a full-time inside linebacker role. Luketa is not yet a refined pass rusher, making his ability to play as a Pittsburgh “outside linebacker” a work in progress. However putting him in the BUCK linebacker role could help him develop quickly. A big, strong, and physical player, Luketa comes in at 6’2 261 pounds. He has shown the ability to read the run game and use his size to deconstruct blocks. Whether the play would call for him to cover a lineman and make a play, or shoot a gap created by the guys up front, narrowing his role should certainly help his instincts. A physical, downhill linebacker is something Pittsburgh missed this year with the retirement of Vince Williams. Luketa may be a Day 3 option to fill that role.
Round 7 – Jordan Williams DL, Virginia Tech
Jordan Williams out of Virginia Tech is more of a height/weight selection than anything. Coming out of VT, which is producing more and more NFL defensive players, Williams stands 6’4 and weighs 310 pounds. A great measurement for a Steelers 4i/5t defensive linemen. With the depth of that position struggling this past season the Steelers should look to continually add to the position group.
Round 7 – Connor Heyward RB, Michigan State
Had to do it, right? Connor Heyward is the younger brother of Steelers’ All-Pro Defensive Linemen Cameron Heyward. Younger brother Connor though, wouldn’t just be a legacy pick. Heyward moved from running back to tight end at Michigan State this year. Showing off his pass-catching abilities Heyward had 35 receptions for 326 yards and two touchdowns. And as a runner, he led the team in 2018 with 529 yards and 5 touchdowns on 118 carries. Heyward is 6’0 230 pounds and can best be used as a special teamer and HB. As a short-yardage specialist, blocker, and occasional pass catcher offensively and perhaps a four-phase guy on special teams, the younger Heyward could certainly find a role for himself in Pittsburgh.
Round 7 – Ali Fayad EDGE, Western Michigan
Ali Fayad was an extremely productive defensive player in college and earned the MAC DPOY award. Fayad has the short, squatty body Pittsburgh likes in it’s edge defenders (normally) at 6’2, 250 pounds. He had 12 sacks and 17 tackles for loss this season and is an extremely technical pass rusher. In need of a consistent #3 to rotate with T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith, Fayad might be able to bring that even late in Day 3. His size might make him a “tweener” at the NFL level much like Quincy Roche last year. If Fayad can prove to have special teams value as well, I really like him as a late draft option for the Steelers.
Buy & Sell New & Used Sports Equipment from SidelineSwap.com
Check out our Shop!
Follow us on Twitter!