Now that all the free agency dust has mostly settled, it’s time to dive into my first mock draft of the year. The Steelers did a good job filling some holes in free agency, which gives them a lot of flexibility heading into the draft. There are a number of ways the Steelers can attack the draft, and this mock will be what I think the team might do, not what I would do.
With that said, I will be drafting for all 12 picks. While I don’t think the Steelers will use all 12 picks, I don’t want to get too deep into trade scenarios with this initial mock draft.
Without further ado, here’s my first mock of draft season.
Round 1 – Pick 21: CJ ALLEN/LB/GEORGIA
Patrick Queen has one year left on his deal, and Payton Wilson didn’t take the year two jump many expected. One position the Steelers didn’t address in free agency was off-ball linebacker, and they find their future at the position with Allen. He was a leader and defensive play-caller at Georgia and is still young, having just turned 21. He’s a reliable run defender who is at his best when he’s getting downhill.
The Steelers also had Omar Khan and Mike McCarthy at Georgia’s Pro Day, the only Pro Day that both have attended this cycle. Allen has the traits to be the future in the middle for the Steelers.
Others Considered: OG Vega Ioane, S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, WR Denzel Boston
Round 2 – Pick 53: GERMIE BERNARD/WR/ALABAMA
Bernard has a pre-draft visit coming up with the Steelers, who also held a formal meeting with him at the NFL Combine. Bernard is a physical receiver and a strong route-runner and could fit in well with Pittsburgh’s receiving corps. He’s a potential option to play in the slot and someone who could make a Day 1 impact and be a reliable weapon for years to come.
Others Considered: CB Treydan Stukes, DL Dominique Orange, OG Emmanuel Pregnon
Germie Bernard Scouting Report
Round 3 – Pick 76: JALEN FARMER/OG/KENTUCKY
Farmer has been a riser throughout this draft process. He was a standout at the NFL Combine and has ideal athleticism for the position. The Steelers brought in Brock Hoffman this offseason and also still have Spencer Anderson on the roster, so there wouldn’t be a rush for Farmer to start. Ideally, he sits for a year and develops under James Campen to become a future starter. There’s a lot of upside due to his athletic traits and strength.
Others Considered: S Kamari Ramsey, DL Darrell Jackson Jr., S Genesis Smith
Round 3 – Pick 85: MARKEL BELL/OT/MIAMI
The Steelers don’t need a Day 1 starter at offensive tackle. But they do need to add to the room. Dylan Cook looked good when thrust into action at the end of the season, and he’ll likely compete with Broderick Jones for the starting left tackle job. There are still some questions about whether Jones will be ready to go for training camp, and adding a developmental tackle in Bell makes a lot of sense.
He came in for a pre-draft visit with the Steelers, and while he’s raw, he’s a massive human with impressive power. A good flier to take to potentially become the left tackle of the future. Jones will likely have his fifth-year option declined, and Cook is on the last year of his deal.
Others Considered: CB Daylen Everette, QB Garrett Nussmeier, DL Rayshaun Benny
Round 3 – Pick 99: ZAKEE WHEATLEY/S/PENN STATE
Jaquan Brisker and DeShon Elliott are on expiring contracts, and Wheatley should be the best safety left on the board. He has great size and speed and has a high football IQ. In addition, he projects to be a valuable special teamer. He’ll have immediate value on special teams as he provides depth at safety and eventually can take over in a bigger role.
Others Considered: TE Michael Trigg, QB Carson Beck, WR Malachi Fields
Zakee Wheatley Scouting Report
Round 4 – Pick 121: COLE PAYTON/QB/NORTH DAKOTA STATE
The Steelers have a lot of interest in Payton, an athletic but raw quarterback. If the team doesn’t have an answer from Aaron Rodgers by the draft, an assumption I’m making for this mock draft, adding a mid-round quarterback becomes much more likely. Given the work the Steelers have done on Payton, I can see him being the selection.
Others Considered: WR Ja’Kobi Lane, CB Tacario Davis, DL Tim Keenan III
Round 4 – Pick 135: EPHESIANS PRYSOCK/CB/WASHINGTON
Prysock is a long, athletic cornerback who is a willing tackler. He’s raw, but the Steelers don’t have an immediate hole at cornerback to fill. He’s another player who could work on special teams as a rookie and ease his way into a bigger role. The Steelers also hosted him for a pre-draft visit
Others Considered: DL DeMonte Capeheart, TE Dallen Bentley, WR Kevin Coleman Jr.
Ephesians Prysock Scouting Report
Round 5 – Pick 161: JAMES THOMPSON JR/DL/ILLINOIS
Maybe a touch early for Thompson, but with a long wait until Pittsburgh’s sixth-round pick, they grab a big-bodied defensive lineman. Thompson was also a pre-draft visitor and is a strong run defender who can play up and down the defensive line. Even after signing Sebastian Joseph-Day, the defensive line room needs more depth, and Thompson fits what the Steelers look for in the position.
Others Considered: TE Eli Raridon, WR Jeff Caldwell, RB Demond Claiborne
James Thompson Jr. Scouting Report
Round 6 – Pick 216: MAX BREDESON/FB/TE/MICHIGAN
The Steelers lost their only fullback-capable player in Connor Heyward, and Mike McCarthy’s offenses have utilized a fullback. Bredeson can be a core special-teamer with good hands out of the backfield and NFL bloodlines. He was a team leader at Michigan, and this is a spot where I can see the Steelers taking him.
Others Considered: WR Lewis Bond, DL Tyler Onyedim, EDGE Patrick Payton
Round 7 – Pick 224: EMMANUEL HENDERSON JR./WR/KANSAS
The Steelers need a return man, and Henderson was a good one for Kansas last season. He took a kick back to the house and averaged 25.3 yards per return. He also has great straight-line speed and could be a serious threat for a Steelers offense that needs to get more vertical.
Others Considered: CB Ceyair Wright, LB Lander Barton, EDGE Keyshawn James-Newby
Round 7 – Pick 230: DAVID GUSTA/DL/KENTUCKY
It ain’t easy fitting 12 picks onto a roster, and we’re at the point where it’s worth looking for players who have above-average traits. Gusta had an elite Combine workout and is a really good athlete for his size. But that athleticism didn’t translate into production. He has flashes as a pass-rusher and can create pressure, which the Steelers need more of on their defensive line. He’s worth taking a flier on.
Others Considered: CB Tyreek Chappell, RB Adam Randall, S Ahmaad Moses
Round 7 – Pick 237: BAUER SHARP/TE/LSU
Tight end has become a sneaky need for the Steelers, and really, one that could be addressed earlier. But this is a really deep tight end class, and waiting isn’t the worst thing in the world. Sharp was a standout at the East-West Shrine Bowl and is one of the fastest tight ends in the draft.
Others Considered: WR Max Tomczak, RB Cash Jones, C James Brockermeyer