Pittsburgh Steelers Mock Draft: Post Senior Bowl

As the season winds down for the Steelers, it is time to look ahead at the draft.

Below is a seven-round mock to get us fans thinking about who could be coming to the Steelers. I used Fanspeak’s draft simulator so that I could guess who would fall where.

Round One, Pick 28: RB Derrius Guice (Louisiana State)

I know the Steelers will probably be able to franchise Bell, but I believe Adam Schefter over Le’Veon Bell on how contract negotiations are going. I expect the Steelers to Franchise Bell again, but I doubt they will sign him to a long-term deal.

I didn’t want to go running back here, but I had to take a talent like Guice off the board. Guice is a shifty back who has had a ton of production in the SEC and has outperformed Leonard Fournette in some ways.

Round Two, Pick 28: ILB Leighton Van Esch (Boise State)

The Steelers need to go inside linebacker early and here I find the best inside linebacker on the board. He is a good tackler which is something the Steelers are desperate for as well as a good cover guy. He may not have the nose for the ball that Vince Williams has, but its the best they can do at this point. Our own Brandon Kring broke down his tape.

Round Three, Pick 28: S Jesse Bates III (Wake Forest)

Here the Steelers will need to get a safety as it was a position of weakness and Mike Mitchell is getting up there in age. Bates is the type of safety that can play the ball and had a lot of tackle production in college.

The knock on him is that he is undersized, but that is something that can be fixed within a year in the league. While I don’t expect him to start right away, I would like to see him become heir to Mike Mitchell’s position.

Round Five, Pick 11: ILB Josey Jewell (Iowa)

So the Steelers may still need an inside linebacker who has a nose for the ball and that could be Josey Jewell. Jewell is the more instinctual type and that could fill in nicely for the Steelers in the base defense. Brandon Kring also broke down his film.

Round Five, Pick 28: WR Allan Lazard (Iowa State)

The Steelers will need to replace Martavis Bryant next year and why not get a head start by drafting Allan Lazard. Although he showed at Iowa State and the Senior Bowl that he struggles with drops, his size is undeniable at 6’5.

Ben Roethlisberger loves tall targets, especially in the red zone and he will not lose that next year when Martavis Bryant hits free agency with Allan Lazard. He kinda reminds me of Sammie Coates is some ways.

Round Seven, Pick 2: OLB Jacob Pugh (Florida State) 

At this point, you are just taking fliers on players and maybe a good one to take is on Jacob Pugh. The Steelers will need some depth at OLB and they need to keep drafting the position. I don’t know if he would make the team over Kion Adams, but it’s worth taking a shot.

Best case scenario, he could take over for Bud Dupree in a year if the Steelers elect to not pick up his option.

Round Seven, Pick 28: Coleman Shelton 

Shelton didn’t even get an invite to the Senior Bowl, but that is okay because he was invited to the Shrine Game. Shelton could be a project as he only weighs in the 290s. If he adds some bulk, his versatility could go a long way. The Steelers like lineman who can play all five positions and that is exactly what Chris Hubbard and Kelvin Beachum could do.

Next: The Steelers could find the answer at TE in free agency

Shelton played all five in college and with Hubbard leaving, he could be that depth player that could focus on the interior, but is five positions flexible.