Pittsburgh Steelers Mock Draft: Back-to-back backers in opening rounds

The Pittsburgh Steelers are looking to add key pieces to both their offense and defense in the 2019 NFL Draft.

Now that we are approaching the combine, the draft is going to take more of a centerpiece in the Steelers news. Here is a mock draft to get people thinking about what players the Steelers could draft.

Round One, Pick 20: Jachai Polite, OLB, Florida

The Steelers are always looking for pass rushers and may have found a replacement to Bud Dupree in Jachai Polite. Jachai Polite has a quick first step and is aggressive in shedding blocks. He is a guy who gets consistent pressure on the quarterback. He also has experience rushing standing up at Florida. The big weakness I see in his game is his bull rush, but other than that I think they may have a second edge guy opposite TJ Watt who can get after the quarterback.

Round Two, Pick 20: Mack Wilson, ILB, Alabama

Mack Wilson is the kind of guy who can play the mack linebacker position in the Steelers defense. (as the name suggests) He may not be Ryan Shazier, but he is the most complete linebacker in this draft. The Steelers have needed a linebacker who can cover and that will be more important with LJ Fort about to hit free agency.

Round Three, Pick 19: Lonnie Johnson, CB, Kentucky

This is a good corner class and the Steelers will need to address the corner position at some time in this draft. Joe Haden isn’t getting any younger and Artie Burns has showed that he can’t be relied upon. Johnson is a guy who can line up on the outside and in the slot. He is a good cover corner who stays in phase in coverage. He has fluid hips and is also an average run supporter. This would be good value in the third round.

Round Four, Pick 20: Antoine Wesley, WR, Texas Tech

The Steelers are almost sure to draft a wide receiver this year after they trade Antonio Brown. They will need a guy on the outside as they have plenty of slot depth in Juju Smith-Schuster, Eli Rogers and Ryan Switzer. I would say an outside guy would help in case James Washington turns out to be a bust this year. Wesley is is a good route runner who will be a good yards after catch receiver. I do see some weaknesses, but they are getting Wesley in the fourth round. The weaknesses are getting off the line of scrimmage clean and him being only an average blocker.

Round Six, Pick 2: Myles Gaskin, RB, Washington

The Steelers are not desperate for a running back, but you can never have enough depth at running back. James Conner and Jaylen Samuels seem like a formidable 1-2 punch, but what are they going to do after those two. I could see Trey Edmunds making the roster as a special teamer, but it might be nice to have a third back on the roster.

Gaskin is a great athlete and a shifty runner who can line up in the slot and catch passes for the Steelers. The Steelers tend to like pass catching runners and so that could be Gaskin’s ticket to the field. I could also see him helping give depth on kickoff returns behind Ryan Switzer.

Round Six, Pick 19: John Cominsky, DE, Charleston

John Cominsky is a pick that could help the Steelers on the defensive line. Even if they are able to retain LT Walton and Dan McCullers, this is still a good year to draft defensive line. Cominsky might be thought of as more of a 4-3 defensive end, but I think he could be a fit as a 3-4 defensive end in the Steelers scheme. He has great power and a nasty bull rush. I think if he came from a power five conference school, he would go much higher.

Round Seven, Pick 5: Gary Jennings, WR, West Virginia

Gary Jennings is an underrated prospect in my opinion. I don’t think the Steelers need a slot guy, but he is the type of seventh-round pick who could make your roster. I see him being 6’1 and will speed as a guy who could replace Darrius Heyward-Bey as a gunner. He also could be a guy who could be a good open field runner and YAC guy.

I also think the Steelers will like that he can take the top off of a defense. He has a good catch radius and good hands. I do think he needs to be sharper on his routes though.