Pittsburgh Steelers Mock Draft: A cornerback finds his way to No. 20

The 2019 NFL Draft is less than a month away and the Pittsburgh Steelers’ draft board is becoming more clear. Find out who they look to in all seven rounds.

Round One, Pick 20: De’Andre Baker, CB, Georgia

Deandre Baker is still a possibility here at 20. There is no guarantee that Devin Bush will be there with other teams needing help at linebacker. Baker will probably drop, but I think he would be a good player to have on their roster. He could probably take over for Joe Haden when he is done. Baker is a pure cover corner who with good coaching could become a more complete corner.

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

Polite might just be the guy who the Steelers always wanted to take over for Bud Dupree. Polite has been cast as a guy who has maturity issues, but the Steelers have taken risks on these types of guys before. His tape is enough to be a first rounder for sure. He has a quick first step and that is coupled with an ability to bring consistent pressure.

Round Three, Pick 2: Mack Wilson, ILB, Alabama

I’m sure the Steelers would like to get an inside linebacker earlier, but you have to draft the best guys available. Mack Wilson is a complete linebacker who dropped into coverage a lot at Alabama. He is also capable of blitzing which is important in the Steelers defense. I think he can add help in run support as well.

Round Three, Pick 19: Darnell Savage, FS, Maryland

Darnell Savage is a player with great instincts and an ability to support the run. The Steelers Sean Davis hired Drew Rosenhaus and so it looks like it might be time to draft a new free safety. He probably would only come in for the dime in year one, but he is the type of guy who can start for a while at free safety after that.

Round Four, Pick 20: Jace Sternberger, TE, Texas A&M

Jace Sternberger would be good value at this point in the draft and the Steelers need a new tight end behind Vance McDonald. I think Jace Sternberger could come in on two tight end sets and be a two-way tight end. He is a player who can help you in the passing game and be an in-line blocker too.

Round Five, Pick 3: David Sills V, WR, West Virginia

This is a pick where you read the signs and see that the Steelers are interested in David Sills V. The Steelers Mike Tomlin and Kevin Colbert were both present at West Virginia Pro Day. It is unlikely that they were interested in Will Grier as the Steelers drafted a quarterback of the future last year. I also think it is unlikely that they were taking a hard look at Trevon Wesco as he may not even be drafted. I would guess Yodney Cajuste isn’t their target as they have plenty of depth at tackle. So that leaves David Sills and Greg Jennings as possibilities. I am going to hedge that the Steelers want an outside receiver as they have depth in the slot with Juju Smith-Schuster, Eli Rogers and Ryan Switzer all very capable of playing in the slot.

Round Six, Pick 2: Bruce Anderson, RB, North Dakota State

Bruce Anderson is a guy who interviews well in my opinion. He also is a guy who can block and play special teams. I also think he is an underrated runner. All of those things will endear him to the Steelers. The Steelers will need a #3 back as they only have Trey Edmunds behind James Conner and Jaylen Samuels with roster experience.

Round Six, Pick 19: Jesse Burkett, C, Stanford

The Steelers have plenty of depth at tackle, but it would be nice to get some more depth at center. After Maurkice Pouncey and BJ Finney, the Steelers don’t have much experience at center as far as NFL experience. An interior lineman would also be nice as it could be BJ Finney’s last year as he is a restricted free agent. Next year, Ramon Foster will be under contract and BJ Finney will be able to be an unrestricted free agent. That means he could want to go elsewhere to start. Although he has been loyal to the Steelers, they may want some depth, particularly at center.

Round Six, Pick 34: Daniel Wise, DE, Kansas 

The Steelers Leterrius Walton is still a free agent and that leaves the possibility that the Steelers will need a defensive end. The Steelers like to have six defensive linemen on the roster and they have five from last year’s roster. Daniel Wise could be good value at this point even if they are able to agree to terms with Leterrius Walton.

Round Seven, Pick 5: Michael Badgley III, K, Miami (FL)

I have a suspicion that the Steelers are going to draft a kicker in the later rounds. Chris Boswell was not himself last year and if he is unable to get out of his funk, they may want to draft a kicker as competition. They may not want to spend the pick in the fifth round on Daniel Carlson and so they might have to settle for Badgley.