Steelers 7-round mock draft: Pittsburgh targets offense early

6th Round: Darrion Daniels

Defensive tackle, Nebraska

Javon Hargrave is likely gone this offseason due to the high salary he will demand. In his place, the Steelers need another big body in the middle. That’s exactly what Nebraska’s Darrion Daniels provides. At 6’3” and 325 pounds, Daniels is a strong and squatty nose tackle who can clog up running lanes. He has a surprising quickness off the snap for a man inside, but he isn’t going to do a lot of damage rushing the passer. Daniels would give the Steelers another run stopper they could plug into the middle of their defense.

7th Round: Daniel Bituli

Inside linebacker, Tennessee

Though there hasn’t been a lot of talk about the linebacker position this offseason, it really is another area Pittsburgh lacks depth. Mark Barron could get the boot this offseason due to his $8.1 million cap hit in 2020, while Tyler Matakevich is an unrestricted free agent. Ulysees Gilbert shows some promise, but he is more of a backup to Devin Bush’s Mack position. Daniel Bituli is much in the mold of Vine Williams – a big, downhill linebacker who is excellent at sniffing out the run. However, like Williams, Bituli isn’t an every-down player and his coverage ability is questionable. Still, he could be worth a look at the end of the draft.

The Steelers have some difficult decisions to make when April rolls around. Free agency will help clear up some of their more glaring needs. We will have a better idea which direction the Steelers will be looking a month from now.