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Pittsburgh Steelers Post-Combine 7-round NFL mock draft

By Tommy Jaggi

CHAMPAIGN, IL - OCTOBER 12: Josh Uche #6 of the Michigan Wolverines is seen during the game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Memorial Stadium on October 12, 2019 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - OCTOBER 12: Josh Uche #6 of the Michigan Wolverines is seen during the game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Memorial Stadium on October 12, 2019 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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COLUMBIA, MO – SEPTEMBER 01: Defensive back Andrew Horton-Martindale #21 of the Tennessee Martin Skyhawks breaks up a pass intended for tight end Albert Okwuegbunam #81 of the Missouri Tigers during the game at Faurot Field/Memorial Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
COLUMBIA, MO – SEPTEMBER 01: Defensive back Andrew Horton-Martindale #21 of the Tennessee Martin Skyhawks breaks up a pass intended for tight end Albert Okwuegbunam #81 of the Missouri Tigers during the game at Faurot Field/Memorial Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

Round 3 (comp): Albert Okwuegbunam

Tight end, Missouri

Again, this is still a pick that the Steelers are projected to get based on the compensatory formula after the loss of Le’Veon Bell in 2018. There are a lot of differing opinions about Missouri tight end Albert Okwugbunam out there, and I have seen him slated anywhere from the second round to the fifth round.

However, after an undeniably impressive 4.49-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine (at 6’6” and 258 pounds, no less), something tells me that Okwuegbunam doesn’t make it much further than this point, and he could even be destined for the second round for a tight end-needy organization.

Okwuegbunam is far from a finished product on tape. He lacks the play strength and physicality you would hope for in a player his size. However, what he has, can’t be taught – blazing speed and an unbelievable catch radius.

The Steelers are in a tricky situation at tight end. Nick Vannett is an unrestricted free agent that they may elect to resign. However, Vance McDonald is due more than $14.2 million over the next two seasons. Even if Vance is retained, tight end was perhaps the worst position on the team in 2019. Okwuegbunam isn’t ready to jump into a big role from day one, but he’s also one of the few tight ends in this class that fits the size metrics Pittsburgh typically looks for at the position.

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