Still Curtain
FanSided

Steelers 2020 Mock Draft: Final seven-round version

By Tommy Jaggi

MADISON, WISCONSIN - SEPTEMBER 07: Jonathan Taylor #23 of the Wisconsin Badgers warms up before the game against the Central Michigan Chippewas at Camp Randall Stadium on September 07, 2019 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
MADISON, WISCONSIN - SEPTEMBER 07: Jonathan Taylor #23 of the Wisconsin Badgers warms up before the game against the Central Michigan Chippewas at Camp Randall Stadium on September 07, 2019 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 6
Next
TALLAHASSEE, FL – OCTOBER 27: Offensive Lineman John Simpson #74 of the Clemson Tigers during the game against the Florida State Seminoles at Doak Campbell Stadium on Bobby Bowden Field on October 27, 2018 in Tallahassee, Florida. The #2 Ranked Clemson Tigers defeated the Florida State Seminoles 59 to 10. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
TALLAHASSEE, FL – OCTOBER 27: Offensive Lineman John Simpson #74 of the Clemson Tigers during the game against the Florida State Seminoles at Doak Campbell Stadium on Bobby Bowden Field on October 27, 2018 in Tallahassee, Florida. The #2 Ranked Clemson Tigers defeated the Florida State Seminoles 59 to 10. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /

3rd round (pick 102): John Simpson

Interior offensive line, Clemson

Taking John Simpson in the 3rd round isn’t necessarily a great value pick, but it’s one that could come out of necessity in a poor interior line class. The Steelers are old and thin along the offensive line. While they brought in Stefen Wisniewski this offseason, the 31-year old center doesn’t solve their youth issue and only partially makes up for their lack of depth.

Pittsburgh lost Ramon Foster to retirement and B.J. Finney to free agency this offseason, and they haven’t done enough this offseason to replace them. John Simpson is a Ramon Foster clone. Though he will get beat by quickness at times and have a hard time getting to the next level on run plays, he is a massive anchor ( 6’4”, 321 pounds) with terrific strength for the position.

Simpson wouldn’t be forced to start right away, but the hope would be that he could win the left guard job by 2021. Simpson is an experienced offensive lineman with ideal size for the position and he tested surprisingly well at the NFL Combine. He may never be a Pro Bowl player at the NFL level, but he has potential as a long-time starter in the league.

Home/Steelers Draft