With the NFL season a quarter of the way through, an updated mock draft seems appropriate for the Steelers coming
While the Steelers would have ideally played four games before this quarter season mock, they, unfortunately, had to take an early bye week due to a COVID outbreak on the Titans. Mock drafts this early are hard to predict, and it doesn’t make it any easier since the Steelers have only had the chance to play three games. That said, putting a mock out this early serve to project what the needs of this team will be next offseason and bring up some interesting prospects to keep an eye on as the college season progresses.
My first mock of this season had the Steelers targeting the athletic Jamie Newman in the first, and considering he opted out of this season, that makes the likelihood of the Steelers taking him far less likely. Given Ben Roethlisberger’s play and comments before the season, drafting a QB that high also makes little sense. That said, adding a safety and a tackle in the second and third rounds of the mock does make a lot of sense and make a reappearance in this mock.
There has also been a change in the projected number of total picks for the Steelers. Since Sean Davis was released, his comp pick is now in question. He could still end up being a sixth-round comp pick, he could fall as a seventh, or the Steelers may just lose the pick. Thus, this mock will have the Steelers picking in the first, second, third, twice in the fourth, and twice in the seventh round. As well, given the strong start, the Steelers will be picking late in this mock.
Finally, given the early nature of this mock, a lot of this still falls into projection. Some players have yet to even play due to COVID, and everyone else is only a few games into their collegiate season. Look at the positions and the style of player chosen along with the actual player, as this will give a better idea of what I think the Steelers will be targeting in the 2021 draft. With all of this said, here is the Steelers quarter season mock draft.
Round 1
The Steelers offensive line has played surprisingly well despite some turnover and early season injuries. The interior looks promising, as Matt Feiler has played well and Kevin Dotson looked great in his early-season play. There are some questions at OT though, and with Alejandro Villanueva likely playing in his final season with the Steelers, the team will need to target an OT early in the draft next year.
In steps Walker Little, a high floor high and moderately high ceiling LT from Stanford. He was a relatively safe early-round selection heading into the year, but he decided to opt-out for the season which could hurt his stock. As well, teams could see him as a fully developed product entering the league, as he has shown to be an above-average blocker at the college level. That makes him the perfect pick for the Steelers though, as he could slide into LT with little drop-off in play.
The biggest concern with Little is his leverage against smaller rushers. At 6’7, Little can be beaten by smaller and speedier rushers. As well, some teams point to the fact that he may be close to his ceiling as a reason to avoid him in the draft. Even if that is the case, Little would be a smart replacement at LT and help protect Roethlisberger during the final years of his career. Little makes a lot of sense for the Steelers here, and don’t be surprised to see an OT early this draft.
Round 2
While my second-round safety Andre Cisco has likely risen into late first-round status, but that shouldn’t stop the Steelers from targeting a safety early. Current starting SS Terrell Edmunds has struggled to develop as a coverage player and considering he will be entering the last year of his deal, the Steelers could opt to find his replacement in this draft. Now, the Steelers target Trevon Moehrig from TCU.
Moehrig has the ability to play at both SS and FS, giving him a lot of versatility for his rookie year. He would likely serve as a sub-package player and developmental SS year one and later compete to be the full-time SS by year two. Better yet, he has some phenomenal ball skills, logging four interceptions last year. On top of this, his 6’1, 208 lb. frame allows him to be a more physical player, leading to big hits and good run-stopping ability.
While the Steelers’ biggest need isn’t a safety, adding one now would be prudent to develop him as a replacement and future starter. Adding to this secondary will hopefully keep the unit from backsliding to the mediocre unit that was fielded before last season. Moehrig has long-term star potential at SS and could be the starter next to Minkah Fitzpatrick for years to come.
Round 3
I’m keeping this player in my mock from before, although I decided to move him up a round. Jeremy Ruckert from Ohio State has a lot of potential heading into the season. While he has yet to play any Big Ten football, his size and soft hands have scouts drooling over what he could turn into as a pro. At 6’5 and 252 lbs. Ruckert has the mold of a traditional TE that can stay in and block as well as make big plays in the passing game.
Looking at the Steelers depth chart right now, drafting a TE in the third seems a little unwise. Considering the cap issues that will likely haunt the Steelers, Vance McDonald is a potential cut and Eric Ebron may not make the final cut either if he disappoints. This depth chart can get weak quickly if the Steelers continue to ignore the position. That’s why adding an early-round TE makes so much sense, as it can give the Steelers a future at the position.
While Ruckert has the look of a complete TE, he does have some questions about his usage in the Ohio State offense. He hasn’t had a dominant season stat-wise, meaning a lot of his stock is projection. However, if he can show off the traits that he has during this shortened season, he could be a draft riser. He has some risk in the third round due to his college production, but that shouldn’t stop the Steelers from taking a shot at him in the draft.
Round 4
Monty Rice is a player a lot of Steelers fans should take notice of. While not a dynamic athlete like the top LBs, he has quietly become a top defender for Georgia over the past two years. He looks like a more athletic Vince Williams on tape, providing solid run defense and pressure up the middle. Also like Williams, his pass coverage is a little more suspect, but given his more natural athleticism, he could develop more there over time.
Assuming Williams isn’t cut for cap relief, Rice would begin his career as a backup and core special teamer. Williams is getting older though, and Rice would be a natural replacement for him given his play style. Two to three years from now, Rice could be suiting up next to Devin Bush full time. Rice has the ceiling of a good two down LB that can contribute to coverage. Getting value like that in the fourth would be well worth the investment.
Cory Durden is a perfect prospect to add to this defensive line, as he has the natural size (6’5, 315) and pass-rushing ability to become a starter. His issue is his technique, which is extremely sloppy. He fails to anchor well and provides much rush outside of using his pure strength to bull rush. Luckily for him, Karl Dunbar has done an incredible job of developing DL talent and getting the most out of them. If he can work his magic on Durden, you could be looking at a starter a few years down the road.
Coming into the league with pass-rushing ability is a good trait. Again, his sloppy technique makes him a below-average run stopper and inconsistent rusher, but a lot of that can be cleaned up with Dunbar’s help. The Steelers have built a potent front seven and adding a player with as much upside as Durden could pay off a few years from now. Considering Chris Wormley and Tyson Alualu aren’t guaranteed to be here next year, Durden would have an easy route to a backup job as he hones his skills and begins his development process.
Round 7
With James Conner likely entering his final year with the Steelers, the Steelers will be looking to add another option to this backfield at some point. While signing a cheap free agent and letting Benny Snell serve as the bell cow makes a lot of sense, the Steelers could opt to draft a late-round option as well to complete the backfield. Mekhi Sargent out of Iowa is intriguing, as he is built like a compact bowling ball. His tape has some reminiscence of Maurice Jones-Drew given his size and ability to move in space.
While he hasn’t been used as a bell cow at Iowa, he has flashed in his touches. As well, coming from a pro-style offense, he can chip in on blocks and catch the ball out of the backfield. His biggest issue is that he doesn’t run as physical as you would like and can get tackled easily sometimes. That, along with the devaluation of the position, makes Sargent such a late-round pick. That said, his tape is fun to watch, and he could be a solid pro down the road.
Assuming the Steelers retain JuJu Smith-Schuster, the team won’t have a huge need at receiver next year. This shouldn’t prevent them from adding one though, as keeping this depth chart full and talented is vital in the pass-heavy NFL. They should add a unique skillset though, which is why I have them targeting Tutu Atwell from Louisville. While extremely undersized, he is shifty and has burning speed. He would provide the Steelers with the Tyreek Hill kind of weapon out of the slot.
Behind Smith-Schuster, the Steelers don’t have a true slot option. Atwell would provide solid depth there as well as the ability to stretch the field deep and even take the occasional end around as a runner. His biggest knock is his size. While being 5’9 isn’t the end of the world, Louisville has him listed at 165 lbs. That kind of size can get him injured quickly for a pro team, and it won’t be shocking if he struggles with injuries during his career. As a gadget player and depth slot option, he shouldn’t see heavy usage though, which could preserve his body. His unique traits and killer speed would diversify this offense even further.
While draft season is still months away, beginning to look at the future of the Steelers is never a bad thing. Keep the players mentioned above in mind when scouting for next year, as they would each add something unique to this roster.