The Steelers recently re-signed JuJu Smith-Schuster, while Steven Nelson will be traded or cut. Here’s how that changes things in my latest mock draft.
Just when we thought we were starting to figure some things out with the Steelers this offseason, they throw a monkey wrench in with a few moves that completely caught fans off guard. Pittsburgh recently announced that JuJu Smith-Schuster would be returning to the team on what is essentially a one-year, $8 million deal. However, in order to get this done and free up some additional cap space, the Steelers informed starting cornerback Steven Nelson that he would either be cut or traded soon.
This really makes it hard to predict how things will unfold in April, as another critical need is added to the list. While Pittsburgh was able to retain cornerback Cameron Sutton, losing two starting-caliber players in Mike Hilton and Steven Nelson this offseason is going to be hard to swallow. Behind Joe Haden and Sutton on the depth chart, the team is left with Justin Layne and underrated free agent, James Pierre – two players that have combined for just 144 career snaps to date. Because of these drastic moves, here’s what I have the Steelers doing in my latest seven-round mock draft:
Steelers mock draft round 1: CB Eric Stokes
Here’s a guy who wasn’t even mentioned in the Steelers circle just a few weeks ago, but now has skyrocketed to a potential pick as high as the first round. With an urgent need at the cornerback position, Eric Stokes is a player who checks almost every box for this team. Pittsburgh sent the house to Georgia’s Pro Day as Mike Tomlin, Kevin Colbert, and defensive backs coach, Teryl Austin were all on hand – making both Stokes and fellow cornerback, Tyson Campbell in play as early-round candidates.
Stokes isn’t perfect on film and inconsistencies often show through. However, his blazing 4.25 speed in the 40-yard dash (which some claim is officially a 4.31) is enough to grab everyone’s attention. Being able to run like this at 6’0” and 194 pounds is impressive, and Stokes has the traits to develop into a team’s number one cornerback. At the very least, Stokes seems like a real possibility at pick 24 with a need at the cornerback position and their clear interest after his Pro Day.
Steelers mock draft round 2: RB Kenneth Gainwell
I know the Steelers have expressed that they will be looking for players who didn’t opt-out in 2020, I think they would be willing to make an exception for Memphis running back, Kenneth Gainwell at this point in the draft. Along with cornerback, center, and offensive tackle, running back is arguably the biggest need Pittsburgh has this year, and Gainwell is a guy that offensive coordinator, Matt Canada, is going to love.
Though he didn’t play this past season, Gainwell was terrific in 2019 as he exploded for 1,459 rushing yards with 13 touchdowns at 6.3 yards per carry. In addition, his ability to dominate in the passing game is a tool the Steelers are sure to love as the dynamic running back pitched in 610 yards on 12.0 yards per reception in 2019.
Most teams have their top three running backs pretty well set this year as Najee Harris, Travis Etienne, and Javonte Williams make up the first tire of backs in the class. After that, many teams will have Kenneth Gainwell as their best player of the next tier. If Pittsburgh misses out on the top three by the time they’re on the clock in the second round, Gainwell could be a solid consolation prize. He would see a sizeable workload from the gate and quickly develop into their lead dog in the backfield.
Steelers mock draft round 3: OT Spencer Brown
I know many fans (myself included) are hoping that the Steelers will address the offensive tackle position earlier than the third round – especially considering that this is one of the deeper groups we have seen in quite some time. However, if the chips fall this way in the draft, it’s entirely possible that Pittsburgh misses out on the first few waves of tackles this year.
Spencer Brown is a solid, but unspectacular football player. He had an impressive showing during Senior Bowl week while he won most of his one-on-one reps. However, there is much more to playing the offensive tackle position than blocking the guy trying to get to the quarterback in front of you. Brown had a pretty good career at Northern Iowa, and his size is particularly intriguing (6’8” and 314 pounds).
The Steelers already lost former guard/tackle Matt Feiler, and outside of re-signing Zach Banner, they haven’t done much in the way of fixing the depth issue at offensive tackle. Brown is a player who could come in and compete on the right side of the formation with either Banner or Chukwuma Okorafor. He projects as an eventual starter at right tackle, but probably doesn’t have the feet and desired athleticism to play left tackle in the NFL.
Steelers mock draft round 4: EDGE Cameron Sample
Here’s a player I really enjoyed watching at the Senior Bowl this year. Cameron Sample was very much an unknown name prior to his senior season at Tulane where he turned some heads. He continued to do the same in Mobile as he routinely won reps against offensive tackles in Senior Bowl drills.
However, even though he is coming from a non-Power 5 football program at Tulane, Sample still didn’t have great college production – which is one of the reasons why he could fall to the fourth round. Still, the Steelers have shown that they like taking small-school guys with upside and they have a need on the edge with both Bud Dupree and Ola Adeniyi departing this offseason.
Steelers mock draft round 4: WR Anthony Schwartz
It’s hard to say how long a player like Anthony Schwartz is going to last in April’s NFL Draft. On tape alone, the speedy wide receiver looks like a late day-three prospect. However, his blazing speed could have him drafted as early as the beginning of the third round. Schwartz is a player on the Steelers radar after spending one of their visits on him. If he is still around at this point, he could be their pick – possibly even a round sooner than this.
Steelers mock draft round 6: TE Matt Bushman
Matt Bushman was a fairly productive, yet somewhat unspectacular player for BYU throughout his college career. Had he played in 2020, perhaps he’s off the board a round or two higher, but he’s not worth the gamble before the fifth round considering he opted out of the 2020 season. Bushman is a traditional tight end in the mold of Jesse James, but perhaps with a bit more receiving ability. He could prove to be a quality pick at this point in the draft.
Steelers mock draft round 7: C Jimmy Morrissey
Anytime you are taking an offensive lineman this late in the draft, you aren’t counting on them to be anything more than a depth option down the line. Jimmy Morrissey projects as a backup interior offensive lineman in the NFL, but the Steelers could use another center on their roster. As a seventh-round pick, however, Morrissey isn’t guaranteed to make the team in year one.
Steelers mock draft round 7: DT Forrest Merrill
The Steelers have so many needs this year that I wouldn’t be shocked to see them address defensive tackle until late in the draft. This is a poor group of defensive tackles this year, so Pittsburgh could just decide to spend a late-round pick on a run-stuffing specialist like Forrest Merrill. He would likely compete with Henry Mondeaux as one of the final players on the roster.
The Steelers have just over a month before they will be forced to make these difficult decisions in the 2021 NFL Draft. As of now, I think it’s a possibility that they could address the cornerback position as early as the 24th overall pick this year.