The Pittsburgh Steelers will need to fill a lot of needs in the draft and they seem like they will get that accomplished.
The Steelers have a lot of work to do in this draft but they can accomplish this monumental task. They will need to be creative to address their needs with impactful prospects going forward. They need to find starters at the running back, center, tackle, and corner positions.
Even though they need to find instant impact players at those listed above, they also need to address depth concerns at other places on this roster. Positions like a tight end, outside linebacker, and safety need to be addressed before the season begins. Now, the team could always circle back to free agency if they wish to before or after the draft but it seems like they want to address these issues with one of their many selections.
This final mock draft had the black and gold address their issues early and often. They were able to have a great dream scenario play out where they get solid players all around that also take away their most significant needs going forward. If this mock draft can become reality then the Steelers will be a happy franchise going into next season. They have lots of work ahead of them but if they can come close to this class of rookies then they will have done a great job.
TRADE: Jets receive pick 24, the Steelers receive picks 34, 86, and 2022 seventh rounder
34 (Second Round). Landon Dickerson, OC, Alabama
This selection of Landon Dickerson after trading back was a good move that the Steelers couldn’t ignore. His medicals are still concerning many teams after he tore his ACL late last season but he will bounce back sooner than later.
B.J. Finney is back so he can start some games until Dickerson is ready to go if that’s the way the team wants to handle this situation. Center is a huge need going forward and this player out of Alabama will be a leader for this franchise and a great player going forward.
TRADE: Steelers receive pick 47, the Eagles receive picks 55, and a 2022 3rd rounder
47 (Second Round). Javonte Williams, RB, North Carolina
The Steelers trade up eight spots to draft Javonte Williams out of North Carolina. He is one of the most underrated players coming out of college as he is in the shadow of other backs like Najee Harris and Travis Etienne.
Williams is a special player that can contribute in all phases of an offense. Pittsburgh trades its third-round selection next year because they are expected to get a compensatory third-round selection in the 2022 draft. This is a solid move for the black and gold as they get their day one starter at running back. They continue to fill holes on their roster and address the big issue of the running game last season.
86 (Third Round). Kelvin Joseph, CB, Kentucky
Kelvin Joseph out of Kentucky is a nice prospect at this point in the draft. He is the perfect size that every team is looking for when they scout cornerbacks coming out of the collegiate ranks. He played very well for an underwhelming program in a bigger conference.
Mike Hilton and Steven Nelson are gone so the need for a corner is huge even with Cam Sutton returning. Joseph is better at the outside corner spot so he could always start while Sutton slides back inside as the slot corner. The team could always give this rookie a year to develop and have Sutton and Joe Haden as the starting outside guys while the slot corner spot is fought for throughout training camp.
87 (Third Round). Tommy Tremble, TE, Notre Dame
Tommy Tremble is one of the best tight ends in this draft class. He is a solid blocker and that will have the Steelers licking their chops going into this event. They need a player that will compliment Eric Ebron going forward and provide solid depth. Tremble will become the starting tight end on this team following the next season when Ebron leaves.
For now, this rookie will be a solid number two option that can block and grow his game in the pass-catching department going forward. Even with the selection of Tremble here, this position will need to be filled out with a third spot open on the roster currently. This is another solid selection in the third round as the team addresses a need and gets value here with the Notre Dame product.
128 (Fourth Round). Patrick Jones II, EDGE, Pittsburgh
Patrick Jones out of Pitt did nothing but put up monster numbers during his college days. He was able to constantly get after the passer and his build reminds many of Bud Dupree. Selecting him here in the fourth round is another value pick as the team again chooses another position of need.
There is no depth behind T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith so getting a player that could actually see game action routinely in his rookie year like Jones would be a huge get. He would provide immediate depth and impact on this team when the starters need to take a breather on the sideline.
140 (Fourth Round). Robert Hainsey, OT, Notre Dame
Left tackle might be one of the highest needs for the Steelers but they have to wait until pick 140 to fill up that void. Robert Hainsey is seen as a utility player by many as he can play all across the offensive line. He is a leader and a great person that would fit nicely in the Pittsburgh locker room. The black and gold have shown a lot of interest in him throughout the pre-draft process and would likely see him as a starting tackle for their front.
He has nice quickness and ability to excel at the NFL level and they will need to help him to develop further. It will be a nice competition between him and Chuks Okorafor during training camp. This would be a nice selection because Hainsey is from Pittsburgh so that feel-good story of a player going to his childhood team would be there.
216 (Sixth Round). Tre’ McKitty, TE, Georgia
Tre’ McKitty at this point in the draft is a great selection as the team rounds out their tight end room here. McKitty did not put up flashy numbers during his time as a Georgia Bulldog but he is a solid player. As a third option on an NFL roster, this is a very good group moving forward. He will be a nice blocking option at the NFL level that will hopefully grow his game by contributing to the offense by catching a few passes.
245 (Seventh Round). Jonathan Marshall, DL, Arkansas
The seventh-round is always interesting as some players are diamonds in the rough while others normally turn out to be nothing at all. They will need to prove themselves and win the competition at the bottom of the roster and secure those final spots on the 53 man team.
The Steelers select Jonathan Marshall here as the big man out of Arkansas is a run-clogger that is tough to move around. It will not be the sexiest pick but he will be able to come in and help provide competition against the bottom of the roster defensive linemen and potentially beat them out.
254 (Seventh Round). Darrick Forrest, S, Cincinnati
Safety should be high on the list of needs as the depth behind Minkah Fitzpatrick and Terrell Edmunds is very scarce. The Steelers have to wait till their last selection as they nab Darrick Forrest out of Cincinnati. That team was a solid group that was able to give Georgia fits in their bowl game.
Forrest is not the most athletic or promising prospect in this draft class but bringing someone in to push the bottom of the roster guys is a necessity. Forrest and other late-round rookies will need to provide special teams ability to make this team before the final cuts come rolling in.
The Steelers will have a nice draft class if they can come close to this mock draft. There are some very talented players littered throughout this group of rookies.