Steelers mock draft: Pittsburgh takes a balanced approach in 2022

Steelers mock draft round 3: LB Brandon Smith

The Steelers could approach the third round with several needs in mind. If the draft plays out the way it has so far, Pittsburgh could still use an offensive tackle and help on the interior defensive line. As of now, I’m predicting that these are two holes they will attempt to fill in the free agency period prior to the NFL Draft.

While cornerback is still a pressing need, I have the Steelers going with Penn State linebacker, Brandon Smith. The former five-star recruit is a very good athlete with excellent size (listed at 6’3” and 241 pounds). Though he wasn’t absurdly productive in two years as a starter in college, Smith is a former five-star recruit and comes from a program the team is very familiar with.

In 2019, Pittsburgh traded elite draft capital to move up and grab Michigan LB Devin Bush. However, that move obviously hasn’t gone according to plan. Even if Bush turns his career around in year four to become a quality player for the Steelers, I would be shocked if Joe Schobert returns with his massive $9.7 million cap number in 2022, and the team could save $7.8 million by cutting him this offseason.

Colbert spent t a fourth-round pick on linebacker Buddy Johnson last year, but it wasn’t encouraging that he rarely saw the field despite terrible linebacker play in 2021. Meanwhile, Robert Spillane and Marcus Allen are unrestricted free agents this offseason. Brandon Smith would be great value at this point, and pulling the trigger on the young LB here makes sense.