Steelers mock draft: Pittsburgh foregoes QB to build trenches early

Steelers mock draft round 4 (comp): OT Max Mitchell

I would prefer that the Steelers address the offensive tackle position before the fourth round, as it’s clearly one of the most important positions in football. However, I can see them also trying to improve this position via free agency early in the 2022 offseason.

If this proves to be the case, the Steelers can get a quality swing tackle option in Louisville’s Max Mitchell. At the Senior Bowl, Mitchell stood tough against some pretty good pass rushers, but he still has a lot of room for improvement.

Mitchell doesn’t exactly have prototype size for an offensive tackle at 6’5 1/2” and 299 pounds and his 33 5/8” arms are just about the threshold most teams look for. However, he could prove to be a quality backup to either OT position in time and is solid value at this point.

The Steelers are likely to lose Chukwuma Okorafor in free agency this offseason, while Zach Banner is a candidate to be released, as he could instantly save the Steelers $5 million in salary-cap space. Taking Mitchell at this point in the draft is something Pittsburgh could explore.