Steelers 7-round mock draft: Trade helps the OL and defense
By Andrew Falce
Steelers round two
The trade back with the Jaguars now means the Steelers have a pair of second and third-round picks. With those new resources, adding some capable defenders and bolstering the line is a priority. One of the standout names from the Senior Bowl happens to be Boston College’s Zion Johnson. The versatile linemen can fill a variety of holes and be a key starter on this team moving forward.
Johnson isn’t the biggest or strongest lineman in the league, but he has a good bit of athleticism that allows him to work in space as a blocker. As well, he is a very technical blocker, utilizing his shorter stature to gain leverage and bully linemen off the line. He has a nasty streak as well and plays with a lot of passion on any given play.
The lone issue you may see is that Johnson is already close to his peak as a player. He projects as a good-not-great guard at the NFL level, and while many All-Pro’s aren’t likely in his future, he may develop into a regular Pro-Bowler. At worst, he has above-average starter written all over him. A safe pick at a position of need makes sense for this team. The trade-back nets a few extra picks while the Steelers still get a capable starter for their team.