The Pittsburgh Steelers have been abnormally active this offseason and that could lead to a big trade at the draft.
The Steelers have been very aggressive to this point of the NFL offseason. They have done many things that would be considered not the “Steelers way” of doing things. Kevin Colbert is about to retire, and he wants to try and hit his outgoing offseason out of the park.
Pittsburgh has been all in at observing and scouting the different quarterbacks during the pre-draft process. They have spoken to and dined with many of the top players at the position thus far and more could be on the way. This class might be deemed weaker than other classes, but they still have some players with solid potential.
The higher-ups for this franchise may have added a quarterback capable of starting in free agency with Mitch Trubisky, but they seem to want to add more to the group. There has been a lot of interest shown for a signal-caller being drafted and it seems more likely that one will be within the first two rounds.
This mock draft was able to acknowledge the club’s flaws and needs on the roster, while also continuing the aggressiveness that the black and gold have shown. They are showing a want to find a way to compete this season and beyond by pushing the envelope of normalcy in this organization. Getting a young player into the fold that can grow and learn behind a starter will be the best option for this crop of quarterbacks.
Not too many top talents have the readiness for the NFL, but their ceilings are high. It could be a risk-taking one in this draft, but the black and gold seem primed to take that bet. They were able to move back into the first round in this scenario and that would be very unusual for this franchise.
1.20: Chris Olave. WR. Ohio State
The Steelers stood pat here and still got a great value at pick 20. The higher-ups didn’t attend the Ohio State pro day so this would already go against the tradition of first-round selections. Normally the team will have dinner with their top choice in the draft, but they couldn’t pass up on Olave here.
He would be a great choice for this team as they desperately need a receiver or two before the season begins. This player would be able to come in and start right away in the slot. He has some of the best route-running skills that the draft hasn’t seen in years.
This would be a great start at rebuilding the receiver group and it would also keep the Ohio State pipeline going. Normally Pittsburgh would go to their pro day, but a focus on quarterbacks has changed that. This would go against the grain here, but without Malik Willis or Kenny Pickett on the board, the team gambles for a quarterback later.
Many fans will have hope that the team can acquire a player like the top two in this class, but that is not likely. They would need to trade away their first-round pick next year and that might not be an option for the Steelers. They will likely stand pat unless someone starts to slip some, and they can pay an affordable trade price.
TRADE: Steelers receive picks 30 & 2023 6th rounder, Chiefs receive picks 52, 2023 2nd & 4th rounders.
1.30: Matt Corral, QB, Mississippi
The Steelers saw one of their top quarterback prospects starting to slip past the first round, but they trade back up to get him. Matt Corral could very well be in the conversation for pick 20, but the black gold couldn’t pass up on Olave earlier. They go back into the first round and keep their top pick next year and get the guy they want.
They went to his pro day and had many people on hand. Corral would fit the bill for what this team has been looking for. They want someone that has the mobility and arm strength that can help engage Matt Canada’s offense. They get that here with a young player that still has his best football ahead of him.
Not only was it important for Pittsburgh to jump ahead of the remaining quarterback-needy teams that would follow on night two, but they get another major asset. This first-round pick comes with a fifth-year option that the team would like to keep in their back pocket in the future. That extra year will allow the team to determine if this is their future of the franchise or not and get a chance to keep him for an extra year to see if he develops.
Corral has been electric during his playing days for Ole Miss. He has been able to strategically use his legs to keep the offense moving down the field. He has a solid arm and tries to stay in the pocket when it is there. He runs when he has to, not when he wants to. He will need work and time to develop an understanding of complex NFL offenses, but he will have time to figure things out.
3.84: Darrian Beavers, LB, Cincinnati
Darrian Beavers is one of the better linebackers in this draft that hails from a smaller program. The Cincinnati Bearcats have developed into a great program that was once not well respected. This player was a cornerstone piece for the defense during his time there.
He is a sound tackler that shows nice sideline to sideline quickness. He needs to show more in coverage at times, but overall, this is a great selection in the third round. One of his best traits is the ability that he possesses to get after the quarterback. He is one of the best linebackers in the blitz department for this positional group.
He has been able to show an ability to both blitz on the outside or inside of a defensive front and has shown great results. He has been a very productive player as a Bearcat and the Steelers have shown interest during the pre-draft process. Mike Tomlin watched him closely going through individual drills at his pro day.
This would be a great pick at this point of the draft, but Beavers could always go sooner than the third round. Many have him going at some point on day two of the event. This is a great class thus far in this mock draft scenario for Pittsburgh.
4.138: Matt Waletzko, OT, North Dakota
Matt Waletzko is a project tackle that a team can help try and mold into a starter in this league. He has the size and length that teams are looking for in NFL tackles. He is a clean piece of clay that new offensive line coach, Pat Meyer, can work with.
Waletzko is light in the weight department so that causes some of the biggest concerns for this player. He has the basic size and frame that teams want so just adding weight and working on his fundamentals will be the main hurdle. Waletzko has a high ceiling, and the team still needs to find players at the tackle position going forward.
6.208: Brad Hawkins, S, Michigan
Brad Hawkins played beside one of the top safety prospects in this class, Daxton Hill. The two of them made for one of the best safety tandems in college football. He projects to potentially become a strong safety in the NFL with the size that he carries with his game.
He is a later-round pick, but the Steelers need to figure out what they are going to do at the safety position soon. They need a starter upon the writing of this article. The club also needs to bring in-depth competition and someone to push for a special team’s spot as well.
7.225: Dontario Drummond, WR, Mississippi
Dontario Drummond just finished his best season in college football as he finally eclipsed over 1,000 receiving yards. He became one of Matt Corral’s favorite weapons on offense and this player reaped the benefits. He is still expected to go very late in the draft, but he was too hard to pass up.
The Steelers still need to figure out the receiving group and adding both Olave and Drummond start to provide some depth and competition. This player probably wouldn’t be a starter, but the team wouldn’t need that with the first-round pick entering the fold.
7.241: Decobie Durant, CB, South Carolina State
Decobie Durant is a player from a very small school, this is where Javon Hargrave and Donnie Shell attended college. This has become one of the better programs in their conference and Durant put up a very respectable stat line there. He was one of the best corners during his entire four seasons of starting.
He will have to prove himself on special teams to make this club. There is always an option where he also outperforms one of the other players on the roster, but special teams are how rookies make clubs. It would be an uphill battle, but this player could prove that his production didn’t rely on just poor competition.
The Steelers were able to address some needs in this mock draft after trading back into the first round. This would be unprecedented by the Steelers, but they have been very aggressive this offseason.