Steelers mock draft: Rounds 1-7 based on need and pro day meetings

The Steelers go back to back in Michigan with two of their final 4 picks

The Steelers need a second fiddle in the backfield. Najee Harris may be a budding superstar, however, touching the ball 200 times a season is a good way to shorten a superstar’s career. Haskins is a good pass protector, has good hands out of the backfield, and is a patient runner whose style would make him a fierce complement to Harris.

With Stephon Tuitt’s playing status up in the air in 2022 defensive interior becomes an area of interest. The growth in Chris Wormley, the return of Alualu, and the flashes of upper-tier play in Montravius Adams and Isaiah Loudermilk allow the Steelers to wait to address this area until the end of the draft. Hinton is a rotational run-stuffer who could fill out the bottom of that position group at the cost of a late-round pick.

The Steelers are taking a flier here at tackle in Van Denmark. They are getting a tackle that needs a lot of coaching but has great size and an insane 85-inch wingspan. Tackle may be a need but Pittsburgh is serviceable at that position until next year’s draft, provided Dan Moore doesn’t make a big leap in year 2 of the young tackle’s career.

While Carter has a thin frame and isn’t as athletically gifted as a lot of the wide receiver prospects, he is a very sharp route runner which is a great way to raise your floor coming into the league. If Carter puts on a little bit of lean muscle he could easily make this roster behind Diontae Johnson, Chase Claypool, and Romeo Doubs. That is already a win with a 7th-round pick.

The Steelers have put themselves in a position to address needs without having to overextend financially or in terms of draft capital. I am excited to see how this draft will play out as Pittsburgh looks to move forwards from the Roethlisberger era in the Steel City.