The Steelers were not able to get a spot in the playoffs this year, so now it is time to turn our attention to the draft.
This past Sunday for the Steelers was like a surprise birthday party that someone throws you but barely anyone shows up. They had excitement with their win, but all of that was dashed since they missed the playoffs. Things ended on a good note for Pittsburgh as they were able to show signs of improvement over their final seven weeks, but it was not enough.
The roster is still young and has a lot of potential in front of it. Kenny Pickett was not great in his rookie season, but he did well in specific moments that give hope. He was able to produce in crunch time and get last minute wins over Baltimore and Las Vegas around the holiday season. There is a lot of work to be done on this roster before Pickett and company have a chance at a Super Bowl.
Steelers select Noah Sewell, LB, Oregon in the first round
With their first-round selection in this mock draft, the Steelers decide to go with an inside linebacker. Noah Sewell is one of the two best inside guys in this crop of incoming rookies. He has pedigree as his brother is a starting tackle for the Detroit Lions. Mike Tomlin and the Steelers love prospects that have some sort of family connection to the NFL.
This Oregon product checks off a ton of boxes for the black and gold when it comes to what they look for in their first-round selections. Sewell is a strong run defender and has a ton of athletic ability that should carry over into his coverage abilities. Investing this high into the inside linebacker position might scare some fans, but the team desperately needs to find a reliable starter in the middle of their defense and Sewell accomplishes that.
Second round (via Chicago): Anton Harrison, OT, Oklahoma
Perhaps one of the best trades in recent history for Pittsburgh was shipping away Chase Claypool for the Bears second round pick. That ended up being pick 32 in the draft, which equates to a first-round pick in any other year. The black and gold stay committed to addressing the issues up front and select Anton Harrison out of Oklahoma with their first or two second round selections in this draft.
Harrison is not a finished product, but he should be able to come into camp on day one and challenge for the left tackle spot. He is an athletic guy that has all the physical tools that a team is looking for in the position. Some people have questioned his toughness, but that is not as big of a deal as many would think. The loser of this starting contest could slide into the starting role at left guard.
Second round: Calijah Kancey, DT, Pittsburgh
Perhaps the biggest issue that scouts might find to be an issue with Calijah Kancey is his size. The Steelers overlook that and imagine him gaining some more weight and filling out the rest of his frame. Aaron Donald has a similar build to Kancey and this would be a great selection even if he had half the career of Donald.
Kancey rounds out the second round for the black and gold as they try and find a permanent solution next to Cam Heyward for the foreseeable future. It is going to be hard for Pittsburgh to re-sign Larry Ogunjobi, so drafting a starter will be the likeliest option. They get a disruptive force with this defensive lineman and Pittsburgh continues to target the trenches early in this draft.
Third round: Olusegun Oluwatimi, OC, Michigan
Back in the trenches for the Steelers as they take a center out of Michigan. Mason Cole seems like he will be a starter here until his contract expires, but upgrades need to be looked at. Drafting Olusegun Oluwatimi not only provides competition for Cole but the entire interior of the offensive line.
There are differing opinions on Oluwatimi as some believe he can go anywhere between day two and day three of the draft. He has a ton of experience at center over the last four years and he has become a reliable blocker because of it. Bringing in competition for both center and guard positions will only improve the trenches more for Pittsburgh.
Fourth round: Zach Harrison, EDGE, Ohio State
Zach Harrison does not turn 22 years old until August, and that should interest the Steelers. This edge player did not have the most productive college career, but he has some interesting tools that could make him a better player at the next level. His size and speed are things that should give him a good chance to develop into a solid contributor to this defense.
The Steelers love Ohio State players, and this outside linebacker could be the third option that Pittsburgh has been desperate to find. Harrison is not a finished product, but that is ok for the time being. He will have time to sit behind and develop with T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith in front of him as the top dogs.
Seventh round (via Denver): DeMarcco Hellams, S, Alabama
No fifth or sixth round selections for the black and gold from previous trades made. They have to wait until the seventh round for their final two picks of the draft. They finally come around to their next pick and they take DeMarcco Hellams out of Alabama. Safety could be a huge need for the Steelers if Terrell Edmunds cannot be re-signed.
In this case, let’s just assume that a starting strong safety is already on the roster by the time the draft rolls around. Hellams has had a big role on Alabama’s defense for some time now, but his Senior year was not as good as his junior season. Pittsburgh needs depth at safety with the possibility of Damontae Kazee leaving in free agency.
Seventh round: Ronnie Bell, WR, Michigan
Ronnie Bell is the last pick in this draft class and that is another good value for the Steelers to conclude this process. A receiver might not seem to be a dire need right now, but Calvin Austin III is unproven and there are not too many players to compete for the slot role. Bell is not afraid to try out different deployments across the field and make contested catches.
Although his time as a returner is limited, Bell has shown some ability to return punts and kicks when needed. That is not a highlight of his game, but that is added value when you get to this point in the draft. This receiver is not going to wow you with his production at Michigan, but he was consistent when healthy.
The Steelers were able to attack many of their most desperate needs in this mock draft as they look to improve their roster. That extra pick from the Bears that equates to another first rounder will be a huge benefit.