The Steelers have been busy scouting at the Senior Bowl all week, and they ended up with some participants in this latest mock draft.
Senior Bowl week is the epitome of the pre-draft All-star games as NFL hopefuls try to improve their draft stock. The Steelers are down at the event in Mobile, Alabama to try and get a close look at some draft targets. This mock draft was run through a simulator and does include a trade back by the black and gold.
TRADE: Steelers receive picks 20 (1st), 83 (3rd), 122 (4th) Seahawks receive pick 17, and 2024 6th rounder.
Pick 17 comes around for Pittsburgh and there are still some interesting options on the board. Three different teams dialed Omar Khan’s number to see if he would be interested in moving the 17th overall selection. Seattle made the best offer and the black and gold get a couple of valuable picks in this draft for only dropping back three spots in the first round.
Steelers mock draft round 1: OT Broderick Jones
After waiting three more selections, the Steelers decide to give their fans something to celebrate. Many of their faithful have been begging the club to invest heavily in the offensive line for years and they get a solid prospect here. Broderick Jones ends up being their guy as they take him with the 20th overall selection of the draft.
Jones is only a red-shirt sophomore coming out of the Georgia program, but they have been a healthy producer of NFL talent over the past decade. This tackle carries a high ceiling with him as he will only be 22 years old this upcoming May. He has great size for a starting left tackle at the next level and will allow Dan Moore Jr. to either become a swing tackle or challenge for other starting position across the offensive line.
Steelers mock draft round 2: LB Drew Sanders
Rumors are starting to leak out that the black and gold could opt to address their linebacker position later in the draft. Apparently, the coaching staff was encouraged by how rookie Mark Robinson played down the stretch of last season for them. The belief is that the Steelers will give Robinson a legit shot at being a starter in the middle of their defense next to Myles Jack.
Going against that logic and with a safer solution, Pittsburgh could not pass up Drew Sanders after he fell to pick 32. He is a big and athletic linebacker that had a tremendous season with the Razorbacks after transferring over from Alabama. He would immediately become their best middle linebacker on the team and could help their issues in the middle.
Steelers mock draft round 2: DT Keeanu Benton
Back to the trenches for the Steelers as they have shown a lot of attention to that area during the Senior Bowl. They wait until the middle of the second round for their original selection and take Keeanu Benton out of Wisconsin. Reports came out that Mike Tomlin spoke to Benton at the Senior Bowl and explained how he was on their radar.
Benton is having a good week down at the event and should continue to raise his draft stock during the pre-draft process. He is a run stuffing defensive tackle that needs to develop more as a pass rusher at the next level. He is showing a lot of promise at the Senior Bowl that he can develop and take that next step in the NFL.
Steelers mock draft round 3: S Ji’Ayir Brown
Ji’Ayir Brown had a tough road to the NFL after going from JUCO to Penn State to take over for Jaquan Brisker. Brown held his own and was able to have a season that had his name as an early day two prospect at different points in the process. He has shown the ability that most teams look for in their starting safeties at the next level and he should be able to plug into that.
Terrell Edmunds could end up leaving the Steelers during free agency this time around. That is going to be a huge blow to this club no matter what kind of opinion you hold for Edmunds. Brown could come in and start at the strong safety spot next to Minkah Fitzpatrick if Edmunds is gone, or he could also provide a depth role as well if Edmunds returns.
Steelers mock draft round 3: OT Blake Freeland
Two offensive tackles in the same draft? In this economy? Yes, the Steelers double dip here with two offensive tackles as Blake Freeland falls into their lap with their final selection on day two of the event. This tackle is participating in the Senior Bowl festivities and that has not affected his draft stock as much as others.
Perhaps taking another offensive tackle early is not the exact scenario that will play out, but this provides different options for Pittsburgh with taking Freeland. They could envision him as their left guard and immediately competing for the starting spot with Kevin Dotson. He could also compete for the starting spot on the right side. The goal of this pick is to secure as much internal competition as possible to boost the improvement across the offensive trenches as much as possible.
Steelers mock draft round 4: CB Jakorian Bennett
Jakorian Bennett is down at the Senior Bowl and reportedly spoke to Tomlin directly. The Maryland to Steelers connection is there as Tomlin seems to have some sort of odd infatuation with the Terrapins program. The club gets a cornerback that will likely play in the slot at the next level, which would be good competition for Arthur Maulet and company for this upcoming season.
Steelers mock draft round 4: EDGE Colby Wooden
Colby Wooden’s teammate Derick Hall is put on a show at the Senior Bowl. Wooden is the Steelers selection here as they are trying to find some quality depth at the edge position behind T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith. They get a proven pass rusher in Wooden, but he needs to work on his run defense when he gets to the NFL level.
Steelers mock draft round 6: TE Davis Allen
Tight end is another need for Pittsburgh, and they add some depth here with Davis Allen out of Clemson. He is not a great athlete, but he has a well-rounded game for a tight end prospect in today’s game. The black and gold need a run blocking guy at the position with the likely departure of Zach Gentry, and they find it here with Allen.
Steelers mock draft round 7: LB Carlton Martial
The black and gold double dip at the inside linebacker now as they lack both quality and quantity at the position. They take Carlton Martial out of Troy as his production at the collegiate level is something hard to fathom. The biggest concern with Martial is his size as he only stands well under six feet tall and carries a light frame with him.
The Steelers are able to fill a lot of starting spots in this mock draft and also bring in some depth as well. This would be a nice group of players for the black and gold to bring in on day one to try and improve from last year.