The Steelers are almost at a point of desperation right now. They have slipped into a dangerous trend of mediocre seasons with safe offseasons to maintain the current level of play. It seems like the team is trying to avoid losing seasons as opposed to winning games.
With this mock draft, the team tries to buck that trend.
We have seen recent drafts trend toward the conservative side. This has worked well enough, the team has gotten steady contributors, but the drafts lack the elite playmakers that put good teams into the great category.
These prospects are boom or bust in this three-round draft. If they hit, you could be looking at a team-changing player for years to come. That comes with a low floor though, and if these players aren’t developed well, they won’t become great options.
That is your risk and reward though, and this team needs some star power. If everything pans out, this draft could be a turning point for the Steelers.
Steelers Mock Draft Round 1: Shemar Stewart, DL, Texas A&M
The defensive line is quietly one of the bigger needs for the team this offseason, and this draft can be the perfect cure for those woes. This has to be one of the deepest defensive line classes in recent history, and you can find talent all over the board.
Of those names, no one player has a higher ceiling than Shemar Stewart. He has played all over the defensive line at Texas A&M, and he used his size to dominate in school. He is a freak athlete for his size, and on the surface, he looks like an absolute beast.
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His play in college wasn’t always that though. He never had an elite college season to hang his hat on, and his sack production was never that great. A lot of that is because his technique is still pretty raw.
You aren’t taking him expecting him to be an instant star though. While he can rotate initially on any line, he needs to learn how to better utilize his frame and athleticism. Playing behind Cameron Heyward would honestly go a long way in getting him to reach his ceiling.
If he can’t put everything together though, his floor is pretty low. He needs to take some major steps forward as a run-and-pass defender. If he can hit the top of his ceiling though, you are looking at a potential top interior defender for years that is stout against the run and effective as a pass rusher.
Steelers Mock Draft Round 2: TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State
With Najee Harris on his way out, the Steelers will look to add some complimentary backs around Jaylen Warren. In particular, a back with some speed would be a welcome addition to this room, although the Steelers have historically not done well with smaller and shiftier backs.
TreVeyon Henderson is a great middle ground. He was a home-run threat in college and has enough burst and acceleration to make defenses pay. He is built well though, as he is over 200 pounds and has a slightly stockier frame. While not the big power backs this team usually targets, he has enough size to function as an every-down player.
He does his best work when he can see a hole early and burst through it. From there, he uses his shiftiness to make guys miss. Once he gets in space, the jets turn on and he is hard to catch up to. Add in his receiving ability and Henderson can do it all.
The risk comes in two ways for the Steelers. As said, speed backs have typically struggled on this team, and while Henderson has some size, he isn’t in the perfect mold of what this team looks like.
The other risk is that Henderson was always splitting snaps outside his first season at Ohio State. That’s fine, there is value in a rotational back, but using a second-round pick on that guy would certainly draw some critiques. Ideally, you would want a guy who can be your top back, even if he starts his career splitting carries, and Henderson might not be that guy.
No matter the value, Henderson would step in and be an instant threat on offense and add depth to the backfield. For a team that has lacked big plays on the ground, Henderson can be a cure-all for those woes.
Steelers Mock Draft Round 3: Harold Fannin, TE, Bowling Green
A tight end over a receiver? The fact of the matter is, once you get out of the top two rounds, the premiere receivers dry up. Considering the Arthur Smith offense loves to utilize multiple tight ends, adding a capable third option makes some sense.
Harold Fannin is no usual tight end either. He broke the tight-end receiving record last year at Bowling Green, and in his three years there he was extremely productive. He did enough to earn an All-American for his effort.
While he would be listed as a tight end and can be used like that, the goal would be to get creative with where he lines up and utilize him as a hybrid receiver. This would lead to more two-receiver sets and multiple tight-end formations.
The risk comes from Fannin’s small school status. He put up great numbers but his competition wasn’t elite. Add in the smaller frame and you will need a great scheme to get the most out of him. If not, he will wash out as a lackluster backup tight end.