The Pittsburgh Steelers are set to head in a completely new direction, and this team will look towards their plethora of draft capital to help shape this roster for the future. This team will likely retain its veteran roster given Mike McCarthy’s addition as coach, but this team will still use this surplus to fill out the roster.
This roster needs help, and it needs it in the worst way possible. From impact early round picks to future contributors, every pick can help this team.
With college players officially declared now for the draft, we know the field of players that will be eligible to be taken. I wanted to throw out my first initial mock draft of the offseason.
Time will tell what changes as this team adjusts and adds free agent talent, but for now, this takes the shots needed to improve this team. It even includes an aggressive move for the Steelers to land a top player at a position of need.
The Pittsburgh Steelers trade up to land a true difference maker in the first round
While I hate doing it, there is a trade in this mock draft, but it is for a good reason. The Steelers need a top receiver in this draft. That means landing one of the top three names, as everyone else feels more like a complementary piece.
As the PFF trade board continues, we see Jordyn Tyson get selected by the Titans while Carnell Tate, my favorite receiver in this class, goes to the Chiefs. That leaves just one truly elite receiver left.
My attempts to trade up for the Cowboys' pick fail, but the Rams happily accept my highest third-round pick (the selection acquired for George Pickens) to move back eight spots. To me, that is well worth the cost.
Steelers Mock Draft Round 1: Makai Lemon, WR, USC
Makai Lemon is exactly what the Steelers need at receiver. While DK Metcalf is your classic height-weight-speed freak, Makai Lemon can win with his sharp route running and the ability to get off the line quickly.
The Steelers needed someone who could create separation on their own last year. Metcalf was constantly double-covered, and no one else could beat their single coverage.
Lemon can.
While it costs an extra third round pick, the Steelers have capital to spare. You can hold out hope that one of the later first round receivers pan out, but Lemon feels like he is in a different tier. He instantly gives whoever is quarterback a lightning-quick target.
Steelers Mock Draft Round 2: Kamari Ramsey, DB, USC
Double-dipping on USC talent, safety isn’t an immediate need for this team, assuming Jalen Ramsey is back. That said, we saw how tested the depth chart was last year, and both starters at safety are getting older.
Enter Kamari Ramsey. There is arguably no better pure coverage safety in this class. He can play deep and take away the deep ball while also coming into the slot and following receivers with his man coverage skills.
That gives him instant value as a rookie. He can serve as the third safety and compete for the slot role out of the gate. Assuming this is Ramsey’s last season in Pittsburgh, he can shift to free safety permanently next year.
Steelers Mock Draft Round 3: Skyler Bell, WR, UConn
Looking to add even more talent to the Steelers' biggest pain point last year, Skyler Bell is another savvy route runner. He can flat-out beat anyone in space and get open. He also has good speed, and I would assume he tests more explosively than even Lemon.
So why does he fall to the third round? He struggles against physical cornerbacks when on the outside. This eliminates him from certain plays. He has struggled with drops in college. Those issues will likely limit him at the next level.
That said, he can compete in the slot right away with a veteran to give this team a strong group of receivers. Quarterback is still a question, and two rookie receivers may struggle to connect with Aaron Rodgers if he is back, but this gives the Steelers a strong foundation to work on at receiver.
Steelers Mock Draft Round 3: Will Lee III, CB, Texas A&M
While not the true avatar cornerback that the Steelers have targeted, Will Lee still has plenty of size to covet. He loves to get in the receiver's space and disrupt their paths. He is sticky in man coverage.
Lee also loves to hit and is one of the most physical cornerbacks in this draft. Run defense matters, and Lee loves to come up and make tackles.
There are concerns about his game. He feels lean and could benefit from a few extra pounds to bulk him up. His zone coverage is shaky. Perhaps his biggest flaw is a lack of top-end speed, but he still produced in the SEC.
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He would need a year to get up to speed in the NFL, but could serve as the third cornerback behind either James Pierre or Asante Samuel. Long-term, he could be a viable option next to Joey Porter Jr. as man coverage cornerbacks.
Steelers Mock Draft Round 4: Keylan Rutledge, IOL, Georgia Tech
Offensive guard is such a weird position to project this year. It feels like Isaac Seumalu is set to depart, and while Spencer Anderson has played well, he may be better suited for the sixth offensive lineman role. Even if the team wants him at guard, he is also entering a contract year, so a long-term answer is needed.
Enter Keylan Rutledge. The Georgia Tech guard is a big physical mauler who has all of the tools that you want in a good starting player. That said, his technique is all over the place, which will cause issues early in his career.
He can come in as depth in year one while honing his craft. If he can develop quickly, he could see starting snaps sooner rather than later.
Steelers Mock Draft Round 4: Harold Perkins Jr., LB, LSU
Linebacker feels like a position that could be drafted earlier than many anticipate. While Patrick Queen and Payton Wilson are fine starters, both feel like they are underwhelming. Another infusion of talent could be useful.
Harold Perkins has some injury history, but he is a twitchy, athletic coverage linebacker. His tackling is questionable, but he plays with good instincts. At worst, he should be a good special teams player.
Steelers Mock Draft Round 5: DeMonte Capehart, DL, Clemson
While the Steelers have a strong top four along the defensive line (assuming Cameron Heyward doesn’t retire), an instant impact player isn’t needed. That works fine for DeMonte Capehart. The Clemson defensive lineman has the perfect size to play defensive end for this defense.
His consistency and technique need a lot of work. That said, he can take a redshirt year to learn the ropes and serve as depth. He has all of the tools to be an effective player down the road, though.
Steelers Mock Draft Round 6: Taylen Green, QB, Arkansas
The Steelers don’t have an answer at quarterback yet, so they need to take shots at the position until they find one. They got a safer option late last year with Will Howard, so they can take a risk with a boom-or-bust option in Taylen Green.
Green has all of the physical traits you want in a quarterback. From the size and speed, to a cannon of an arm. After that, though, he is a mess. That said, if you can develop him, he has every trait you want in an elite quarterback.
Steelers Mock Draft Round 6: Elijah Pritchett, OT, Nebraska
Nothing is certain with Elijah Pritchett, as despite being one of the most physically imposing players in school, his play has never matched that. He has everything you want from a physical perspective at tackle.
Everything else is raw, though. He needs a lot of work to be even a serviceable backup. With the Steelers' three tackles deep, though, he doesn’t need to be an instant impact player. He can take a year or two to develop into a more capable pro.
Steelers Mock Draft Round 7: Chip Trayanum, RB, Toledo
It is rare to find a big bruising back with good long speed, but that is just what you have in Chip Trayanum. However, he failed to produce in college despite multiple destinations, and he feels like a major question mark beyond his ability to just run north and south.
Running back isn’t a huge need, but once again, I’ll take a swing on an athletic freak. It wouldn’t be the first time an unproductive runner in school turns into a good running back in the pros.
Steelers Mock Draft Round 7: Bryce Foster, IOL, Kansas
Rounding out the draft is a safe prospect. Bryce Foster is an established name with solid athleticism and tape. However, his small arms will limit him at the next level to a reserve player.
That is fine for the Steelers. They could use a boost at the backup center spot, and he also has the size to play guard if needed. Pittsburgh has been aggressive in rebuilding its offensive line, and now they need to use some of these picks to add depth.