No matter how the Makai Lemon call debacle with the Pittsburgh Steelers is viewed on the first night of the NFL Draft, it did not look good. Lemon hung up on the Steelers after learning the Philadelphia Eagles had traded up to select him. Since then, the situation has brought the team little positive publicity following the conclusion of night one.
The Steelers now need to rebound on day two of the draft during rounds two and three.
The good news for Pittsburgh is that the team enters the second day of the draft with four picks at its disposal. That flexibility should create opportunities to make noise on the trade front, something Omar Khan may explore after the embarrassment of watching the Eagles land Lemon.
This mock draft illustrates how the Steelers could combine good fortune, a potential trade up, and a focused approach to positions of need to push this draft class in a more positive direction.
Pittsburgh Steelers Day 2 mock draft does damage control to stabilize the rookie class
Round 2 | Pick 53: Chris Brazzell II, WR, Tennessee
Many expect the Steelers to be aggressive and move up toward the top of the second round, but there are no guarantees that will happen. Instead, this mock draft has them standing pat, where Chris Brazzell II falls into their lap. He is projected to come off the board earlier in the second round, making this selection strong value. The Steelers are in clear need of a receiver, and Brazzell checks that box.
The less the Steelers have to surrender in a potential trade-up, the better. Khan may only be willing to move if the offer is reasonable. In this simulation, a defensive prospect the team highly values slips to the top of the third round, prompting them to call the Cardinals. The two teams agree to swap early third-round picks, with Pittsburgh also parting with the later of its two fourth-round selections.
Round 3 | Pick 65 (via ARZ): Treydan Stukes, CB, Arizona
After moving up to the top pick of the third round, the Steelers secure a major value addition in Treydan Stukes.
Many evaluators believe he should be a lock to come off the board in the second round, but in this mock draft, he slips past that projection. Pittsburgh needs reinforcements in the secondary, particularly in the slot, and Stukes addresses that need. He is a versatile defensive back who can play effectively in the slot and contribute at other positions as well.
Round 3 | Pick 85: Gennings Dunker, OG, Iowa
Pittsburgh opts to wait and see which prospects fall to its second pick in the third round, and Gennings Dunker is still on the board. The Steelers have clearly placed significant value on Max Iheanachor’s performance at the Senior Bowl, and Dunker impressed just as much during that same week. Landing him at pick 85 represents excellent value, and he should immediately start.
Round 3 | Pick 99 (comp.): Darrell Jackson Jr., DT, Florida State
One thing Khan was not shy about admitting after selecting Iheanachor was his commitment to investing in the trenches.
Darrell Jackson Jr. is among the top defensive linemen the Steelers showed interest in throughout the pre-draft process and selecting him at this stage of the mock draft represents excellent value. While the draft may not have started the way Steelers Nation hoped, this mock draft demonstrates that it can still be turned into a positive outcome.
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