Mock drafts are a fun resource in a simulation to see what could arise when the NFL Draft starts. The Pittsburgh Steelers hosted 30 pre-draft visitors, and they would love to pick from that list. They could infuse good young talent onto their roster if they land six good players out of that group. That's wishful thinking, but the Steelers have found ways to select plenty of players off that list before.
The top needs for Pittsburgh remain at running back, defensive line, and quarterback. Aaron Rodgers appears to only have the Steelers as his last option to play this season. He will likely end up with the franchise, but time is starting to grow thin. Hopefully, that drawn-out romance will find a conclusion before the drafts begin. Otherwise, it could cause some last-minute drama.
If the Steelers fail to address their top needs at the beginning of the draft, their fans might riot.
The Pittsburgh Steelers struggle after taking a luxury pick in 4-round mock draft
Steelers Mock Draft Round 1: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
Each draft brings a unique player who slips through the cracks in the first round. In this mock draft, the Steelers sit at their pick and wait to see who is available. Most experts still believe Will Johnson will remain a top-20 pick in the upcoming event, but there are no guarantees. The star Michigan cornerback has refused to run a 40-yard dash, which is a red flag for those who play his position.
Most believe he would have tested poorly, which resulted in his denial. Johnson remains a quality prospect at the position, even if he ran slower than some of his fellow prospects. He has elite instincts with the ball in the air. The Steelers would have to consider Johnson if he were still available with their top selection. He is a terrific value to kick off this simulation.
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Steelers Mock Draft Round 3: Jaylin Noel, WR, Iowa State
Keep an eye on the Steelers taking one of the Iowa State receivers in the draft.
Jayden Higgins has gained plenty of buzz as the process winds down, but Jaylin Noel is flying under the radar. None of the top defensive tackles were on the board, so now Pittsburgh is between a rock and a hard place. Noel is a crafty weapon to add on offense, but the club has Roman Wilson returning from injury. There are other quality options left in free agency, too.
Taking Noel at this point in the mock draft provides stability to their receiving core. Noel will probably play in the slot, but he can play outside if necessary. With George Pickens and Calvin Austin III becoming free agents after this year, they need a plan for the position. Noel is a player who isn't getting much attention, but the likelihood of Pittsburgh taking one of Higgins or Noel is high.
Steelers Mock Draft Round 4: Kyle McCord, QB, Syracuse
We have reached the point of this mock draft where fans could become furious. Should the Steelers target a quarterback high in this draft? No, probably not. The question should be, will they? Evidence points to Pittsburgh taking a quarterback with one of their top choices in the upcoming event unless the position has a similar slide to the 2022 draft. It's a weak class, but they've done their homework.
This appears to be the perfect spot where the Steelers could take a quarterback. Kyle McCord had a pre-draft visit with the organization and was the last of their interested signal callers left on the board. He will never become a franchise guy, but at this point in the draft, McCord could become a reliable backup similar to Mason Rudolph's career.