Looking ahead at the NFL draft it seems like a possibility that the Pittsburgh Steelers could look for answers at quarterback. It is the most important position in football and Kenny Pickett has not had a great game since being the starter for nearly two and a half seasons. On top of his lack of production, he has routinely been injured which could bring into question his dependability.
Pittsburgh will take a long look at their options at quarterback from free agency to trades to the draft process. They need to find answers and quickly if they wish to try and turn this ship around for a better future. Pickett could very well be the starter next season too, but this mock draft worked perfectly in their favor and it allowed them to take an upgrade at the position.
Steelers draft an electric talent at quarterback after he falls into their lap
The best-case scenario for those of you who would like the Steelers to move on from Pickett would be a top quarterback falling into their lap. Normally, a team would have to trade up for a top player at the position, but no one knows where the second-tier players will go. Jayden Daniels should be there still if the black and gold select in the middle of the first round.
They sit back and watch the picks roll in with Caleb Williams and Drake Maye going in the top five selections of the draft. The Steelers wait their turn and take the Heisman winner from this year. Jayden Daniels is an electric playmaker with the ball in his hands. He has a strong arm to throw the ball deep and can use his legs.
As the draft process plays out, and if the Steelers miss the playoffs because of their poor quarterback play, fans will start to demand Daniels to Pittsburgh. He can do it all and the numbers that he produced at LSU were mind-boggling. He will probably be the third quarterback listed on most boards because of his amazing numbers and unique abilities.
The mock draft continues strong here as they get positions of need
Night two of the draft kicks off and plenty of quality players go before the Steelers selection. They would love to get a quality center, but all three centers they like are still there. They get shocked that T.J. Tampa is still there to be picked and that's who the Steelers go with. Joey Porter Jr. is the number one cornerback going forward, but Tampa should be able to fall in well.
He is a great size for a cornerback and he excels in press coverage. Mike Tomlin showed a lot of interest in the Iowa State program during last year's draft process. One would have to imagine that Pittsburgh took notice of someone like Tampa. He would be a great get at this point of the draft. A good start to this mock draft.
Everything is off to a great start for the Steelers thus far as they round out day two of the draft by taking Zach Frazier out of West Virginia. One of the best things about Frazier is the amount of experience that he comes into the NFL with. He played plenty of games throughout his four years as a member of the West Virginia program.
He is going to be a center at the next level and should come in and challenge for the starting job on day one. Mason Cole or not, it seems like the center position needs a retool. Frazier would be able to push Cole for his job if the veteran were brought back. Frazier is someone that should gain steam and raise his draft stock the closer the big day gets.
More depth and possible competition joins the team in round four
Going to Yale immediately tells you that this prospect is smart. He has played a lot of football throughout his college career and has played on the left side. He has started games at guard to begin his career, but he has been mostly at tackle over the past couple of years with the Bulldogs. He is a raw athlete at the offensive tackle position coming into the NFL.
He has a great size with him too, which the Steelers front office will surely like. Kiran Amegadije might be more of a project player rather than a plug-and-player tackle, but Pittsburgh still has Dan Moore Jr. to start if needed. It's also possible that Amegadije might have to slide inside to guard to have more success at the NFL level. A quality project player at this point of the draft.
Safety has been a point of concern on the defense this season most of the secondary has been an issue. The black and gold consider that and take Jaden Hicks out of Washington State here. He is a big safety who is not afraid to find work on the football field. He could be a good role player to start.
Damontae Kazee is better in coverage than some other safeties on the team and who knows what the future of Keanu Neal holds. Hicks is a tough and physical safety that can plug holes against the run. His issue remains in coverage as he does allow plenty of completions. He will need to improve in that aspect of his game if he wants to become a full-time starter.
The Steelers round out the mock draft with a couple gamble picks
A couple of things here Zakhari Franklin could be a boom candidate as his past production in college is great. But the issue is that he transferred over to Ole Miss this season and nothing happened for him there. He seemed to refuse to play in certain instances, which could be a big concern moving forward. He has all the skills you'd love in a receiver.
Franklin had a great career at UTSA and hoped that moving to Ole Miss would skyrocket his draft stock. The opposite has happened and he could fall out of the seven rounds if he grades out poorly at the combine and in interviews. Pittsburgh takes a draft gamble here as they hope his size can develop into a dependable receiver for the team moving forward.
Another gamble pick here to round out this mock draft for the Steelers as they take Jordan Travis. He is their final selection of the draft and someone who is recovering from a season-ending injury. Travis was enjoying a Heisman-type year before that injury occurred. His impact was felt the most when Florida State was left out of the college football playoffs because he would be missing, despite the team finishing with an undefeated record.
The hope with this pick would be someone who could recover from his injury to the fullest and push Pickett for the backup job. The Steelers need a dependable backup that can come in and not have too much of a drop-off if Daniels were to be injured. Travis should be able to provide that. Pittsburgh would then carry three young quarterbacks that would push each other.