Steelers 2023 mock draft after fallout of the early free agency frenzy
player. . Defensive tackle. Mazi Smith. Michigan. 2. 55.
Steelers mock draft round 2: DT Mazi Smith
Day two comes and the Steelers have the top pick to kick things off. Some trade calls came filtering in, but the club decides to stand pat and take Mazi Smith out of Michigan. He is a huge defensive lineman coming out of the collegiate ranks and could be a massive addition to help this club stop the run.
Smith is not a finished product by any means, but he has a lot of upside to work with. He lined up all over the trenches during his time at Michigan, which is a great thing to have on your resume entering the draft. Pittsburgh would likely have him in a nose tackle role to start his career, before giving him a bigger spot as his development progressed. Larry Ogunjobi was just re-signed so taking someone with a high ceiling is not the worst idea in the world.
. . Nick Herbig. 2. Linebacker. Wisconsin. player. 55
Steelers mock draft round 2: LB Nick Herbig
Some question if Nick Herbig can be an every down edge rusher at the next level, and that is a fair question that continues to be evaluated. The Steelers take him to be an off-ball linebacker coming into the NFL, and the group gets a destructive freak on defense. He is not going to be at a T.J. Watt level, no one will be coming out of the draft this year.
Herbig is a disruptive force that can make plays around the ball. His position flexibility will also allow the black and gold some extra creativity when it comes to their defensive schematics. His older brother is Nate Herbig, whom the Steelers just signed in free agency. Tomlin loves to have football families on his roster and adding Herbig here makes a lot of sense.