Steelers early season mock draft: addressing the biggest current issues

The NFL season is back, and along with it we have the college season running alongside with it. While not everyone’s cup of tea, the college game will naturally give way to the future of the league as the 2025 draft class is on full display. The Steelers have already been hard at work sorting through this class in hopes of building out its next draft class.

While extremely early in the season, I wanted to give an early crack at a mock draft. For this exercise, I’ll be assuming that the Steelers have a middling season akin to what we are used to, meaning a pick somewhere in the late teens.

With it being so early in the season, pay more attention to positions and scheme fits as opposed to just who is selected, as big boards will drastically change over the next few months. Finally, I am using the board at NFL Draft Buuzz as a base for making my picks and projecting where players end up in the draft.

Without any further adu, the Steelers are on the clock.

Steelers Mock Draft Round 1: Deone Walker, DL, Kentucky

Even with Cameron Heyward inking a new contract to remain with the team for the rest of his career, the Steelers defensive line is in need of a refresh next year. Assuming his play is still good, Heyward will be around as will Keeanu Benton. Beyond that, the room is lacking talent and quality depth. Larry Ogunjobi more than likely will be cut this year unless he has a massive rebound season, leaving a starting spot wide open next year.

Deone Walker has to be my earliest draft crush. A defensive lineman out of Kentucky, he has freakish size at 6’6 and nearly 350 pounds with length for days. He looks like he is built in a lab and could be a rare perfect fit for what the team looks for with defensive linemen.

He isn’t a perfect player. He wins with raw power and size right now, but can also be beaten by more technical players. His size can cause him to play too high, which wipes him out of some plays. The upside is unquestioned though. If he can put everything together he has the makings of an elite player.

Beyond his raw traits, there is a serious question as to where he would play for this defense. His height and length would make him a good fit for an end spot, but his weight is too heavy to play there. He could convert into an oversized nose tackle like Dexter Lawrence, but then he will need to get a grip on his pad level. I’m willing to look past all of that though, as he fills a major need and could develop into a superstar for this defense under the tutelage of Heyward.

Steelers Mock Draft Round 2: Isaiah Bond, WR, Texas

The Steelers made a surprising move this offseason when they traded away Diontae Johnson, leaving them with only one great receiving option. While not having a plethora of receiving options isn’t the end of the world in an Arthur Smith offense, this room is extremely thin. Finding a capable X-receiver would be a wise move next year.

Isaiah Bond provides a little bit of everything. Most expect him to be one of the most explosive athletes next year and he has been dynamic for both Alabama and Texas. What I like about his game is that he combines some sharp route-running with his ability as a deep threat. It provides this offense with something unique.

Many think that Bond will have to move to the slot because he is on the smaller side, but we have seen receivers of his size do ok on the outside. With Roman Wilson as a slot option behind them, it gives the offense a young and talented core to build the passing game through.

Steelers Mock Draft Round 3, Donovan Jackson, IOL, Ohio State

The Steelers have been hard at work revamping their offensive line, and while the top-pick investments likely end in 2025, there will still be work to be done. The team has opted to not extend James Daniels this offseason, and unless he gets the franchise tag, he will almost certainly leave in free agency next year.

While fans will be quick to say that Mason McCormick, and to a lesser extent, Spencer Anderson can come in and start, you also have Isaac Seumalo on an expiring deal the year after Daniels, and banking on two-day-three picks becoming quality starters seems rich to me. Instead, continuing to invest in the trenches seems like the best play.

Donovan Jackson is a low-risk player with a very defined ceiling. He will be a guard only at the next level but possesses every trait you want in a starter. He isn’t great in space, but he is a powerful blocker who thrives against the run and does well to counter power in the passing game. He can push to start right away or figure into the Seumalo replacement plan for the future.

Steelers Mock Draft Round 4: Raheim Sanders, RB, South Carolina

I have the Steelers keeping their fourth-round pick for now. This pick could end up being given to the Bears though for Justin Fields, so it isn’t a sure thing right now. For now, the first pick on day three seems like a good spot to help replace Najee Harris. I’m assuming that the Steelers are keeping Jaylen Warren and will lose Harris in free agency.

To help mitigate the loss, the Steelers grab Raheim Sanders from South Carolina. He is built like your typical power back but has deceptive speed. The goal won’t be for him to start every drive, but he can mix in and serve as the power back in this offense.

Steelers Mock Draft Round 5: Donovan Smith, QB, Houston

It seems like a safe bet that the Steelers will take a quarterback next year in the draft, with the only question being where. If they struggle this year and have the option at a top name in the first round, they should pull the trigger. That said, an average season as has become the norm could lead to the team settling for a below-average quarterback prospect early, and that would be a mistake. Even if they retain one of their current quarterbacks or sign a new one, a rookie in the room is logical.

An intriguing mid-round prospect is Houtson’s Donovan Smith. He has the size the Steelers have converted in quarterbacks in the past, and he is a great athlete. That said, he doesn’t rely on his scrambling ability, instead using it when all other options fail. He can progress through reads well and has good touch on his passes.

My main concern is his arm strength, as he doesn’t possess the most powerful arm. He also has a horrible pocket presence which will lead to a lot of pressures and sacks. Ultimately, he would be brought in as a potential backup, but there are enough traits on top of that to potentially be more.

Steelers Mock Draft Round 5: Davison Igbinosun, CB, Ohio State

Double dipping with the Buckeyes here, the Steelers have a specific type they seem to be targeting in the draft at outside cornerback. Specifically, they want long and tall press cornerbacks, so looking over the options allows a few names to stand out as potential fits.

On day three, you are taking a shot on an athletic freak and hoping he can progress into a capable cornerback if you take Davison Igbinosun. He has that freakish height and length that the team loves and also appears to be a great athlete. The pro-traits stop there though. He is better in man than zone, but he is a liability in coverage at this point. He could take on a special teams role though and develop into some depth at cornerback eventually.

Steelers Mock Draft Round 7: Xavier Truss, OT, Georgia

The focus on building the offensive line continues. This time, the focus is less on finding a capable starter and more on finding a good depth player. The Steelers have invested significantly in the tackle room over the past two drafts, but Dan Moore is set to walk as a free agent so depth is always needed.

The team has had a lot of eyes on the Georgia program in recent years, so taking Xavier Truss makes sense. He also has the size that the team usually likes. What he lacks is technique, and his athletic profile doesn’t appear to be great either. That said, he could develop into a capable swing tackle for this team, so taking a shot on him in the seventh round is a wise investment.

Steelers Mock Draft Round 7: Gavin Bartholomew, TE, Pittsburgh

Tight end isn’t a huge need, especially after Pat Freiermuth inked his new deal, but assuming Arthur Smith is around for a few years, having a deep tight end room makes sense. The Steelers can look local to fill out their room with Gavin Bartholomew, as he makes sense as a second or third tight end.

A promising rookie season has yet to be replicated as the Pitt offense has been very hot and cold since. Bartholomew is a fine do-it-all tight end. He isn’t an elite athlete but can make plays in space, has capable hands, and can block. He is also an asset on special teams. A perfect depth player to add to the ranks.