Thursday night is the granddaddy of them all as the entirety of the pre-draft prep will finally end. The Steelers will likely be busy during night one of the draft as rumors of their potential trade up could still be in the works for a top offensive tackle in this class. We will see what happens with a trade on night one but do not discount the opportunity of trading back from pick 32 that could be presented to this club.
There will be plenty of good players left at pick 17 to choose from if Pittsburgh decides to wait their turn, which is normally custom. Omar Khan will be spearheading his first draft as the general manager for the black and gold. He has shown an uncanny ability to make a lot of noise during his first offseason in command. Do not be shocked if some wheeling and dealing continues throughout draft weekend.
TRADE: Steelers receive picks 9 and a 2024 7th rounder. Bears receive picks 17 & 32.
Khan stays aggressive this offseason and the rumors become reality as a certain tackle prospect slips some in the top ten. Chicago is intrigued with getting their top choice in the second round back that they lost in the Chase Claypool trade. It is a valuable piece to let go of, but this move should allow for the black and gold a chance at selecting one of the top tackles in this class.
This new front office seems very specific in the certain types of players that they are looking for. It is also possible that the Steelers would like to keep their original pick at 17 and move back from pick 32 to gain some extra picks in this draft. They see an amazing opportunity in front of them and feel the need to jump on this deal with the Bears.
Steelers mock draft round 1: OT Paris Johnson Jr.
After the trade up, the Steelers decide to go with Paris Johnson Jr. out of Ohio State. There is a lot of smoke around this organization and the potential of them moving up to take a top tackle like Johnson. Rumors have also swirled around about the potential of moving up for someone like Jalen Carter if he falls to this point in the draft. That seems less likely to happen than moving up with Johnson available around this time in the first round.
Offensive tackle is one of the last spots that this team has not been able to upgrade at to this juncture of the offseason. Johnson will be a plug and play left tackle for this offensive line and become an immediate upgrade over Dan Moore Jr. Both Moore and Chuks Okorafor will battle for the starting job at right tackle with this selection.
Others that were considered: Jalen Carter (DT), Broderick Jones (OT), Joey Porter Jr. (CB), Darnell Wright (OT)
Broderick Jones could be a sneaky trade up option if he falls out of the top 11 picks, which could be a cheaper trade up option. Either Joey Porter Jr. or Darnell Wright could be the most realistic options for the black and gold if they stand pat at pick 17. If either of those two are available at 17, then it could be a toss-up.
Steelers mock draft round 2: DT Keeanu Benton
This seems like the assumed spot where Keeanu Benton will go around draft time. He has risen draft boards from an early day three pick at different points in the pre-draft process to a second-round darling. The Steelers have not hidden their infatuation well with this player. They desperately need a defensive tackle, and they accomplish addressing that need here.
Larry Ogunjobi and Cam Heyward are there to start on the defensive line but there are other spots that still need to be filled. A quality nose tackle that can stuff the run, and someone that can fill a defensive end spot in case of injury is still on the to-do list. Benton would provide an answer to both of those needs as he has shown the ability to excel in both roles in college.
Others that were considered: D.J. Turner (CB), Trenton Simpson (LB), Dawand Jones (OT)
Cornerback is another need that could be addressed early in the draft so someone like D.J. Turner out of Michigan could make sense around this point. It will truly depend on how the draft board falls between the difference of a cornerback or defensive lineman being taken in front of each other. Trenton Simpson is a linebacker that has gotten a lot of attention from Pittsburgh during the pre-draft process as well.
Simpson had dinner with Omar Khan and Mike Tomlin, which is a common trend for top picks. Dawand Jones has seen his draft stock cool off since the Senior Bowl and could drop a round or two because of it. He would be a nice right tackle option on day two of the draft.
Steelers mock draft round 3: CB Darius Rush
Cornerback is the last major need that has to be addressed heading into the third round of the draft. Not having that extra second round pick does limit the Steelers with what they could potentially add on day two, but they get away with another quality selection here. Darius Rush is the selection here as Pittsburgh has shown a chunk of interest in this player. He had a great week down at the Senior Bowl and topped his pre-draft process off well during his testing at both the combine and his pro day.
Others that were considered: Luke Wypler (OC), Ji'Ayir Brown (S), Riley Moss (CB)
Luke Wypler is another name with a good connection to Pittsburgh and could be an interesting option at this point. Ji'Ayir Brown would be able to come onto the team and challenge Keanu Neal for the starting spot at strong safety. Riley Moss has gotten a lot of attention from the black and gold but would be a little bit of a reach here.
Steelers mock draft round 4: OC Olusegun Oluwatimi
Center is another need that has gotten a lot of attention from this organization in the pre-draft process. Mason Cole is the starter this season but someone like Olusegun Oluwatimi would have a year to learn behind him. This would make Oluwatimi the starter next year and provide tremendous depth behind the interior of the offensive line.
Others that were considered: Zack Kuntz (TE), Zach Harrison (EDGE), Henry To'oTo'o (LB)
Zack Kuntz is a talented tight end that should bounce back from his injury that he suffered early last season. Zach Harrison had dinner with Tomlin and company, which could provide solid depth at EDGE. Henry To'oTo'o could be an interesting choice that could push for a starting role on defense.
Steelers mock draft round 7: EDGE Robert Beal
Ideally, this is not the point where the club would like to address their depth issues at outside linebacker. They take Robert Beal here as his ceiling is high and he should develop into a nice depth option behind T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith. This should also keep the door open for a veteran free agent signing to sure up the depth concerns at EDGE.
Others that were considered: Malik Cunningham (QB), Darius Davis (WR), Jake Haener (QB)
Malik Cunningham is an electric college quarterback that could turn into a solid system player under Matt Canada. Darius Davis had a good season during his swan song at TCU, plus he would add competition as a returner. Jake Haener is another name to keep an eye on as he was one of the better signal callers participating at the Senior Bowl this year.
Steelers mock draft round 7: QB Stetson Bennett
Even though Khan and Tomlin seemed neglectful of the thought of drafting a quarterback in this draft, it is the best possibility to address the third quarterback issue. Unless Mason Rudolph miraculously comes back, there needs to be an answer here, unless they are banking on undrafted free agency. Stetson Bennett would be one of the safest choices to come in and become a reliable backup after this year.
Others that were considered: Daniel Scott (S), Charlie Thomas (LB), Viliami Fehoko (EDGE)
Daniel Scott met with the club and would be a nice addition late that provides tremendous special teams ability. Charlie Thomas is a hybrid player as he played a linebacker/safety role at Georgia Tech. Viliami Fehoko is an interesting edge rusher that was productive during his final season at San Jose State