Free agency is still in full swing, and Omar Khan has shown that he is not afraid to wait out the process to sign some big deals. He just got Patrick Queen to join the Steelers and traded away Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers. There are still plenty of holes to fill on this roster. The draft will play a big part in filling those voids.
Don't count out plenty of other free agency moves ahead to help fill some of those roster holes. The draft will be used to round out the team with rookies who will need to play pivotal roles heading into next season.
Expect Pittsburgh's front office to remain busy over the next several months as they try and boost their team into playoff contention. For now, it's safe to say that their moves in free agency have impacted their draft strategy. Here's what I have Pittsburgh doing in my latest seven-round Steelers mock draft.
Steelers mock draft round 1: Troy Fuatanu, OT, Washington
The obvious interest of Amarius Mims is there from the black and gold. They attended Georgia's pro day and there are plenty of NFL starters coming out of that school. With that being said, there are plenty of other top tackles that could fit what the Steelers are looking for in the top rounds. They go with Troy Fuatanu in this mock draft.
Many thought that he would need to slide inside to guard before the NFL Combine. He showed everyone watching that he can more than hold his own at tackle. He is an athletic freak for his size and that should give him a great chance at becoming a quality starting tackle. His smoothness as he moves in his stance is something that will get him selected in round one.
Pittsburgh needs an upgrade at right tackle, and it seems unlikely that they address that in free agency. They want to keep the amount of money sunk into the offensive line off their books for a little while longer.
Fuatanu is a great start to this mock draft as they get a quality upgrade at right tackle and allow Broderick Jones to move over to the left side.
Others Considered: Amarius Mims (OT), Jackson Powers-Johnson (C), Brian Thomas Jr. (WR)
Steelers mock draft round 2: Sedrick Van Pran-Granger, C, Georgia
As mentioned earlier in this article, the Steelers sent every big decision-maker to the Georgia Pro Day. That means likely one or both of Mims and Sedrick Van Pran-Granger could end up being Steelers. Upon writing this article, Pittsburgh still has not signed a quality starter to fill their void at starting center. They might try and hold off until the draft to address that need.
Everyone talks about both Jackson Powers- Johnson and Zach Frazier being top guys for the Steelers, but don't pigeonhole yourself. Both Powers-Johnson and Frazier would be great gets, but it's unlikely that either of them will be available when Pittsburgh picks in the second round. Van Pran-Granger might be the only one left.
Before this past college season, most had this prospect as their top center prospect coming out of the draft. He was not able to participate in most of the pre-draft process thus far and that has caused his draft stock to dip. Powers-Johnson has had a tremendous pre-draft process, while Frazier and Van Pran-Granger get back from injury issues.
Don't let that deter you from the idea of taking this center at this point in the draft. There are plenty of pressing needs for the Steelers right now. Both right tackle and center are two of them. Pittsburgh wants to be committed to keeping their rebuild in the trenches going.
Getting a starting center in the draft is something they have to come away with in the top three rounds unless they get a quality center in free agency.
Others Considered: Keon Coleman (WR), Mike Sainristil (CB), Ruke Orhorhoro (DT)
Steelers mock draft round 3: Roman Wilson, WR, Michigan
With Diontae Johnson being traded earlier in the week, wide receiver has become a major need. George Pickens and Calvin Austin III cannot be your only starting options going forward. There are plenty of avenues left in free agency for the Steelers to at least fill either the slot or outside receiver roles on their starting offense.
Pittsburgh has shown a lot of interest in top receivers in the upcoming draft. We now know why since they dealt Johnson to the Carolina Panthers for Donte Jackson and a swap of picks.
With that being said, expect another free agent to be signed to either start on the outside or in the slot. That will still give this team another need to fill.
In this mock draft, Pittsburgh takes Roman Wilson out of Michigan. We know that Mike Tomlin watched closely as Wilson put on a show during the week of the Senior Bowl. Despite that effort, it seems like he will be a Day 2 pick. He was able to slip until the Steeler's third-round selection in this simulation. This would be a steal.
One thing about Wilson coming into the NFL is that he can either play outside or in the slot at the next level. He seems ready to be an outside receiver, but his size could always force him in the slot, which is no knock. He didn't have great production at Michigan, but that was a run-first offense. This would be a tremendous pick in round three and would give the fans a huge sigh of relief.
Others Considered: Khyree Jackson (CB), Jalen McMillan (WR), Xavier Worthy (WR)
Steelers mock draft round 4: Spencer Rattler, QB, South Carolina
Right now, Pittsburgh seems to care less about looking at the different quarterbacks coming out of this draft class. They didn't attend the South Carolina Pro Day, so normally that could write off prospects like Spencer Rattler and Xavier Legette. One thing the Steelers will never look past is value based on how the draft plays out.
Rattler has been rising draft boards since his strong performance at the Senior Bowl. He isn't much of a runner, which was proven with his poor 40-yard dash time. He is a smart player with a lot of starting experience. He seems primed to be selected late in the third round, but he was able to slip until the fourth round.
The Steelers have Russell Wilson and Kenny Pickett on the roster to compete for the starting job. They need a third player at the position heading into next season, so the draft seems like an obvious route for them to take. It would allow them to have another cheap quarterback option on the roster unless a free agent has a low cost to be the third-stringer.
Rattler is someone who probably won't top out as a quality starter at the NFL level. He will probably be somewhere around an average quarterback who can start games for you and provide smart and quality starts. He won't be a franchise guy at the next level. The Steelers get a reliable backup that can develop into their number two in another year.
Others Considered: Michael Pratt (WB), Kamren Kinchens (S), Jeremiah Trotter Jr. (LB)
Steelers mock draft round 4: Tykee Smith, DB, Georgia
Another Georgia Bulldog enters the fold here as the Steelers finish their back-to-back picks in the fourth round. Again, we know the Steelers have a ton of top decision-makers present at the Georgia Pro Day. Mims and Van Pran-Granger will get most of the attention but don't discount the fact that Teryl Austin is in attendance.
The defensive coordinator will be looking at the different defensive backs that are coming out of the Bulldog's program. Tykee Smith is getting a ton of interest from the Steelers heading into the NFL Draft. He has spoken directly to Mike Tomlin countless times both at the Senior Bowl and the NFL Combine. Now he has Tomlin and company watching him at his Pro Day. That's usually a positive when the Steelers take players in the draft.
Smith is someone who can fill a couple of different needs for Pittsburgh. He is technically a safety, but he played a variety of roles in college. He has played safety, linebacker, and slot corner during his time at West Virginia and Georgia. With Jackson being traded to the black and gold in the Johnson deal, outside corner seems to be a lesser need.
They still need someone who can play quality snaps in the slot on defense, unless they sign someone in free agency. Smith at this point in the draft is quality value. He can wear many hats and both Tomlin and Austin will like that about his game. Smith can deploy across the field and allow for the defense to have some unique looks next season.
Others Considered: Max Melton (CB), DeWayne Carter (DT), Cam Hart (CB)
Steelers mock draft round 6: Jordan Jefferson, DT, LSU
It would be somewhat concerning if the Steelers fail to address the need for a defensive tackle. Cam Heyward is coming back from injury, but he should not be expected to return to his previous form. Larry Ogunjobi failed to live up to his contract last season, but it is unknown about his future. Keeanu Benton is a quality piece in the trenches for Pittsburgh.
It seems like they could sign an upgrade during free agency, but that still has not happened upon writing this article. If they fail to add some quality depth or an upgrade over Ogunjobi, then this will remain a need. They could always neglect it this offseason if they can't make things work. If they can't sign a free agent, then expect them to at least add a depth piece in the draft.
It is not the strongest year to take an interior defensive lineman. Pittsburgh ends up taking Jordan Jefferson out of LSU. He made headlines during the week of the Senior Bowl. He lashed out after a contentious rep in practice and ripped off an offensive player's helmet. Jefferson then threw that player's helmet after that play ended.
It was an act of frustration, but Jefferson is someone who could have interest from the Steelers. He played most of his college career at West Virginia. That local connection is there, but he did transfer to LSU for his fifth-year senior season. He doesn't have great numbers in college, but he has a lot of strength that could mold him into a quality depth piece.
Others Considered: Dillon Johnson (RB), Tyrone Tracy (RB), Myles Murphy (DT)
Steelers mock draft round 6: Tyler Owens, S, Texas Tech
Still, no starting safety was announced in free agency. You should see that change if it hasn't already by the time this article goes up. The free agency class at safety is much stronger than the draft class this year. There are still some interesting names out there from star power to quality starting options. Pittsburgh can still make some noise in free agency.
If they sign a starter then it is unlikely that they would double-dip at the position like in this draft. But as mentioned earlier, Smith is a versatile defensive back and not just a safety option. Miles Killebrew is currently a free agent, and no one knows yet if he will return. Adding another late-round safety might be the best-case scenario in this mock draft.
Tyler Owens is the final pick in this mock draft as he can also play a couple of different roles on defense. He is more slated as a physical guy who can play close to the line and stick in the slot. He is a big safety who has proven himself as a quality athlete. He did not have the best career in college, but he made an impact when he had a chance.
He started off his college career at Texas where he saw little playing time. He eventually transferred to Texas Tech where he did not see significant playing time until this past season. Owens can play multiple roles on defense, and that will only give the Steelers more options between him and Smith. A good depth piece that can contribute to special teams.
Others Considered: Kimani Vidal (RB), Nehemiah Pritchett (CB), Tarheeb Still (CB)