It has been one of the most hectic starts to free agency in recent memory for the Steelers. A slew of trades and a few surprise free-agent signings have really left this team in flux. I put out a mock draft before all of the fun began, and boy oh boy have things changed.
With the flurry of additions and subtractions to this roster, I wanted to try my hand at another mock draft as free agency slows down and the focus shifts back to the draft. This team has a lot of needs, and while another free agent or two will be brought in, the draft will be pivotal in acquiring what this team needs. Here is my updated mock draft a week into the offseason.
Steelers mock draft round 1: Brian Thomas, WR, LSU
It almost seems sacrilegious to take a receiver in the first round. The entire offseason has been dedicated to completing the offensive line rebuild, so taking a receiver in the first seems counter-intuitive. That said, following the Diontae Johnson trade, a receiver is arguably the biggest need for this team along with a center.
Brian Thomas fits all of the boxes that you could want in a receiver. He has great size and impressive athleticism. All of that was on display at LSU. Thomas was one of the premier deep threats in college, with the ability to separate well on deep routes and the ability after the catch to make a big play.
He needs to develop a better route tree (as most college receivers do), but the sky is the limit for Thomas. He can make an instant impact as a deep threat in the Z while allowing George Pickens to shift more into the X role. This gives the team at least two viable receivers and the potential for a superstar tandem in the future.
Steelers mock draft round 2: Zach Frazier, C, West Virginia
I’m getting a little sick of the contingent of fans saying that all of the centers are going to go extremely early in this draft. There are two top names with Zach Frazier coming in as the distant third. He has had some first-round buzz, but based on the historical track record of how centers are drafted (I’ll be looking into that soon), I really don’t buy it.
I think Frazier will be available somewhere in round two, and if the Steelers have their choice, he may be their preferred option in the second round. While he lacks the top-end athleticism that some of the names have, he has a consistent mean streak to his game and he acts as a mauler when in the trenches.
There is some work that will need to be done in the pros. He needs to add some bulk and get stronger at the point of attack. His play also doesn’t pop off the tape. To me, he screams a steady presence who may not garner a lot of accolades, but he can man down his spot on a line for 8-10 seasons.
He hasn’t been able to test due to some lingering injuries, so that should further help his cause as a potential second-round candidate. The Steelers haven’t added a center yet this offseason, and while they could (and really should) find a depth option, Frazier can be the guy from the moment he is drafted.
Steelers mock draft round 3: Patrick Paul, OT, Houston
If I had my way, the Steelers would be set to take one of the ample top tackles in this class in the first round. Offensive tackle is arguably the most important offensive position sans quarterback, and this class is as top-heavy as any ever. There is a real shot at a blue-chip prospect being there at pick 20.
Given the current state of this team though, other needs took higher presidence, but I’m not leaving day two without at least a developmental player. And who better than Patrick Paul? While not as refined as some of the top names, he has the rare size that the Steelers covet in linemen, making him a perfect fit for their room.
Despite his tremendous size, he is actually a far more efficient pass blocker than run blocker to this point. He uses his insane length to make first contact and write pass rushers out of the play. Blocking on the run is a different story, as he loses leverage and can get pushed back into the pocket. He needs strength and better technique all around before he can be counted on as a franchise player.
That said, he would enter the year as a clear third tackle and likely swing player initially. While he can compete with Dan Moore for a starting spot, I think his first year would be best served on the bench where he can refine his game. If he can put the pieces together though, he could be a viable starting tackle with a huge upside.
Steelers mock draft round 3 (via PHI): Max Melton, CB, Rutgers
Max Melton has been on my radar since early in the draft season due to the Steelers need at the position as well as his fit. While a cornerback in college where he played both inside and outside, he projects as a dynamic slot cornerback at the next level. He lacks the coverage skills to thrive as a boundary cornerback and seems like a perfect fit to fill in as a slot option.
With Donte Jackson here and a few unproven names behind him, that isn’t the end of the world. This team hasn’t had a dedicated every-down slot cornerback since Mike Hilton and the defense has suffered because of it. Melton would given them a player who can play run-downs given his physicality and is fine in coverage.
Melton also tested as a great athlete, something this defense has been lacking. He can cover anyone out of the slot as well as use his speed to blitz the quarterback. His back peddle is bad (something that can be hidden in the slot) and he can take some wild angles on tackles, but overall he is a sound nickel cornerback prospect.
While he will never be an every down starter for this defense, having a quality slot cornerback allows your defense to be that much more versatile. Melton profiles as one of the best all-around inside cornerbacks this year, and I’d love to see him land with this defense and provide some stability at the position.
Steelers mock draft round 4: Maason Smith, DE, LSU
Maason Smith may be one of the hardest draft projections for me right now. Early in the year, he was garnering some first-round hype due to solid play early in his career and his impressive build. His past season at LSU was horrible though, as he regressed as both a pass rusher and run defender. He would have benefited from another year in school given his age.
Because of this, Smith has seen his projection fly all over the place. From a second-round option all the way to a day-three pick. While this seems like the lower end of the spectrum for Smith, he was available in my simulator, so he was the pick. Despite the lack of production, there is a lot to like about Smith.
His build is a dying breed in the college game. Defenses are focusing on smaller and stouter interior pass rushers, a prototype that doesn’t fit into the Steelers scheme. Smith is a throwback to the defensive ends of old. Tall, long, and athletic, his build is his best trait right now. As a player, he lacks refinement in most areas of his game. He will need a lot of development at the next level.
You aren’t taking Smith to be a starter or even a rotational player right now. Give him a full season with sparse playing time to learn behind Cameron Heyward. Long-term, the traits are all there for him to become a good starter, but he needs a lot of work. I’m more than willing to take that risk in the fourth round.
Steelers mock draft round 6: Joe Milton, QB, Tennessee
Is quarterback still a need at this point? I can’t tell anymore.
In what has been the most surprising moves of the offseason, the Steelers have completely overhauled their quarterback room. Every player from 2023 has either walked, been cut, or been traded, and in their place are Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. It is truly a new-look Steelers team when it comes to the offense.
Do the Steelers need to draft a quarterback? Not necessarily, but both of their current options are on one-year deals (assuming Fields doesn’t have his option picked up), and having a viable backup long-term makes sense. There are a lot of flaws with Joe Milton as a player, but he has some traits that you can’t help but love.
What stands out on tape for Milton, besides his production, is his arm strength. It is very rare to see a player this late in the draft have his type of arm strength, as he can make just about any pass with relative ease. That is a coveted trait for an NFL quarterback.
The issue is everything else. His footwork is poor and his accuracy is horrible. It won’t matter how far Milton can throw a pass if he never hits his targets. Given his age, it isn’t likely that he can develop much more either. If he can get his arm in check, you could have something here. If now, he can at least serve as depth.
Steelers mock draft round 6: M.J. Devonshire, CB, Pittsburgh
I was looking to double dip at receiver this year given the lack of depth in the room, but I also think adding a developmental outside cornerback could be worth it for the team. As stated before, I am not targeting an early cornerback with Jackson on the roster given the other needs the Steelers have. Devonshire could be great value though.
While he is on the shorter side of things, Devonshire has the length and athleticism to play press well. He is an instinctive player as well, as he can read a play well and anticipate as opposed to just reacting. His length also allows him to contest most passes and swat away balls.
While being under six foot may deter the Steelers given their focus on extremely tall cornerbacks, Devonshire offers a player with low-end starter potential in the sixth round. He needs to work on his ability to track deep passes, but he would have plenty of time to learn given the other players currently on the roster.
It has been a frantic start to this offseason for the Steelers, and while the big moves may have calmed down, this team still has needs. This mock draft is an attempt to fix those, as the Steelers land a big-play receiver for the offense, fix the line, and add some defensive depth.