With free agency about to bring a wealth of new talent to the Steelers roster over the coming weeks, the needs in the draft will change. It seems like Pittsburgh will have some form of moderate activity when they can sign free agents hitting the open market. With that in mind, this article was written before the start of free agency.
Certain positions have gotten a lot of attention from the black and gold during the pre-draft process. They seem to want to target receiver, cornerback, center, tackle, and defensive line. It could always change depending on what they do in terms of cap casualties and different free agents that they bring in. With those things in mind, this mock draft saw the Steelers get aggressive with their selections.
Steelers mock draft round 1: Zach Frazier, C, West Virginia
Night one of the NFL Draft comes around and the Steelers need a center. It is one of the gaping holes on their roster. Jackson Powers-Johnson is seen as the top center in the class and probably the lone option in round one worth taking. Pittsburgh waits until pick 20, but sadly Powers-Johnson goes a couple of picks before then.
Instead of going best player available, they decide to stick to their guns and select Zach Frazier. We know that the team has a top 30 visit with the club, but that is considered local since Frazier attended West Virginia. It would be considered a reach at 20, but the trade-back offers were nothing great. Omar Khan decides to stick with the pick and get their starting center.
Reports have the black and gold being in love with this prospect, and if they believe in him that much then this isn't an "overdraft". Frazier has a ton of starting experience at center and would have likely shot up draft boards if his health was back to 100%. The health concern shouldn't be an issue by the time training camp comes around, and Frazier is a plug-and-play starter to anchor their offensive line.
Steelers mock draft round 2: Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU
Night two of the draft comes around and the Steelers have one of their needs checked off the to-do list. They still have plenty of concerns on the depth chart, but they want to remain flexible with their picks going forward. With the amount of interest shown in the receivers coming out of the draft, don't be shocked if they take one early.
The Steelers have Diontae Johnson entering his final year under contract with the team. It would be shocking if he signed an extension with the club, and reports are coming out that he might want a trade out of town. Even if Johnson remains on the roster this season, it would be wise to have his successor on the team this year.
As the night chugs along, the black and gold remain vigilant about any prospects they would like to trade up for. One shocking name that fell in this mock draft is Brian Thomas Jr. He is considered to be a borderline first-round pick by many. Pittsburgh places calls about potential moves up to go get him. Those attempts failed, but they were able to select him with their pick anyway.
Thomas is a tall receiver with blazing speed. He only has one season of production in college, but that lone season was explosive. It saw him total over 1,100 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns. He is a reliable option to throw to and someone who would be a great partner next to George Pickens. Thomas would be tremendous value for the Steelers in the second round.
Steelers mock draft round 3: T.J. Tampa, CB, Iowa State
With the second day coming to a close, the black and gold are still keeping their options open. They would like an offensive tackle or defensive lineman, but that didn't materialize. Both of those positions are picked over pretty significantly at this point in the mock draft. The Steelers keep that best player available mindset, and a certain prospect is standing out.
Pittsburgh goes with a cornerback, T.J. Tampa. It's a terrific value in the third round for the Steelers. He has great size for a cornerback and has done well during the pre-draft process. We know that Mike Tomlin and company are familiar with Iowa State and their program. They were at their pro day last year around this time.
Trying to find a reliable partner at the opposite starting cornerback spot will be a big outcome for the Steelers. They could explore that in free agency, but the draft provides a younger and less expensive avenue. Having both Tampa and Porter on the outside should be a quality starting duo for many seasons to come. Tampa will have to prove himself at the NFL level, but that shouldn't be a concern.
Long arms are something both Porter and Tampa possess. That allows them to be effective press corners. That would be tremendous to have at opposite sides of the field for your starting cornerbacks. Getting this prospect at this point in the draft was too hard to pass on. Pittsburgh has neglected some of their pressing needs early, but they get some quality picks.
Steelers mock draft round 4: Cole Bishop, S, Utah
Pittsburgh has to get the safety partner of Minkah Fitzpatrick right. They tried to put a couple of pieces together last offseason and that did not work. The duo of Damontae Kazee and Keanu Neal failed, and most of that was because they couldn't stay on the field due to injury or suspension. Now that Neal is a cap casualty, safety is a big need.
We know that there are a lot of talented safeties available in free agency. The Steelers could always sign one of those players to hopefully stabilize the spot next to Fitzpatrick. One way or another, Pittsburgh has to find a solution at the position so their star safety can return to his normal role on defense. There will be plenty of options for that.
Since this mock draft doesn't know the free agent signings yet, we stick with the current list of needs. The black and gold take Cole Bishop with their first of back-to-back picks in the fourth round. He would be a great fit for what the Steelers need in the safety partner of Fitzpatrick. They require a guy who can cover tight ends and big receivers.
Bishop would provide those things and he also showed the ability throughout his college career of rushing the passer. He was sent to attack the quarterback on blitzes often at Utah. He tested pretty well at the NFL Combine and should be in discussion for a pick around this point in the draft. The Steelers get a safety option that can start for them to kick off day three of this mock draft.
Steelers mock draft round 4: Michael Pratt, QB, Tulane
Another pick on the offensive side of the ball to finish up the fourth round for the Steelers. We know that Pittsburgh hasn't shown much interest in this quarterback class. They still need to get a third guy on the roster. They seem ready to sign someone in free agency and then fill out the room via the draft or another cheap free-agent option.
Russell Wilson, Justin Fields, Mason Rudolph, or even Ryan Tannehill could be some names to watch this offseason. Any of them could be signed as the other option to start for the Steelers, or at least to push Kenny Pickett as the second option. The lack of interest in this group through the pre-draft process thus far is somewhat concerning, but that doesn't mean they won't take one.
Michael Pratt is the pick here. He comes out of Tulane, which is not known for producing many NFL players. The Steelers hope that they get a guy here who can turn into a reliable backup quarterback at worst. If they sign a free agent to be the competition to Pickett, then an incoming rookie like Pratt will feel no pressure to do much during his rookie campaign.
Efficiency is the name of the game when you look at Pratt. He was someone who remained on target and was able to move the ball even though he faced immense pressure at Tulane. He is someone who showed composure in the position, but he couldn't produce significant numbers in college. He is someone that could grow with a better supporting cast around him.
Steelers mock draft round 6: Caeden Wallace, OT, Penn State
You can hear sighs through the screen with Pittsburgh waiting until the sixth round to address their tackle issues. We know that the Steelers like Dan Moore Jr. more than most fans do. They could be ok with entering next season with Broderick Jones at right tackle and Moore on the left side. That is not the ideal situation, but it is something the team is ok with.
With that in mind, this mock draft fell this way. The club selected the best players available with each pick, and they get a good prospect here too. Upgrading at right tackle is something the team seems ready to do. They want to take one high in the upcoming draft when you look at their pre-draft visits with prospects. Having interest and being able to select certain players are two different things.
Caeden Wallace is the pick here as the former right tackle for the Penn State Nittany Lions drops to this point in the draft. He has been having a quality pre-draft process and tested well. He participated in the East-West Shrine event and stood out among those in attendance. Pittsburgh was present and they likely will keep tabs on this player.
He has held a significant role at right tackle for Penn State since 2022. Both he and Ola Fashanu became one of the best tackle duos in college football over the past couple of seasons. This past campaign was the best for Wallace. He is an athletic tackle with a lot of starting experience coming into the NFL. Those are two things that the Steelers will like.
Steelers mock draft round 7: Gabe Hall, DT, Baylor
A lot of desperation felt toward adding a defensive lineman of impact this offseason will depend on one thing. The future of Larry Ogunjobi will have a direct effect on the Steelers to either draft a prospect high or sign an impact-free agent. There are options available that can help them, but in this scenario, Ogunjobi remains in Pittsburgh.
If that becomes reality, no one should expect too many earth-shattering changes. The Steelers will hope for Keeanu Benton to take the next step and for Ogunjobi and Cam Heyward to rebound. Drafting a defensive lineman early is not out of the question, but it seems like they might hold off for now. Getting younger in the trenches is a wise choice, but this mock draft did not work out that way.
With their final pick in the draft, the Steelers take Gabe Hall out of Baylor. He has a lot of good physical size, but his lack of production in college is a problem. He gained a bigger role throughout his career at Baylor, but the production did not improve over time. He is someone that needs work at the next level.
If he can refine his skills in rushing the passer, then Hall might have a role in Pittsburgh. He is worth the gamble with the final pick in this mock draft. He needs work, but he also has some skills that are worth investing in. His Senior Bowl was pretty good, but nothing great. Hall will challenge some bottom-of-the-roster guys in his attempt to make the final roster.