The Steelers offseason is slowly unfolding, and it appears as though the team is set to try and make the most of this abysmal offense. Owner Art Rooney gave his full support to the coaching staff and seems to think Pittsburgh didn’t have time to figure out their quarterback room. Thus, the plan seems to be to roll everything back for 2024.
For this mock draft, the Steelers decide to go all out to build the best possible offense for Kenny Pickett to play in. If it fails, it will ultimately be due to the quarterback play, and Pittsburgh will have their answers. Here is my latest mock draft featuring the Steelers going all in on the offense.
Steelers mock draft round 1: Troy Franklin, WR, Oregon
On paper, taking a receiver in the first round is rich. You already have Diontae Johnson and George Pickens there, so another prime investment seems almost foolish. That said, the receiver room is bare after the starters, and the offense is lacking a good slot option. Troy Franklin can fix all of those issues.
A taller, lankier prospect, Franklin found his groove with Bo Nix throwing him passes. He is coming off a monster season where he showed everything from deep-threat ability to refined route running to a nose for the end zone. Add in his elite speed and you have a receiver prospect that, in other drafts, is likely a top-ten pick.
With this rookie class set to be deep, it could allow the Steelers to land him with their first pick. He would be a fit on the outside but could also be a more conventional slot receiver. I’d start him there. Adding him gives the offense three dynamic receivers plus a good tight end. The leash would be rightfully short on the quarterback play.
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Steelers mock draft round 2: Jackson Powers-Johnson, C, Oregon
Double dipping with Oregon talent here, and unlike a receiver in the first round, no one should be shocked with a center on day two. I said in my previous mock draft that this seems like the round to get your guy, as the top names at the position will likely start to get attention and the pool will get shallow at the position.
Arguably the top center prospect in the draft, Jackson Powers-Johnson is a plug-and-play option for the team in a position of need. He isn’t a flashy prospect on tape, nor does he possess an elite frame or athletic skill set. What he provides is a refined prospect who knows how to hold his own in the middle of the defense.
Powers-Johnson has a mean streak when it comes to run blocking. He loves to push linemen back off the snap and bully them out of plays. In space, he will punish any second-level defenders that attempt to take him on. While a mauler in the run game, his pass blocking is a tad worse. In particular, he struggles to counter faster interior linemen, a growing trend of player in the NFL.
With Mason Cole a shell of himself and a likely cap casualty, finding a natural center that doesn’t need to develop at the next level is key. There are a handful of options that make sense there, and Powers-Johnson is one such fit. He would be an instant starter as a second-round pick and continue with the offensive line rebuild.
Steelers mock draft round 3: Blake Fisher, OT, Notre Dame
I really want a tackle early in this draft class. This is another deep group, and while the team will miss out on the two names due to their draft spot, the second tier of options could all still be great starters. Tackle is such a premium position, I would hate to wait that long to add someone.
The benefit of the deep class is that you could land a player like Blake Fisher in the third round of the draft. While not the star prospect that Joe Alt is, Fisher held his own on the right side of the Irish’s line. He has great size, is extremely young, and has all of the traits you want in a top tackle.
The issue is the technicals, as he plays too high and is inconsistent as a pass blocker. He does well blocking the run, especially in space, but he can get beaten by a wide array of pass-rush moves. His functional strength is also lacking, and you would want to see him play with a better push at the next level.
No, you aren’t getting a dynamic starter with this pick, but Fisher has the traits to become a starter, he just needs some help. You may have to deal with Dan Moore for one more season, but if the right coach gets their hands on Fisher, he could become a really good pro tackle.
Steelers mock draft round 4: Beau Brade, DB, Maryland
Our first pick for the defense, and it goes to fill one particular position. The Steelers failed to field a good early-down slot cornerback this season. The days of Mike Hilton serving as a hybrid linebacker and coverage option are gone, and this defense hasn’t been the same since. They have a chance to get that player here in Beau Brade.
While listed as a safety, Brade got most of his work in school as the slot defender. He is a vicious run defender who attacks opposing offenses and fills gaps almost as well as a linebacker would. He is a very instinctive player, which aids him in projecting what the offense is trying to do. As a blitzer, Brade uses his physicality to make plays there as well.
The issue comes down to his coverage ability or lack thereof. He was known to give up the big play in college, and his ability to work well in man or zone is questionable. That said, there is room for improvement, and while he will never be a great coverage option, he could improve there over time.
With Patrick Peterson likely set to return as a hybrid slot/safety, a player like Brade could serve as the early down slot cornerback. This allows the defense to run in nickel more often which allows them to be more flexible. He ’ isn't a perfect player, but he fills a hole that is glaring on this defense.
Steelers mock draft round 4: Spencer Rattler, QB, South Carolina
It seems like a strong possibility that the Steelers take a mid-round quarterback in this draft class. While I am personally against that idea, as their success rate is poor league-wide, there are a handful of intriguing names in this class. Again, with the quarterback room being as deep as it is, you can find some names with potential in the middle rounds.
I threw a dart at Spencer Rattler. At one point in time, many were expecting Rattler to be the first overall pick while at Oklahoma. That hype died down and while he wasn’t the same elite prospect at South Carolina as he was before, his play did get better over time.
Rattler has the arm talent to make just about any throw. From deep passes to short lasers, Rattler has a great arm on him. While not a traditional scrambling quarterback, he has more than enough athleticism to do some damage on the ground when needed. He lacks the size you want in a quarterback, but he has every other trait you would like to see.
The issue with him, besides his lackluster fall from a top prospect, has been his decision-making. At times, it doesn’t look like he knows what he is doing and falls apart. For every great play, he has an equally bad one. That is the kind of risk you are taking by drafting a quarterback in the fourth round, but he rounds out the roster.
Steelers mock draft round 6: Keith Randolph, DL, Illinois
Outside of some offensive line help, I would argue that the defensive line is the biggest need of the team. This group has fallen off in recent years, from the starters down to the backups. Unfortunately, this draft class is short on great defensive end fits, as players are getting smaller there while Pittsburgh wants taller options there.
A name that fits the prototype of a Steelers defensive end is Keith Randolph. While his running mate is getting most of the draft attention, Randolph better fits the mold of what this team looks for in a lineman. Unfortunately, that comes at a cost since his play on the field is very average.
Randolph is your typical run defender, using his strength and length to hold the point of attack and take up space. He offers you almost nothing as a pass rusher, as his moves are limited and he fails to adjust to good counters from opposing linemen. There could be some improvement there, but at his age, he is likely close to his ceiling.
While Randolph will likely never become a good starter, he could serve as cheap depth at the position. If all goes well, he becomes a rotational piece that can play the run. He has the body type this team covets though, so he fits as a potential player from that front.
Steelers mock draft round 7: Omar Speights, LB, LSU
Rounding out the draft, the Steelers add to their linebacker room. This is a weird room to figure out, as a lot of depth was added last offseason, but injuries once again left this room shallow. Assuming Cole Holcomb and Elandon Roberts both come back you have your starters, but depth is needed to fill out this room.
Omar Speights is a jack of all trades. He plays the run well, shows up in coverage, and loves to lay out the big hit. Despite being on the smaller side of linebackers, Speights loves to throw his weight around and be noticed by offenses.
His aggression can get the best of him, causing him to over-pursue allowing cutback lanes to open, but he is a sound player for a late-round option. While he lacks any elite traits to make him a great player, he should make fine depth and do okay as an occasional starter.
This mock draft saw the team attack the roster in some new ways. The focus was on building out the offense, and that is just what this team did. Quarterbacks no longer have any reason as to why they can’t successfully lead this offense.