The NFL draft order is set with the conclusion of the Super Bowl, and now every team in the NFL has shifted into offseason mode. For the Steelers, this offseason is poised to be a critical one. The recent success of this team has been missing, and fans are rightfully expecting more from this franchise.
The draft this season will be critical for this. Even if you are resigned to the fact that the quarterback issue likely won’t be resolved this season (as I am), having a strong team ready for a rookie quarterback next year will be critical. In order to add some extra assets and still fill needs, I have the Steelers trading back a few spots in the first round.
I don’t love to project trades, but the reasoning for this one is simple: the Steelers top need is a center, and I don’t believe that there is a center worth the pick at 20th overall. Trading back a few spots and picking up an extra third (as I did with the Texans in the draft simulator) makes the selection of a center a good value as opposed to staying pat. With that said, here is my most recent Steelers mock draft.
Steelers mock draft round 1: Jackson Powers-Johnson, C, Oregon
As stated, I don’t think there is a center worth taking at 20th overall. That isn’t to say Jackson Powers-Johnson is a bad player, he isn’t, but I don’t see the traits that will make him one of the elite starters in the league. I personally am more inclined to target a tackle given the talent that could be available. That said, he should be a plug-and-play option and a very good one at that.
Powers-Johnson has the size you want in a center and while not an elite athlete, he moves well enough. In the run game, he is a mauler. He lacks the finesse to take on more technical rushers from the middle, but he has the strength to hold his own against power rushers. There aren’t a lot of weaknesses in his game.
That said, he also seems close to his ceiling as a prospect. He likely won’t be taking any significant steps forward once he is a pro. Again, that isn’t a bad thing, but it is the reason why I moved back a few spots and grabbed an extra third to get some more value out of the pick.
Steelers mock draft round two: Edgerrin Cooper, LB, Texas A&M
On the surface, a linebacker isn’t one of the biggest needs for this team. Assuming Cole Holcomb is healed from his injury, both he and Elandon Roberts should return as the starters for this team. Both played extremely well last season and while neither are elite, they aren’t liabilities either.
This team is still lacking dynamic play out of the position though, and that is something that Edgerrin Cooper can provide. He is the prototype of a modern NFL linebacker. While a little small, he should test out as a great athlete. This allows him to fly around the field and make an impact in the passing and running game.
He also shows a knack for making good plays in coverage. He isn’t just an athlete like Devin Bush was coming out of Michigan, he can diagnose plays well and can hold his own in man coverage. He isn’t a slouch against the run either, as he is quick to diagnose a play and get into the backfield to disrupt.
Taking a linebacker in the second round seems a little rich, but I have a feeling that the Steelers are going to be doing their homework on this second wave of options. Cooper has all the traits to become a great linebacker, and while he will have to share snaps as a rookie, he could provide this team with a long-term starter.
Steelers mock draft round 3: Mike Sainristil, CB, Michigan
While many site outside cornerback as the Steelers biggest need, I am more inclined to shore up the slot position first. Assuming Patrick Peterson is retained, he will have a role there on passing downs, but this team needs to find a versatile slot defender like what they had in Mike Hilton a few seasons ago, as his versatility makes the defense better.
Mike Sainristil could be that guy this year. The Michigan cornerback is on the smaller size, and he lacks the coverage skills to play on the outside. What he does is provide a physical presence in the secondary. Sainristil loves to play the run and is an aggressive hitter in space. He is also looking to disrupt the play on every down.
Every snap he is playing like his hair is on fire, and that should endear himself to this team. They relied on middling names in the slot this past offseason, and they should take the opportunity to get someone who can firmly entrench themselves at the position and make this defense better.
There is a clear ceiling with Sainristil as a player. He won’t ever be an elite player, and his best-case scenario is becoming a top slot cornerback in this league akin to Hilton. For a team that is lacking in the physicality department in the secondary, Sainristil could be a breath of fresh air and a welcome addition to this defense.
Steelers mock draft round 3: Ruke Orhorhoro, DL, Clemson
This is the extra pick acquired from the previous trade back, and the Steelers put it to use trying to get a developmental defensive lineman. In my opinion, the defensive line may be one of the weakest positions on this team right now as a whole. Keeanu Benton played well as a rookie, but Cameron Heyward is getting older. Beyond that, there isn’t a great name to highlight.
Ruke Orhorhoro isn’t a perfect prospect, but there are a lot of things that could connect him to the Steelers. For starters, Pittsburgh has likely been able to see a lot of him already, as they are regulars at the Clemson pro day every year. I’m sure they will be there again this offseason. While the measurables aren’t perfect, Orhorhoro almost has the size this team wants in their base ends.
Where he shined in school was as a run defender. Orhorhoro uses his strength to bully opposing linemen, and he is great at shedding blocks and filling gaps. As a pass rusher, Orhorhoro can occasionally get to the quarterback with his power moves, but he lacks a set plan of moves beyond his power rushes.
Orhorhoro is newer to football though, so there is a good chance that he can continue to grow as a pass rusher over time. He would also be given some time to work his way into a role if he were drafted, as the team can use him in a rotation and on run-downs early on. There aren’t a lot of great fits for the Steelers at end, but Orhorhoro could develop into a decent starter if developed properly.
Steelers mock draft round 4: Jaden Hicks, S, Washington St.
Another name in the draft process I’m quickly developing a crush on, Jaden Hicks isn’t a dynamic coverage safety that is going to wow you with some incredible interceptions. He isn’t going to make incredible plays in coverage. Heck, long-term he likely won’t be contending as a top 10 safety in this league.
What he is is a very safe and above-average box safety, and that is something this Steelers defense still likes to use. They had employed Terrell Edmunds in that role for the longest time, and while no one will consider him a superstar, he served his purpose for the team. Keanu Neal is a similar story, although injuries derailed his first season with the team and he isn’t locked into a roster spot next year.
Hicks lacks the coverage plays that you need in a free safety, and even as a deeper strong safety he really can only play zone effectively. That said, he has the size this team covets in their box safeties and is an aggressive run defender. His ceiling is capped, but he could be an early down safety sooner than later in his career.
You aren’t going to get a perennial pro bowl player with Hicks, but you can get a stable contributor in the fourth round by taking him. His coverage skills aren’t flashy, as he is a classic thumper as a safety, but that is something this defense needs. I love that kind of value in the fourth round for this team.
Steelers mock draft round 4: Cam Hart, CB, Notre Dame
I once again bypassed adding a top cornerback in this draft class, as I have my targets elsewhere and want to take advantage of the depth of the room. That said, after already addressing the slot room in the third round, I decided to add an outside option in the fourth to throw into the mix. Cam Hart makes a lot of sense in this range.
The Steelers haven’t been unique when it comes to what they want in outside cornerbacks. Over the past few years, they have wanted taller prospects with good length who thrive in press-man environments. Justin Layne kind of started that trend, and it continued last year with the additions of Joey Porter Jr., Cory Trice, and Darius Rush (via practice squad addition).
Hart is built in this mold at 6’2, decent length, and he is projected to be a good athlete. On top of this, his Notre Dame tape is highlighted with his physicality. While not a tackling machine, he is more than willing to throw his weight around. In coverage, he contests every catch and doesn’t make it easy for a receiver to catch the ball.
He can be a little too aggressive in coverage though, and that will likely lead to some early penalties like what we saw with Porter. His technique and back peddle can be a bit lazy at times as well, and that will hurt him if he doesn’t sharpen those issues up at the next level. That said, he could develop into a good second cornerback for this defense.
Steelers mock draft round 6: Frank Gore Jr., RB, Southern Miss
A name that should look familiar, as his legendary dad retired just a couple of seasons ago. While he isn’t the same prospect as his father, I think Frank Gore Jr. could be the makings of a great complimentary back for this offense. Considering this team will want to feature the run game under Arthur Smith, having as many viable backs is a good thing.
Gore was a hot prospect because of his name, but his lack of size kept him underrated in many circles. He settled for a smaller school in Southern Miss and didn’t become the feature back until last year. That said, he has been a steady contributor every year for their offense, especially as a receiver. He runs sharp routes and does well in space.
As a runner, he is reminiscent of Jaylen Warren. While not the biggest guy in the room, he runs angry and seeks out contact. He runs like he is Najee Harris size but is instead his compact self. That could turn into a negative as a pro though, as he may not push the pile like he did in school. He will need to get more comfortable avoiding contact and trying to find space as a runner.
It is no secret that the Steelers love bloodlines, and Gore comes from an excellent one. I think he could have an instant role in this backfield as a third option, and his blocking and special teams potential look good. For a sixth-round pick, you can’t ask for much more.
Steelers mock draft round 7: Julian Pearl, OT, Illinois
The early pick at center meant the Steelers missed out on the top tackles in this class. This is the price you pay, and why I am personally more inclined to go tackle early if a top name falls to pick 20. I dabble into the tackle class with the last pick of this class though, going with Julian Pearl out of Illinois.
Frankly, this is a size issue for the team, as, like cornerback, tackle is becoming a position where they covet a certain size and length. Pearl fits that at 6’5 with projected 35-inch arms. A little taller and heavier perhaps, but this is as close to perfect as what Pittsburgh is targeting for their tackles.
As a prospect, there isn’t anything that stands out on his tape. He doesn’t consistently flash a nasty demeanor or a mauling nature. He also doesn’t get consistently beaten off the edge, meaning he could carve out a role as a tackle and won’t have to kick inside. This is a very unexciting pick, but it adds another body to the room and gives this team more options to fill out their tackle depth chart.
This mock draft is a mixed bag, but it hits a lot of needs. The trade back in the first still lands you a top tackle and an extra third-round pick, which was big. That said, tackle remains a question mark, and Dan Moore’s job would seem to be safe after this draft.