The Steelers have seemingly made the bulk of their free agency moves, and while a few straggling names could be brought in, this team likely has all eyes on the draft. With three high picks in this draft, the team should be able to land some quality talent that can start early on. While picking purely for need isn’t a great strategy, it can work out if the board falls correctly.
This draft sees the Steelers target the usual suspects to fill their needs. I’m not going to lie, I think it turns out pretty well. There are still weaknesses following this draft, but it lands some quality talent that can fill starting roles early and develop into key reserves later on. Here is my updated Steelers mock draft.
Steelers mock draft round 1: OT Broderick Jones
I am not overly convinced that the major addition to the offensive line is coming in this draft. With so many resources being used along the interior and plenty of needs elsewhere, it isn’t a lock that a lineman goes early. If the Steelers do opt for the offensive trenches, a tackle seems like a safe bet.
The Steelers have shown interest in two of the top three tackles, and I have them landing Broderick Jones in the first round. Let me be clear, there is a lot of projection with Jones as a prospect. He has the size you want in a pro tackle with the athleticism to go along with it. Despite this athleticism, he plays like a mauler and is constantly finishing plays.
His technique is rough at times, and he won too often with his power at the college level. He can also be too aggressive at times and get out of position. Add in a limited amount of starts and Jones will need some work in the pros.
He would land in a good spot though, as Pittsburgh has a pair of tackles that they can start while developing Jones. Andy Weidl has shown in the past that he will target trench players early and often, and Jones fits that bill. He can serve as a backup early on and develop into a starter. The sky is the limit for Jones though.
Steelers mock draft round 2: CB Emmanuel Forbes
With Patrick Peterson signed and a slew of other fine starters behind him, the Steelers don’t need a day-one-ready cornerback in this draft class. Peterson has spoken numerous times about how he loves to mentor, so grabbing a prospect that has a lot of potential, even if there is a learning curve implied, makes a lot of sense.
While Emmanuel Forbes lacks the technique and instant impact some of the top cornerbacks will have in this class, he has a tremendous ceiling. Beyond just ball skills, which he has an obvious knack for, Forbes is a capable man coverage cornerback. He uses his athleticism to hang with speedy wide receivers deep.
Beyond his ability to make plays, Forbes is also a physical defender. He hits hard and loves to come up and play the run. He needs to add some mass to his frame, as he is far too lean right now, and his technique in coverage needs to improve.
That’s why the Steelers are a great landing spot. He can serve as a reserve in his rookie season, build out his frame, and earn from the likes of Peterson. Long-term, he should be a more than capable starter along the outside for this team.
Steelers mock draft round 2: DL Keeanu Benton
Keeanu Benton was an early draft crush of mine, and it appears as though the Steelers are equally interested in him. The former Wisconsin lineman is powerful, and that power is his standout trait. He wins by bulling opposing linemen back and disrupting the play. As well, he can take on multiple blockers and allow other defenders gaps to make plays.
The lone issue with Benton’s game is his lack of a pass rush. Outside of his bull rush, he doesn’t possess any standout moves to apply pressure. Even if that never develops, he has the makings of a great run defender. That is something this defensive line has been lacking and should be welcoming with Benton.
While he played as a nose tackle, he also has the potential to shift to the end eventually. Initially, I like him as the primary nose tackle for this defense to get him snaps. With Cameron Heyward, another year older, Benton could eventually shift to end (assuming he gets better as a pass rusher). He has an instant impact and would be a huge get for this defense.
Steelers mock draft round 3: DB Jordan Battle
The three names above all have some potential and will need to be developed. Jordan Battle is the opposite, as he seems to be close to his ceiling as a player. This means he can start early, even if he doesn’t have the perceived ceiling of some of the other names in this mock draft.
What Battle will be able to do, and early, is see the field as a traditional strong safety. He has the size you want, a hard-hitting nature, and the ability to sift through traffic when playing in the box. His coverage skills are lacking, but he fits the mold of a strong safety that can move into the box. Long term, if he gets better in coverage, he could also be a versatile slot defender.
The Steelers need another capable safety right now. Damontae Kazee is projected to start, but he could also move into the slot, allowing Battle to play at strong safety early. I don’t foresee him ever being a top safety in the league, but Battle should be a fine starter and fill a big need for this defense early in his career.
Steelers mock draft round 4: EDGE YaYa Diaby
One of the biggest needs on this team is a quality reserve edge rusher. The Steelers have struggled to fill that void in recent years, and it has added strain and injury issues to the positional group. I was personally hoping for a veteran to join the squad as a capable third man, but that doesn’t appear to be happening.
YaYa Diaby is another strong and stout defensive prospect. He tested as a freak athlete despite being very hot and cold in college. He has a few different pass-rushing moves that make him a valid edge rusher for a team. His run defense is weak, and he will need to get better at reading plays if he ever wants to be more than a rotational player.
Even if he only becomes a situational player, he has the athleticism to be a great special teams player and a fine third edge rusher. If either of the Steelers starters were to get injured, this defense would be in trouble again. Upgrading the third edge rusher spot is a must if no veteran is added.
Steelers mock draft round 7: TE Brenton Strange
While a tight end isn’t a major need for the team with Zach Gentry returning to the fold, I still think a third traditional tight end makes sense. It appears as though the Steelers are going to use Connor Heyward as their fullback and tight end this season, so carrying four total tight ends makes sense.
Brenton Strange is a perfect second or third option for this team. He can throw a block and attack the seam. He isn’t a great athlete, but he has soft hands and can be a fine security blanket in a pinch. He won’t be a big play threat, but he should be a capable reserve that can step in if an injury occurs.
Steelers mock draft round 7: QB Stetson Bennett
Stetson Bennett is a hard quarterback to figure out in this draft class. He seems like a very safe prospect, as he is older and experienced at the college level. His lack of physical traits limits him to being a pure backup, but that still has value. If he were available late, he would make sense for a Steelers team that needs a third quarterback.
Bennett isn’t going to be a quality long-term starter, but he thrived with talent around him. He screams long-term backup quarterback, and if the Steelers could land him this late, he would make sense and fill out the depth chart. I hate using another pick on a quarterback, but Bennett has a clear path to the team and makes sense this late.
This mock draft lands some big talent at glaring holes, and while the instant impact might not be there (I would expect only Benton and Battle to be starters early on), it could go a long way in shaping this roster. There would still be needs, but this roster would be more filled out if the draft shook out this way.