As the NFL Combine concludes, fans of the Steelers start to recognize how close the NFL Draft is getting. There will be plenty of talented prospects coming out of the event this year and Pittsburgh has plenty of needs that have to be filled. Free agency will be a part of the process for filling those voids, but the draft is always a big part of the offseason.
Currently, the Steelers have needs at center, right tackle, cornerback, slot cornerback, defensive tackle, quarterback, and linebacker.
There are other pressing issues, but those positions are the biggest concerns right now. Free agency will affect who the Steelers draft based on who they sign, but we go forward with this mock draft not knowing that information. With the 2024 NFL Combine in the books, here's what I have Pittsburgh doing in my latest seven-round Steelers mock draft.
Steelers mock draft round 1: Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
Starting round one here with a popular pick. Amarius Mims is a raw talent coming out of Georgia. He is coming off tightrope surgery, which is the same procedure that Kenny Pickett had done last season. The Steelers are familiar with that and should be able to find comfort in Pickett's progress in his recovery. Mims is healthy and will participate in the NFL Combine.
Right tackle needs an upgrade after Chuks Okorafor became a cap casualty a couple of weeks ago. Broderick Jones took over as the starter on the right side, but he needs to find a way back to his more comfortable side. The Steelers traded up in last year's draft to have him as their left tackle, and that means an upgrade on the right side needs to happen.
Mims has not started a ton of games in college, both from working his way up at Georgia and missing with an injury this past season. He is raw, but the incredible athleticism that he brings with his game will get him in the first round.
Mims has a lot of talent and that was evident when he dropped jaws at the NFL Combine. Mims would be a good start to any draft class for the Steelers. The question now is whether or not he even makes it to the 20th overall pick after impressing in Indianapolis.
Steelers mock draft round 2: Braden Fiske, DT, Florida State
Round two comes around and the Steelers want Zach Frazier. They thought about trading up in the second round, but they couldn't find any takers. The makeup of the trade would have involved their second-round pick this year and one of their two fourth-round selections too. Pittsburgh was not able to move up and someone took Frazier in this mock.
With both Frazier gone and Jackson Powers-Johnson taken in Round 1, Pittsburgh has to pivot to another need. They decide to get younger in the defensive trenches and select Braden Fiske out of Florida State. He is an older prospect coming out of the draft, but he has a ton of starting experience. He is someone the Steelers will show interest in.
Fiske spent his final year in college at Florida State, but before that, he played at Western Michigan. He played his first four seasons there and quickly became a role player for their defense. He eventually gained a starting job but had to move elsewhere to get more recognition. This guy has been disruptive during his collegiate career no matter if it was at Florida State or Western Michigan.
Fiske is the type of player that the Steelers would love to add to their defensive line core. He is still young enough to develop and has shown the ability to grow his game. He has some quality pass-rush moves but needs some work disengaging and tackling against the run. An amazing performance at the NFL Combine is sure to elevate his draft status, but Pittsburgh will pounce if he's still on the board in the second round.
Steelers mock draft round 3: Sedrick Van Pran-Granger, C, Georgia
Sedrick Van Pran-Granger didn't test as a very explosive athlete at the NFL Combine experience, but that could work as an advantage for the Steelers who can take the Georgia center in Round 3. Van Pran also pulled out of the Senior Bowl last minute, which disappointed many. If he could have gone and had a good week at the event, he could have moved up draft boards. The Combine is the latest offseason event to hurt his draft stock.
With Mason Cole becoming a cap casualty, the Steelers realize the problem they currently face at center. With that in mind, this mock draft hasn't completely gone to plan for the black and gold. They wanted Frazier or Powers-Johnson but that didn't happen. They could have felt pressure to take Van Pran-Granger in Round 2, but that feels too rich.
That paid off as they were still able to get their guy in the third round of the draft. The Steelers made a huge gamble because, after this prospect, the others behind him are not considered as high quality as the top three. Pittsburgh gets a starting center on day one, and someone that was considered the top center in this class at one point in time.
Van Pran-Granger has held a starting role on the Georgia offensive line since his sophomore season. He has only conceded one sack during his three years of starting for the Bulldogs. The Steelers would have three Bulldogs on their offensive line. That should help them all grow and allow their chemistry from college to carry over to the NFL.
Steelers mock draft round 4: Max Melton, CB, Rutgers
Day 3 of this mock draft starts up and Pittsburgh holds two picks in the fourth round this year. They still need a cornerback, linebacker, safety, quarterback, and other positions. They won't be able to address every single issue, but that is what free agency is for. With that in mind, the Steelers decide to take the best players available at certain positions.
They use their first of back-to-back picks in the fourth round by taking Max Melton out of Rutgers. We know that some quality secondary members have come out of the Scarlet Knights program before like the McCourty brothers. Melton is someone who has seen increased playing time throughout his years at Rutgers and has routinely shown signs of improvement.
The Steelers need to find an outside cornerback option to play opposite Joey Porter Jr, Melton is someone who projects to be a starter on the outside, but his size is a little concerning as he stands under six foot. He doesn't meet the criteria for the ideal cornerback size, but that doesn't mean he won't be a good corner at the next level.
He is best in coverage and that has led to him battling in one of the toughest conferences in college football. Rutgers is not a great program right now, but Melton stood out among his teammates. He needs to continue his progress at the next level to become a star player, and he seems primed to do that. Melton had a good week at the Senior Bowl and should carry that through his pre-draft process.
Steelers mock draft round 4: Tommy Eichenberg, LB, Ohio State
With how much pre-draft interest the Steelers are showing at linebacker, it would be baffling if they didn't select one. It seems like they could be primed to take a middle linebacker anywhere from round one to round four in the upcoming draft. They have a need there, and it could become an increasing problem if certain things occur.
Cole Holcomb is still working his way back from his season-ending injury. According to some reports, he might not be ready to go at the start of the regular season. If that is true, then most should expect the black and gold to take a linebacker early in the draft. The Steelers have plenty of needs to fill, but they had to wait until round four in this mock draft scenario.
Tommy Eichenberg is the pick here and it has been reported that Pittsburgh met with the Ohio State product at the NFL Combine. He has held a big role for the past three seasons as a member of the Buckeyes program. We know the Steelers love going to their pro day, and that could put Eichenberg on the short list of potential selections.
This linebacker brings physicality with his game and a ton of starting experience. 2022 was his best season overall, and he struggled in coverage this time around. He is a quality run defender and has been able to show some coverage ability in the past.
Eichenberg didn't test as a great athlete at the NFL Combine, but his performance in Indianapolis could solidify his status as a fourth-round pick. He should be able to jump onto the Steelers roster and provide rotational snaps on defense as well as a core special teams role.
Steelers mock draft round 6: Sam Hartman, QB, Notre Dame
Quarterback is the wild card position for the Steelers as many conflicting reports have come out. With all the speculation out there, it seems certain that Pittsburgh is open to any idea that might make their quarterback position better. No matter if that is Pickett improving, having Rudolph becoming the starter, or finding an outside option to become the answer.
It is never a good sign if your team is all ready to move on from a quarterback, but with how poorly Pickett has played, it makes sense. The Steelers want to take advantage of having a top defense, so they need to have an offense led by a competent quarterback. It seems like they will add someone in free agency and fill out the room with a mid to late-round pick in the draft.
They decide to take Sam Hartman in the sixth round to be their third option on the depth chart. Either Rudolph or an outside free agent would be the competition for Pickett in this scenario. Hartman is someone who has a high floor and low ceiling when it comes to his potential growth moving forward. He comes out of college as an older prospect.
Composure is something that Hartman carries with his game. His transfer over to Notre Dame didn't go to plan, but he was able to show he can play in big moments. Behind the top prospects at quarterback in this class, there are not too many great names. Hartman is someone that can become a solid backup option for the Steelers.
Hartman was unimpressive at both the Senior Bowl and the NFL Combine. He doesn't have starting upside, but he could serve as Pittsburgh's QB3 with a chance to slide into a backup role eventually.
Steelers mock draft round 7: Ryan Rehkow, P, BYU
Calm down, everyone! Don't get upset that the Steelers used their last pick in this mock draft on a punter. Special teams are vital to today's offensive-led game. Field position has won and lost games for many. Pittsburgh released Pressley Harvin III earlier this past month, and punter has become another need. The club may double dip at the position.
Free agency seems like a wise choice to bring in a punter on the cheap and drafting or signing an undrafted free agent for competition might be the best course of action. People will shiver at the idea of taking another punter in the draft, especially after Harvin was a failed pick. There are some quality players available at the position and the black and gold have shown interest.
They met with Ryan Rehkow at the East-West Shrine game. He kicked the ball well during the entire week. He comes from a smaller school, but that doesn't matter too much with this position. He kicked outside for the most part and in some harsh weather conditions in Utah. Pittsburgh has failed to find a consistent punter over the past decade or so.
It is beyond time to find their answer and drafting Rehkow here shouldn't be out of the conversation. He has averaged better than Harvin by a couple of yards on his punts and finds ways of changing field position in games. Trying to gel with the current specialists on the team will be its own learning process, but Rehkow should be able to battle for the job.