The Steelers shock the NFL with their first pick in this seven-round mock draft

Auburn v Georgia
Auburn v Georgia / Todd Kirkland/GettyImages
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 8
Next

Round 4 - Pick 120 - Olesegun Oluwatimi, C, Michigan

I'm convinced the Steelers will take a center in the draft, and with the top three off the board, they go with the next best thing in Olusegun Oluwatimi. The 6-3, 309-pound pivot has a wide base and played well at the Senior Bowl, increasing his draft stock.

Oluwatimi is strong, throwing up 29 reps on the bench at the combine. He also recorded the second-longest broad jump (9'2") of the center group. He was named the winner of both the Outland Trophy (nation's best interior lineman on offense or defense) and the Rimington Trophy (the most outstanding center in NCAA Division I football) in 2022.

While he wouldn't have to start right away with fellow Michigan alum Mason Cole manning the pivot in all 17 games for the Steelers last season, Oluwatimi certainly could wrestle the starting job away due to his strength and ability. He made 46 career starts at center in college, playing his first three seasons at Virginia.

Other Possibilities: Luke Wypler, C, Ohio State; Juice Scruggs, C, Penn State; D.J. Johnson, Edge, Oregon; K.J. Henry, Edge, Clemson; Cory Trice, Jr., CB, Purdue

Surprise Pick: Andrew Vorhees, OL, USC

Vorhees would have been a higher pick had he not torn his ACL at the combine. With his availability for the 2023 season in doubt, he slips to the Steelers at pick 120. While he didn't get to perform all of the drills at the combine due to injury, he still measured in at 6-6, 310 pounds. Despite the torn ACL, he heroically returned the next day to compete in the bench press, where he threw up an incredible 38 reps, basically using one leg! This kind of competitor is one you take a chance on for the future.