The NFL offseason is fully underway following the Philadelphia Eagles' dismantling of the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl. Teams across the league will look for ways to end up where those teams did this year, and the Steelers are no different. Armed with plenty of cap flexibility and all of their top draft picks, they will have plenty of potential paths to improving a team that failed yet again to win a playoff game.
The NFL Draft is and likely always will be where teams can make the biggest improvements to their roster, but bad drafts have the potential to set teams back years as well. A recent 3-round mock draft by NFL.com's Chad Reuter aimed to add players at key positions of need for the Steelers, but the selections have huge disaster potential.
Chad Reuter's mock draft prioritized need over talent for the Steelers
With the Steelers first-round pick, Reuter selected Ohio State running back Quinshon Judkins. Judkins is a talented back who would be a potential upgrade over Najee Harris, but he isn't worthy of a first-round selection. Outside of Boise State's Ashton Jeanty, none of the backs in this class are consensus first-round talents.
Even if he was a projected first-rounder, the Steelers are not in a position to take a running back in the first round. They made the same mistake in 2021 when they selected Harris, and now they are likely moving on due to his lack of impact. If this was who they selected in round two, then I would be intrigued, but not at pick 21.
In the second round, Reuter took a swing on Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe. Milroe is one of the most polarizing players in this year's draft, especially with the lack of quality QB options in the class. While I don't hate the idea of taking a swing at QB given the Steelers need at the position, Milroe has too many flaws at this point in his career to be taken this early.
He has tremendous physical gifts and had plenty of flashes while at Alabama, but the inconsistent decision-making and accuracy make him a true project at the position. There are too many potential impact players that could be available at pick 52 for me to feel comfortable taking him there. I understand the thought process, but the potential for a wasted pick is too high.
Lastly, Reuter went defense with the Steelers third-round selection, going back to the Ohio State well with corner Denzel Burke. Burke is a lengthy and athletic corner prospect who fits the mold of what the Steelers have looked for at the position in recent years, and his performance during the College Football Playoff was outstanding.
His overall 2024 season though was not quite as good as his 2023, however, and he was often a liability in man coverage. He did improve as a run defender and in zone coverage, so taking him at 84 is the best value pick of the three from this mock. Overall, this pick would be a fine one even if there may be better players on the board at the time.
Overall, this mock has too much bust potential for the Steelers. Taking a good but not elite runner in the first and a project QB in the second is something a stacked team could maybe afford to do, but the Steelers are far from that.