The Steelers head into the bye week with a strong record and a roster that appears set to at least make the playoffs. While the draft is still a long way away, this roster has shifted in terms of where I see the needs at right now. While not drastic, the roster looks far different now than when it did from my last mock draft.
In particular, the quarterback room has shifted from then. No longer is Justin Fields the starter, as the team has turned to Russell Wilson despite good play from the former first-round pick. At this point, I can’t see Fields getting a new deal, and even if Wilson does get an extension, it will be for the short term.
Because of this, quarterback is back on the menu. If Wilson is brought back the need isn’t huge, but we have seen the Packers succeed with this strategy. There are also a few notable quarterbacks in this class that need some development. If Wilson isn’t retained, then the need is that much bigger.
For this mock draft, I’ll assume the Steelers are picking somewhere in the mid-20s. They will have retained Wilson while letting Fields walk. For this October mock draft, the Steelers are once again hoping for a quarterback in their candy basket and a better option than what their last first-round quarterback turned into. They have other needs as well that they also aim to fill in this October Mock Draft.
Steelers Mock Draft Round 1: Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas
As was hinted, the Steelers dip their toes back into the quarterback well this year to find their eventual successor. With Pickett, they took the safer bet with limited traits but had a better chance of playing right away. We all know how that turned out. Quinn Ewers is the opposite, as he has all of the traits you want in a franchise player.
Ewers has been electric this season for Texas, and he is a huge reason for their success. He has a cannon for an arm and can seemingly make any pass look easy. He commands the pocket, reacting well to pressure and always keeping his eyes down the field. His arm is so natural he already looks like a top quarterback with his play.
Unfortunately, his mechanics are a complete mess. His footwork is so inconsistent it can lead to a lot of errant passes. He is also a big risk taker, and as a pro player, it will cost him. He can be an elite player in this league, but he needs to refine himself as a player.
Assuming Wilson is brought back (or some sort of capable veteran), that gives Ewers some time to work on these mechanics. He won’t be needed right away to start and can instead work his way into a starting role when he is ready. He is young enough to make that work, and waiting could pay dividends.
Carson Beck is the most pro-ready quarterback in this class while Shedur Sanders has a higher ceiling but also needs some refinement. No one has a higher ceiling than Ewers though. The Steelers bet on traits and also give him time to develop before needing him as the starter.
Steelers Mock Draft Round 2: Ollie Gordon, RB, Oklahoma
It’s hard to predict who will stay and who will go next year, but despite his resurgence this year, I don’t think Najee Harris will come back next year. If the Steelers wanted him, they would have picked up his option or extended him in the offseason. Considering this offense is built on the run though, they will need to address the position at some point early in the draft.
Ollie Gordon is one of the best college rushers in the league and has the usual size and speed that you want in a starter. Pittsburgh likes their backs bigger, and Gordon fits that bill at 225 pounds. Despite that size, he is a good athlete and is hard to tackle in space. He can turn any run into a huge gain but also can churn out consistent carries to keep a run game churning.
He isn’t an elite athlete, and he also plays in a very player-friendly offense at Oklahoma. He will need to adjust to a pro offense at the next level. He also struggles against stacked boxes and can’t always power his way through runs. That said, he should develop into a capable back sooner rather than later and keep this run game going.
Steelers Mock Draft Round 3: Derrick Harmon, DE, Oregon
A mock draft wouldn’t be complete without a typical tall and powerful defensive lineman for the Steelers. They haven’t had that perfect body type to replace Stephon Tuitt since he retired, and despite a handful of intriguing names every draft cycle, they haven’t pulled the trigger on anyone. I love Deone Walker in the first round, but Derrick Harmon could be a nice consolation prize.
Harmon hasn’t developed into an elite player yet, but he is off to his best season in college so far and is showing some spark as a pass rusher. His run defense has always been stout. He needs to use his size better, but he has the traits you want in a starter long-term. He can serve as depth initially and learn behind some talented starters ahead of him.
Steelers Mock Draft Round 4: Dylan Fairchild, IOL, Georgia
The Steelers have made some significant investments along the offensive line in recent years, and while the premium capital may go elsewhere next year, they need to keep reinforcing the trenches. In particular, guard has some long-term concerns with James Daniels likely playing elsewhere next year and Isaac Seumalo entering the final year of his deal.
Mason McCormick has looked like a potential starter, although his overall play needs to improve still. Dylan Fairchild has a lot of traits that make you think he can be a starter, but a year to refine his skills and bulk up would do him good. He can compete next year and, ideally, replace Seumalo in 2026.
Note: This pick will be sent to the Bears if Fields plays 51% of the offensive snaps. With him now benched though, I will assume the Steelers only send the sixth round pick instead.
Steelers Mock Draft Round 5: Thor Griffith, DL, Louisville
One of my goals along the defensive line is to find a player to take some nose tackle reps off the plate of Keeanu Benton. This isn’t to reduce his snap count, but to instead allow him the flexibility to play more as an end and capitalize on his talent. Thor Griffith won’t be that year one, but he could eventually develop into a capable player.
Right now, he is a big piece of athletic clay. He shined at Harvard before transferring to Louisville, and while he can disappear at times when he is on, he is dynamic. His size and strength make him a natural nose tackle who will need to learn the role but has all the traits to be successful there.
Steelers Mock Draft Round 7: Don’t’e Thorton, WR, Tennessee
Yes, receiver is a bigger need than just a seventh-round pick, but I had a hard time finding a good place to mock one here. Considering the youth in the room, a veteran may make more sense anyway to compliment George Pickens. Depth is still needed though, and you have to take a gamble on Don’t’e Thorton this late.
Thorton looks like he is built in a lab. He’s 6’5 but has elite speed, making him a unique vertical weapon for the Tennessee offense. He has been horribly inconsistent though, and besides vertical routes, Thorton offers little to an offense. You bet on traits here though and see if you can unlock a better level of play. At worst, his size and speed should make him a viable gunner on special teams.
Steelers Mock Draft Round 7: Seth McLaughlin, IOL
The Steelers target a potential starting guard earlier on day three, and they wrap up this mock draft by grabbing a quality backup center. Seth McLaughlin is a really smart player with a lot of experience, but he lacks the physical traits to be an elite starting center at the next level.
Zach Frazier should be the starting center for the foreseeable future, but getting a better backup on the cheap makes sense. McLaughlin would thrive in that role. His upside is limited, but landing a long-term backup in the seventh round is still good value.