The NFL is inching closer to the draft, and the Pittsburgh Steelers have a slew of needs that need to be filled. It won’t be easy, as the team is currently without their second-round pick. The lack of resources makes having a complete draft much harder.
This team is still without a quarterback, and unfortunately for the Steelers, this class is shallow at the position. Defensive line also looms large, although this draft class has plenty of talent there. If this team remains at pick 21 and doesn’t trade down, they could have a hard time filling all of these needs.
This mock draft sees the team go in a vastly different direction despite these issues.
While quarterback and defensive line are the biggest needs, this team could look at a different position. They have shown a lot of interest in this positional group, and if Pittsburgh switches things up, it could yield a draft similar to this.
Pittsburgh Steelers' updated seven-round mock draft has them going in a new direction
Steelers Mock Draft Round 1: Malaki Starks, DB, Georgia
On the surface, the Steelers have little reason to target a safety early. However, this team has sent their defensive and defensive back coaches to notable safety Pro Days. This includes Georgia, which had the usual conglomerate of top-level Steelers brass.
Given the long-term uncertainty at the position, getting ahead of the need could make sense. Malaki Starks is one of the safest prospects in the draft. He should be a quality free safety no matter what, but can also contribute as a box safety and even in the slot.
As a rookie, he can compete for slot snaps right away. Next year, he can take over either safety spot, depending on what the team wants to do with their current starters. It seems unnecessary, but you can’t deny the fact that the Steelers are showing a lot of interest in safeties right now.
Starks has a high floor and a relatively high ceiling at the next level. While the need isn’t apparent right now, he can still have a role early on and play for a starting role as soon as next season.
Steelers Mock Draft Round 3: DJ Giddens, RB, Kansas State
A bigger back with deceptive speed, DJ Giddens would give the Steelers a capable third body to use in the backfield. He was productive in school as both a runner and a receiver, and plays with a style unique to this offense.
He does his best work between the tackles and runs with good power despite not being huge. He has great vision as well, finding the small holes his line opens up and exploding through them. He can provide some physicality for the run game.
Unfortunately, his athleticism was sometimes lacking on tape. While he tested well there, he was never known for breaking off long runs. That said, in a backfield that lacks a great power option, Giddens can provide that in a rotation.
Steelers Mock Draft Round 4: Will Howard, QB, Ohio State
It seems like a foregone conclusion that the Steelers will draft a quarterback this year. The question is who and where they select him. The speculation is that the team could even use their top pick on a passer, although that seems like a disaster considering how weak this quarterback class is.
We settle for Will Howard in this mock. The Ohio State quarterback displayed a lot of positive traits during his championship season with the Buckeyes. He can progress through reads, has good accuracy and placement, and can escape pressure with his athleticism.
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His ceiling is capped by his age and lack of arm strength. That said, he screams high-floor backup with the potential to be a low-end starter. Getting someone like that in the fourth round would be worth the risk.
Steelers Mock Draft Round 5: Tim Smith, DL, Alabama
Unfortunately, the board never broke that well to land a defensive lineman earlier than this. That is the cost of doing business when you make a luxury pick in the first round. Tim Smith isn’t a bad consolation prize.
Smith is a stout run defender who can shed blocks and take up space. He has the size to play end but the style to play nose tackle, giving him some positional flexibility. Ultimately, I think you have a higher-end backup as opposed to a pure starter, but he provides you with some more run-stopping power.
Steelers Mock Draft Round 6: Zeek Biggers, DL, Georgia Tech
We go back-to-back and try to take advantage of the depth in this draft class along the defensive line. Zeek Biggers is the polar opposite of what Smith is. He has rare size for the position, but he is extremely unproven and wasn’t productive in school.
Despite his size, he may be a better fit inside at nose tackle. He needs a lot of refinement, no matter where he plays, though. He is a gamble as a prospect, but one I’m comfortable taking in the sixth round.
Steelers Mock Draft Round 7: Jimmy Horn Jr., WR, Colorado
While receiver will be more of a luxury unless George Pickens is traded, the team could still look to add someone to fill out the depth chart. Jimmy Horn Jr. can wear a lot of hats for an offense and play multiple different spots.
His frame is concerning, but we have seen smaller receivers do well in the NFL. Add in his ability as a gadget player on runs and even returns, and you have a valuable addition to the receiver room.