We have officially reached the draft month of April, but the event is still weeks away. The Pittsburgh Steelers are trying to solve their current roster questions. Most of their focus seems to be on Aaron Rodgers and trying to secure a formal commitment from the star quarterback before the draft hits. They could alter their plans if Rodgers declines to join.
There are still other holes to fill outside of the quarterback position. They must locate upgrades in the trenches and find a running back to complement Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell. They don't have a second-round pick after the D.K. Metcalf trade, but they should consider moving back in the first round if the situation presents itself.
This mock draft uses a possible trade-back scenario to their advantage.
Pittsburgh Steelers mock draft secures riches from trade in Round 1
Night one of this simulation rolls around, and Pittsburgh waits patiently for its pick in the first round. Steelers general manager Omar Khan knows he needs more picks in the draft to address the needs on the depth chart. The Jacksonville Jaguars come calling and are willing to strike a trade. Khan moves back 15 slots to secure extra picks on days two and three of the event.
It's a good trade that infuses extra draft capital into the Steeler's arsenal.
Steelers Mock Draft Round 2 (Via Jaguars): Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
Miraculously, the Steelers have Emeka Egbuka sitting there with their selection in the second round of this mock draft. It's unlikely that Egbuka will last this long when the draft happens, but he was available in this situation. Pittsburgh would be thrilled with this selection, even after they traded back. The Steelers have George Pickens and Metcalf, but they need future options.
Egbuka can play inside and outside as a receiver, but he will be best in the slot. He can play significant snaps for them this season or carve out a lesser role. With Pickens and Calvin Austin III scheduled to hit free agency next year, the Steelers need some plans at the receiver position. Egbuka is a crafty player who would help their offense now and into the future.
READ MORE: Steelers 3-round mock draft has GM Omar Khan throwing caution to the wind
Steelers Mock Draft Round 3: Wyatt Milum, OT, West Virginia
Since the Steelers got extra draft picks, they can get creative with their deployment. Khan should be concerned about going into training camp with Broderick Jones and Troy Fautanu as his only starting options at offensive tackle. He decides to invest in the trenches again by taking Wyatt Milum. The West Virginia product should compete for a starting job this preseason.
Pittsburgh hosted Milum for a top-30 pre-draft visit as a local product. They are interested in him, and it makes sense. He has started games at both tackle spots and could slide into a pivotal swing tackle role as a rookie. It's a monumental season for Jones at left tackle, and taking Milum provides insurance. If Fautanu or Jones prove to be duds, Milum can slide into the starting spot.
Steelers Mock Draft Round 3 (Via Jaguars): Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin beats down the door to take Jalen Milroe here.
Many draft evaluators believe this is a weak draft class regarding the quarterback position. If that's true, don't be shocked if many of the top players at the position have a similar situation as the 2022 quarterback crop. With an extra third-round pick in this mock draft, Pittsburgh decides it is appropriate to take Milroe as a project player to develop behind Mason Rudolph or Rodgers.
Taking Milroe in this situation would make perfect sense for the Steelers. Milroe won't have to start, barring injury, and he could be in a comfortable environment to succeed. Adding this quarterback would give the coaching staff hope that they could replace Justin Fields. While Milroe is raw, he has a high ceiling if they can help develop him at the NFL level.
Steelers Mock Draft Round 4: Jordan Phillips, DT, Maryland
Most fans would hate waiting until this point to address the needs along the defensive line. It would be concerning for the Steelers, but this is a strong group of prospects in the trenches. Pittsburgh added some veteran players up front who can start for the team if needed, but they could use some reinforcements. They take Jordan Phillips to keep Tomlin's love for Maryland products going.
Phillips is a massive human who has proven to be a quality run stuffer. He could start at the nose tackle position on day one and allow Keeanu Benton to play next to Cam Heyward as a defensive end. Phillips is a former wrestler and weightlifter who should transition well to the professional ranks. He will only be 21 as a rookie and could develop into something special for the Steelers.
READ MORE: Steelers' QB draft targets if Aaron Rodgers refuses to join the team
Steelers Mock Draft Round 5 (Via Jaguars): Jaydon Blue, RB, Texas
It's not ideal to wait until this point in the mock draft to add a running back, but that's how the cookie crumbled. Tomlin and Khan spoke glowingly about Warren as their top running back, so they might be comfortable waiting. They will take a player at the position, but in this case, it didn't happen until the fifth round. Jaydon Blue will round out a stable of backs for the Steelers.
Blue would bring his dynamic style to their offense. He's a small back, but he has killer speed. Blue could provide the explosive plays Tomlin referred to regarding the need at the position. This prospect is also deadly as a receiver, which could help him form an early role as the third-down running back. Warren and Gainwell could carry the load, allowing Blue to be a complementary piece.
Steelers Mock Draft Round 5: Zy Alexander, CB, LSU
There must be a way for the Steelers to address a couple of needs in the secondary.
Darius Slay and Juan Thornhill will play vital roles for Pittsburgh's secondary, but they can't be their only additions. They must keep adding some youth to that part of their roster. If Slay and Cory Trice Jr. get injured at any point this season, James Pierre will have to start. No one wants Pierre playing significant snaps on defense, so the Steelers take Zy Alexander.
He ran slower than you'd like a cornerback to test in a 40-yard dash, but he might have had an off day. Alexander has the perfect frame to work with. He wouldn't need to be a starter this year, but he could develop into a player who could challenge for a starting job next season. If Pittsburgh can harness his potential, they could land a top cornerback on their defense to help Joey Porter Jr.
Steelers Mock Draft Round 6: J.J. Pegues, DT, Ole Miss
The Steelers hosted J.J. Pegues on a pre-draft visit, which has exposed their interest in the Ole Miss product. He has flown under the radar in this process because his teammate Walter Nolen is gaining first-round buzz. Pittsburgh will be interested in both players. Since they have some extra draft picks from the earlier trade, they march their investment into the trenches forward.
Pegues started his college career as a tight end before transitioning to defensive tackle. He remained active on Ole Miss's offense as he provided a role in short-yardage situations. This defensive lineman could give the Steelers a new wrinkle to their offense while giving the team a player who can be a quality depth option. His best days at the position should be in front of him.
Steelers Mock Draft Round 7: Caleb Ransaw, S, Tulane
With how much Pittsburgh has shown interest in safeties this draft cycle, it's hard to imagine them not taking one. In this mock draft, they waited until their last pick to address this need, but don't be shocked if they attack the position sooner. The Steelers were present at Tulane's pro day but didn't send high-end individuals. That will be the case for most prospects at this juncture.
Caleb Ransaw is the final selection for the Steelers in this mock draft. His availability at this point in the seventh round was shocking. Pittsburgh could use some depth at the safety position, and Ransaw is a versatile player who could help on special teams. He has been deployed at different spots across the secondary and could become a chess piece on defense if they use him properly.