Since I know a few of you are going to say “BUT TOMLIN AND COLBERT WEREN’T AT THEIR PRO DAY” I wanted to let you know I am using http://www.thedraftnetwork.com and their mock draft machine. I am also running this Mock with what I would like the Steelers to do, NOT what I believe they will do. Waah Laah.
First Round – Pick 20 – Devonte Wyatt – DT – Georgia
If we are going to maximize on the fact that we have the best edge rusher in the league in T.J. Watt, we need to get pressure up the middle. There are a lot of unknowns heading into this season around star end Stephon Tuitt and the return of Tyson Alualu, so snagging an interior defender feels like the best option. Pair that with the fact that he’s an anchoring senior on one of the best defenses we’ve seen AND that Tomlin & Colbert went to Georgia’s Pro Day. The big question mark here will be if the Steelers even have Wyatt on their board come draft day. A number of “anonymous” sources have come out recently declaring teams have removed Wyatt from their draft boards due to his past domestic violence incidents. The Steelers are a solid franchise who have proven able to handle situations like this with ease, but we don’t know how they feel internally right now.
Other Names Considered – Desmond Ridder – QB, Tyler Linderbaum – C, Nakobe Dean – LB.
Second Round – Pick 52 – Daniel Faalele – OT – Minnesota
With George Pickens being snagged from right out under me, there isn’t a strong receiver left I would be comfortable within the second round other than Calvin Austin III who just doesn’t feel like a fit at this point. The Steelers addressed parts of their line this offseason but still plan on leaving Dan Moore Jr. ( 2021 4th Round Pick) and Chukwuma Okorafor as their starting tackles. Moore has been more than serviceable at LT but Chucks, despite his recent contract and potential, just hasn’t made me feel comfortable. Faalele is a mountain of a man standing at 6’8″ and weighing 383. He needs some work but if we want to eventually draft the next great Steelers’ QB, we need to make sure our line is set.
Other Names Considered – Matt Corral – QB, Christian Harris – LB, Roger McCreary – CB
Third Round – Pick 84 – Sam Howell – QB – UNC
If you know anything about myself or my time on Two Beers Deep, you’d know I hate having to make this selection. I hated Mitch Trubisky going above Mahomes and Watson and I just have the worst taste in my mouth around UNC Football for no reason at all despite a love for Caleb Pressley. But, in the third round my beer goggles have made Sam Howell look like a somewhat decent selection. Howell was terrific throughout his entire career at UNC except for this past season, something that experts credit to a lost of his teammates due to the draft. As it stands right now, I’d rather try Howell than trot Mason out there behind starter Mitch Trubisky (did I mention I also hated Mitch? I love him now, but yeah…)
Other Names Considered – Darian Kinnard – IOL, Mario Goodrich – CB, Ed Ingram – IOL
Fourth Round – Pick 138 – Coby Bryant – CB – Cincinnati
My main reason for not taking one of my favorite late-round prospects in Mario Goodrich was the hopes that I could snag a corner in the fourth round and I wasn’t disappointed. Bryant played opposite Sauce Gardner, meaning that he earned hes stripes as a solidified #2 corner. He doesn’t need to be our starting corner with Justin Layne looking more than serviceable, Ahkello Witherspoon performing well and new addition Levi Wallace. Love adding depth to a position of concern over the past couple of seasons. Plus, that’s a hell of a name.
Other Names Considered – Zamir White – RB, Josh Jobe – CB, Hassan Haskins – RB
Sixth Round – Pick 208 – Isaiah Pola-Mao – S – USC
There’s a decent chance that Pola-Mao would have dropped to our next selection but the Steelers Fanbase would have my head (all 30 of Yinz reading this) if I let a family member of Steelers Legend Troy Polamalu slide any farther. All Yinzer jokes aside, Edmunds fifth year was not picked up and we need to address the position despite Tre Norwood moving to Safety full time as it would appear. The USC prospect is a tremendous athlete who clocked around a 4.3 40 at USC’s Pro Day. There are some injury concerns but the name value alone warrants a 6th round selection.
Other Names Considered – Ty Chandler – RB, Cade Hall – Edge, Tre Turner – WR
Seventh Round – Pick 225 – Jashaun Corbin – RB – Florida State
The Steelers need some additional help in the running back room despite having one of what I would consider the league’s most promising running backs in a long time in Najee Harris. Corbin isn’t a starter by any means but provides decent upside in 3rd down short yardage situations and pas protection, two areas that can save Najee late in the season. There’s potential to us Corbin the same way we previously used Roosevelt Nix when we had a premiere rushing attack although “potential” is a loose term with Corbin’s upside.
Other Names Considered – Cade Hall – Edge, Tre Turner – WR, Erik Ezukanma – WR,
Seventh Round – Pick 241 – Tre Turner – WR – Virginia Tech
HE FELL! Turner is a name I’ll most likely fall in love with just to be hurt (always the hopeless romantic in later rounds) but he does end his career at Virginia Tech top five all-time among Hokie receivers in receiving yards and receptions despite some terrible quarterback play. Turner has all the tools to be a tremendous WR3 providing the Steelers with more stability at the WR position after loosing JuJu. I’m also an absolute SUCKER for this kids story. Liberty QB and projected top prospect Malik Willis was so fond of Turner he invited him to Liberty’s Pro Day which happened the same morning as Virginia Tech’s Pro Day. After his last route with Willis, Turner jumped in his car and went to his own Pro Day. There’s something poetic not only about Turner performing in two Pro Day’s, but having the potential top QB in the class ask you specifically to come to HIS Pro Day. I love Turner, and I’m ready to be hurt again.
Other Names Considered – Erik Ezukanma – WR, Esezi Otomewo – EDGE, Zakoby McClain – LB
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