TEN days away. My penultimate mock draft is ready to go. Things are starting to get very serious. Let’s do this.
It’s Monday – you know what that means.
Now we go back to the Pro Football Focus mock draft simulator.
Alright, here we go…Donny Football’s Steelers Mock Draft 10.0
ROUND 1 – PICK 17: DARNELL WRIGHT (OT, TENNESSEE)
Last Week: Calijah Kancey (DT, Pittsburgh)
I think this possibility is growing as we get closer to the draft because Wright has been one of the many late risers as we reach late April. He doesn’t have the grades of Paris Johnson Jr., Peter Skoronski or Broderick Jones, but he has some damn good tape against big-time opponents. He shut down Travon Walker, the 1st overall pick in 2022 and did the same to Will Anderson Jr., who will likely be a top five pick in this year’s draft. He spent last season solely at right tackle and the year before on the other side, so he should have no problem playing either left or right. Some mocks have Wright going even higher than 17th as one of the first tackles off the board. He’s definitely a name to look out for on night one.
ROUND 2 – PICK 32: CAM SMITH (CB, SOUTH CAROLINA)
Last Week: Anton Harrison (OT, Oklahoma)
The way things sit right now, I believe a combination of offensive tackle and cornerback have to be addressed with the first two selections unless a remarkable talent slips to either pick 17 or 32. The Steelers get a ballhawk corner with Smith to start round two. He had six interceptions returned for touchdowns in his college career with 22 of 94 targets being either picked off or broken up at South Carolina. A little bit of a down year in 2022, but an excellent 2021, boasting a PFF grade over 88. Smith also brings solid size to the position at 6’1, 180 pounds that can be used inside or out as a corner.
ROUND 2 – PICK 49: TULI TUIPULOTU (EDGE, USC)
Last Week: Tuli Tuipulotu (Edge, USC)
That’s right – I am sticking with the same pick here as last week. The Steelers always have their eyes on an edge rusher and Tuipulotu is one that can serve multiple needs with his mix of size, strength and speed on the defensive front. He’s a player that has flown a little bit under the radar despite a great final season at USC, collecting 13 sacks and 37 quarterback hurries with an 82.1 overall grade from Pro Football Focus. Another thing worth nothing is Tuipulotu taking an official visit to the Steelers so they will obviously have him in consideration if he makes it to the middle of the 2nd round.
ROUND 3 – PICK 80: TRADE
Last Week: Garrett Williams (CB, Syracuse)
PIT RECEIVES: PICK 104, PICK 188, R4 (2024), R5 (2024)
HOU RECEIVES: PICK 80
ROUND 4 – PICK 104: DORIAN WILLIAMS (LB, TULANE)
Williams is a name I’ve mocked to the Steelers already because it’s one that would make sense in this spot. He’s an off-ball linebacker with a wingspan of 6’8, despite only being 6’1, and he’s great in coverage – something the Steelers have not had from an inside linebacker since the end of Ryan Shazier’s career. Williams was not good in 2021, but he bounced back with a fantastic campaign in 2022 that has him primed to be a selection in the middle rounds.
ROUND 4 – PICK 120: ANTHONY JOHNSON JR. (S, IOWA STATE)
Last Week: Ivan Pace Jr. (LB, Cincinnati)
I passed on Johnson at pick 80, due to the trade, and at pick 104, but with the 69th ranked player on PFF’s big board still available at 120 in a position of need, I think it’s a no-brainer. Consistent grades across the board for PFF throughout his college career and underwent a change from corner to safety, which has paid dividends. 6’0, 205 pounds and not the fastest guy, but can play the role of a box safety and share the load with the likes of Keanu Neal or Damontae Kazee.
ROUND 6 – PICK 188: BRYCE FORD-WHEATON (WR, WEST VIRGINIA)
The Steelers have selected a receiver in 19 of the last 21 drafts, so you can expect them to draft one at some point. And if you’re a Pitt or WVU fan, you remember this guy? Had a monstrous performance in the Backyard Brawl, until an unfortunate bounce off his hands led to the game-winning pick six for the Panthers.
He finished his best collegiate season with 62 receptions for 675 yards and seven touchdowns in 12 games for the Mountaineers. He possesses very good size at 6’4, 221 pounds and has the length and speed to be effective at the NFL level. He’s another red zone target for a young QB and he recently completed a visit to the Steelers, something always relevant to note.
ROUND 7 – PICK 234: CLAYTON TUNE (QB, HOUSTON)
Last Week: Quindell Johnson (S, Memphis)
The Steelers current QB depth chart is just Kenny Pickett and Mitch Trubisky, so I am expecting another body to be added to that room. Tune put up some video game numbers at Houston and if he actually fell all the way to the 7th round, I’d be a fan of the Steelers taking a chance on him. Trubisky is likely only in Pittsburgh this upcoming season and Pickett suffered two concussions in his rookie season which leaves the need for a guy waiting in the wings. Coming off consistently great grades from PFF and a 4,000+ yard season, Tune getting his name called by the Steelers provides potential for a long-term payoff in case of emergency.
ROUND 7 – PICK 241: JACOB SLADE (DL, MICHIGAN STATE)
Last Week: Keytaon Thompson (WR, Virginia)
Avoiding interior defensive line might be a little long for most people’s liking, but Slade would definitely just be a depth player. He’s 6’4, 315 pounds and just over 23 years old. He won’t be a player you expect to come in and get significant time right away, but one of the bodies worth having on the roster at a position that experiences a lot of turnover. Two of Slade’s best games last year came in big games, grading out to a 76.1 score against Michigan and 79.1 against Penn State, with his overall best performance coming against Indiana.