We inch closer to the meat of the NFL off-season and the NFL Combine is just a day away.
It’s Monday – you know what that means.
We go back to the Pro Football Focus mock draft simulator.
Alright, here we go…Donny Football’s Steelers Mock Draft 3.0
ROUND 1 – PICK 17: PETER SKORONSKI (OL, NORTHWESTERN)
Last Week: Paris Johnson Jr. (OT, Ohio State)
I’ll never make an easier choice in my life and if Skoronski is there at 17, neither will the Steelers. The 2022 Consensus All-American registered an 89.5 PFF grade last season as one of the best left tackles in the college game and will translate to day one starter in the NFL. Whether the Steelers want to play the big man at left tackle and move Dan Moore Jr. inside to left guard or simply plug Skoronski in at left guard for Kevin Dotson, he will be a main contributor up front. His downfall is short arms, just like Joe Thomas had – that seemed to work out OK for him. He could be the next coming of David DeCastro if he plays inside, but if he’s just as good on the outside, you have your blindside for the next decade plus.
ROUND 2 – PICK 32: ANTONIO JOHNSON (S, TEXAS A&M)
Last Week: Kelee Ringo (CB, Georgia)
We still don’t know if Terrell Edmunds and/or Demontae Kazee will be back and if one or both of them aren’t, Johnson would be a great find at the top of the 2nd round. Johnson is big for a defensive back, checking in at 6’3, 215 pounds and he provides versatility the Steelers would love after playing box safety and slot corner for the Aggies in the highly-touted SEC. He isn’t a ballhawk type safety, only collecting one interception in his college career, but Johnson tallied 14 tackles for loss in his three collegiate seasons, displaying his talent against the run.
ROUND 2 – PICK 49: JACK CAMPBELL (LB, IOWA)
Last Week: John Michael Schmitz (C, Minnesota)
1st round bust Devin Bush is on his way out of town and the Steelers are still chasing down a homegrown talent to be the next great inside linebacker in the franchise’s history. Unlike Bush, Campbell has great size for the position, standing 6’5 and weighing in at 246 pounds. His speed at the NFL level may be of some concern, but he can be a true MIKE linebacker in a defense that is looking for one. Campbell scored over a 90 on the PFF scale in last season’s matchup with Ohio State and garnered a 91.7 grade for the season. In two seasons as a starter at Iowa, he tallied 265 total tackles, nine tackles for loss, four interceptions, three fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles and one touchdown – that sounds like a Christmas song.
ROUND 3 – PICK 80: PARKER WASHINGTON (WR, PENN STATE)
Last Week: Rashee Rice (WR, SMU)
Another 3rd round receiver and this one from nearby Penn State. Washington would likely find a role in the slot and has the potential to replicate what JuJu Smith-Schuster provided for the Steelers late in the Ben Roethlisberger era. The Penn Stater will only be 21-years-old when next season begins and at 5’10, 215 pounds he has the build to fight for the tough yards on 3rd and medium situations. Washington saw his touchdown numbers decrease each season in Happy Valley, but kept a consistent yards per catch number right around 13 over the course of his college career.
ROUND 4 – PICK 120: KYU BLU KELLY (CB, STANFORD)
Last Week: Cade Stover (TE, Ohio State)
Waiting until the 4th round to take a corner may be too long, but depending on what happens in free agency, it may not be as vital of a need as it is right now. Blu Kelly provides a lot of experience at the college level, playing over 1,250 snaps in his career at Stanford. The 6’1, 190-pound corner provides decent size at the position and while he certainly wasn’t a lockdown player in the PAC-12, he showed improvement every season. Most mocks expect the Steelers to take Joey Porter Jr. in the opening round because of his dad’s connection to the organization, however, Blu Kelly has his own connection to Mike Tomlin as his dad Brian played for Tomlin in Tampa Bay, winning Super Bowl 37 together.
ROUND 7 – PICK 236: WANYA MORRIS (OT, OKLAHOMA)
Last Week: Tavion Thomas (RB, Utah)
Not holding a pick in rounds five or six is something the Steelers may look to change while holding a pair of picks in the 7th round, but in this case, waiting around over 100 picks since your last, the team should try to find a player that can contribute in any way possible. The health of the offensive line as a whole last season blinded some people on what they really have with that group. Zero starters missed games last year, but what is behind that starting five? It’s a scary sight. Morris would be a depth addition and at pick 236, if he becomes a contributor in any way, you can chalk this selection up as a good one.
ROUND 7 – PICK 243: HUNTER LUEPKE (FB, NORTH DAKOTA STATE)
Last Week: Traded Pick
This is likely me hoping the Steelers are finally moving on from pending free agent Derek Watt, but with TJ having a lot of power in the room, I have my doubts on that happening and the team will continue to overpay for a couple dozen special teams tackles and a few fullback trap plays. Luepke can basically supply the same use at much more value. And we all love a good bang for our buck deal.