Buckle up because the NFL off-season is about to go nuts. The free agent frenzy is about to get underway.
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 5.0
ROUND 1 – PICK 17: BRYAN BRESEE (DL, CLEMSON)
Last Week: Joey Porter Jr. (CB, Penn State)
The Clemson defensive lineman has seen a little bit of a slide in his draft projection over the last few weeks, but Bresee turned in a very good combine for a big man with a 4.86 40-yard dash (1.71 10-yard split). What I love about Bresee are his size, his age and his versatility. The Clemson DL checks in at 6’5 and a tick under 300 pounds. He’s also only 21-years-old so he would only be in his mid-20’s by the time that fifth year option comes around and a potential second deal. The most attractive factor to his game is his ability to be anywhere from a five-technique and able to move inside to a one or zero at times, depending on the formation. There is concern with health since he experienced an ACL tear in 2021 and shoulder surgery early in 2022. The Steelers could benefit from Bresee’s slide, but we’ll see if they would keep it going.
ROUND 2 – PICK 32: ZAY FLOWERS (WR, BOSTON COLLEGE)
Last Week: Mazi Smith (DL, Michigan)
Every draft has included a receiver because you can bet on the Steelers taking one.
This time they go with the speedy slot receiver from BC. Flowers had great production in his four collegiate seasons – collecting more than 3,000 receiving yards and 31 total touchdowns. The 5’9, 182-pounder showed up at the NFL Scouting Combine and ran a 4.42 followed by a 10-foot-7 broad jump. He’s fast and has the production to back it up – and many seem to think once he finely tunes his route running he’ll be even better. If the Steelers are hoping for Jordan Addison in this spot, Zay Flowers is a nice consolation. By the way, Dino Tomlin played with him at Boston College…
ROUND 2 – PICK 49: STEVE AVILA (OL, TCU)
Last Week: Dawand Jones (OT, Ohio State)
This pick would thrill me at 49. Avila is a road grader that could plug and play at left guard on opening weekend. Avila was a key cog in the trenches for the TCU squad that was bound for the College Football Playoff this past season and did not allow a sack in 515 pass-blocking snaps in the campaign. He checked in at the combine just over 6’3 and 332 pounds, and participated in every single event, a rarity by today’s standards. He didn’t blow anyone’s doors off in Indianapolis, but he showed plenty to make him a Top 50 player. He was a captain at TCU, played both center and guard in his time, and rarely got out-muscled inside.
Lace Zierlein of NFL Network even compared him to a former Steeler – Chris Kemoeatu. I’d like to think he’ll be a better player than his comparison, but he could be a solid find in the middle of round two.
ROUND 3 – PICK 80: GARRETT WILLIAMS (CB, SYRACUSE)
Last Week: DeMarvion Overshown (LB, Texas)
This comes with the hope that the Steelers re-signed Cam Sutton and maybe even brought in another veteran corner because waiting until pick 80 wouldn’t be ideal – although Sutton himself was found in the 3rd round in 2017.
Williams could turn into a key starter, but at this spot, I expect him to a CB3 on the roster. He suffered a torn ACL last season for the Orange, but allowed just 14 receptions in seven games to along with two picks and a touchdown.
Williams is listed at 5’10, 192 so he’s as average as they come in terms of size. The Steelers could find themselves with a diamond in the rough, especially if Williams turns into another Cam Sutton.
ROUND 4 – PICK 120: DORIAN WILLIAMS (LB, TULANE)
Last Week: Trade
Inside linebacker is a position in question, but also one the Steelers always seem to target. Williams isn’t necessarily a bruiser at the position, but he’s not tiny and he’s not afraid to wrap players up. He measured in at 6’1, 228 at the combine and pulled off an impressive sub-4.5 40-yard dash. The guy can also do something we didn’t see from the likes of Devin Bush or Robert Spillane (although Mike Tomlin would say otherwise) – defend the pass. Williams is a good zone defender who grabbed an 83.3 grade from PFF this past season and has plenty of experience at the college level. He’d likely be a weakside linebacker, but another youngster that could possibly blossom in Pittsburgh better than Bush ever did.
ROUND 7 – PICK 234: RICHARD GOURAIGE (OL, FLORIDA)
Last Week: Nick Saldiveri (OT, Old Dominion)
I seem to love picking an extra offensive lineman in this spot because it’s the spot in the draft where you just try to find anyone that can contribute in any way possible. Gouraige would never likely be anything more than a depth piece, but he provides the versatility to play inside or out at guard or tackle. His last two seasons with the Gators were spent all at left tackle, but he was stationed at left guard for over 700 snaps in 2020. If he becomes a valued starter, this is a home run.
ROUND 7 – PICK 241: WILL MALLORY (TE, MIAMI)
Last Week: Clatyon Tune (QB, Houston)
I was told by somebody “great pick! Mallory in that spot would be great.” I don’t know about all that. This would require a slide according to the PFF board with Mallory listed as their 193rd overall prospect, but crazier things have happened. Mallory produced at Miami and saw his numbers increase every year. Of course, this depends on what happens with Zach Gentry at the TE2 spot, but we will know his fate soon enough.