PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Mike Tomlin predicted it on Monday, said they were excited for it and open for business. The Steelers are fielding calls as they are on the clock with the first selection on Day 2 of the NFL Draft Friday.
It seems so obvious that often you might spend a lot of time overthinking it. Several mock drafts had the Steelers selecting Penn State corner Joey Porter, Junior with pick 17 in the first round. They need a corner. He is still available. There has never been a player in the NFL Draft who Tomlin knows more about than Porter.
Despite one interception in his career, his ability to lockdown in mostly man coverage earned the North Allegheny HS grad Second Team AP All-American honors at PSU and that’s even with missing two games due to an appendectomy. Porter knows the way the Steelers want to play and the pressure of being a player in Pittsburgh.
But the temptation is there. What if you trade back and gain a pick in the fourth, fifth or sixth rounds? Who are some other players who will likely be available?
Safety Brian Branch
· Steelers are still searching for a long-term option next to Minkah Fitzpatrick after the free agent loss of former first-round pick Terrell Edmunds. You would be pairing Minkah with a fellow Alabama player Brian Branch (90 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 7 passes defended and 2 picks in 2022). He’s 6’, 190 pounds, good against the run with above-average ball skills according to NFL.com
Receivers (some of these receivers would also be available at Pick 49)
· Jonathan Mingo, Ole Miss-he’s likely more of a slot, possession receiver, but has size at 6’2” and is thick at 220 pounds. Set career-highs as a senior with 51 receptions, 861 yards, 16.9 per catch and 5 touchdowns.
· Jayden Reed, Michigan State-has speed, a potential deep threat and a good route-runner, but is 5’11”, 187 pounds. Had a monster junior year-59 receptions, 1,026 yards, 10 TD, 17.4 average, last year-55 rec, 636 yards, 5 TD
· Jalin Hyatt-Tennessee-good hands, explosiveness and the numbers are eye-opening for the 6’, 176 pound junior-67 catches, 1,267 yards, 18.9 per catch, 15 TD
· Cedric Tillman-Tennessee- who brings better size and tracks a deep ball well. He was a star in 2021-64 receptions, 1,081 yards, 16.9 per catch, 12 TD. Last year limited to six games with a high ankle sprain, 37 catches, 417 yards and 3 TD
There are several other highly rated players at positions the Steelers don’t appear to immediately need like tight end (Michael Mayer-ND, Luke Musgrave-Oregon St, Sam LaPorta-Iowa) and interior offensive linemen (Steve Avila-TCU, Joe Tippmann-Wisconsin, O’Cyrus Torrence-Florida, John Michael Schmitz-Minnesota).
There are other corner options as well like Kelee Ringo from Georgia, Julius Brents-Kansas State, Tyrique Stevenson-Miami. Then there are potential pass rushers like 6’5”, 285 pound Keion White from Georgia Tech (who was more of an end in college), BJ Ojulari-6’2”, 248 pound linebacker from LSU & 1st team All-SEC and inside linebacker Trenton Simpson (6’2”, 235 pounds) who can cover running backs and tight ends.
These players could be available later in the second round at 49 or if you would decide to trade back, you could still end up with a couple of these players. It’s a new position for the Steelers. They are enjoying the attention and options but hope to never be in the position again to have the first pick in any round, barring trade.