It's draft night. That's a big deal for us at the PM Team.
Last year, we got bored. With no sports going on and all. So we started working our sources for Steelers draft tips.
Steelers brass stopped taking Mueller's calls after he called for Big Ben's head. Kraig's calls went straight to voicemail because Steelers officials didn't want to associate with a known sports betting syndicate. But thankfully, Fillipponi still has friends in high places. In fact, he was the only Steelers mock drafter to peg Kevin Dotson to the Black & Gold. And what a pick that turned out to be.
The Steelers have 8 picks. We didn't get fancy and make all kinds of draft day trades. It takes two to tango. And most of our sources are in Pittsburgh.
This mock reflects what we think the Steelers WILL DO. Not what we WANT them to do.
1st Round. Pick 24. LB Zaven Collins, Tulsa.
Collins is picking up Steelers steam. He's a jack-of-all-trades. Do-it-all player. The modern defensive weapon. Our sources tell us Najee Harris will be off the board. The Dolphins at 18 is a strong possibility. But so are the Jets at 23. That wouldn't give the Steelers much time to trade down. And we at the PM Team can't figure out if they like Travis Etienne or Javonte Williams more. We've heard both. So we go with a player we know they like.
Collins is picking up Steelers steam. He's a jack-of-all-trades. Do-it-all player. The modern defensive weapon. Our sources tell us Najee Harris will be off the board. The Dolphins at 18 is a strong possibility. But so are the Jets at 23. That wouldn't give the Steelers much time to trade down. And we at the PM Team can't figure out if they like Travis Etienne or Javonte Williams more. We've heard both. So we go with a player we know they like.
2nd Round. Pick 55. OT Liam Eichenberg, Notre Dame.
The Steelers sent their big wigs to Notre Dame Pro Day. Eichenberg has started 38 games at left tackle. He was 1st team All-ACC. And there's great pedigree. The past 3 Notre Dame left tackles have been 1st round picks. They churn out linemen. There is a lot of uncertainty in this draft. With opt outs and a lack of a scouting combine. This is a player with a high floor. Could be a day 1 starter.
3rd Round. Pick 87. RB Trey Sermon, Ohio State.
The PM Team has heard through the grapevine that Sermon is the Steelers RB fallback option. He's the equivalent of a safety school for a college applicant. A player they know they can get on Day 2 that can be a productive player. He rushed for 331 yards in the Big Ten Championship game. And was a late bloomer for the Buckeyes after transferring in from Oklahoma.
4th Round. Pick 128. QB Kyle Trask, Florida.
The Steelers won't be able to resist. They might not have a 1st round grade on Trask, but it's close. The Patriots also like Trask. But they will fill that hole at pick #15 or with a Jimmy G trade. That will lead to a Trask free fall. Could lead to an interesting scenario. Josh Dobbs would likely be the odd man out. Leaving Mason Rudolph and Dwayne Haskins to compete for the last QB spot on the roster.
4th Round. Pick 140. C Michael Menet, Penn State
Kevin Colbert says center is deep. And starters can be found later in the draft. Here is one of them. A 3 year starter at Penn State. Mike Tomlin and Kevin Colbert were both at Penn State Pro Day. Menet can also play guard. Offensive line versatility will come in handy as a rookie. Could be a Dotson situation. Where by week 8, he looks like the best center on the roster.
6th Round. Pick 216. Edge Rusher Joshua Kaindoh, Florida State.
Kaindoh is a Steelers player. A twitchy athlete that was hampered by injury. He was a 1-year starter with only 8 career sacks. But was a 5-star recruit out of high school. There's potential. Let him compete for a special teams spot. And bring him along slowly. Tomlin's liked Florida State defensive players over the years.
7th Round. Pick 245. WR Dez Fitzpatrick, Louisville.
The Steelers can't go through a draft without taking a WR. Fitzpatrick ran a 4.4 40 at Louisville Pro Day. Played outside WR. And was the team's leading receiver. He's a big play threat. Had 3 catches of 60+ yards in 2020.
7th Round. Pick 254. P Jason Smith, Cincinnati.
Jordan Berry is terrible. The Steelers have been searching for a reliable punter for the better part of 3 years. It's time to draft one. The Steelers have an extra pick. 8. So that affords them the luxury of using a pick on a specialist.
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