Mock Draft 1.0: Steelers Land Two Stars With Massive Trade
PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers are two stages through their NFL Draft process, but still have a long way to go. That being said, the NFL Combine left a feel of which direction this team will go with their draft picks and what positions they have their eyes on.
The Steelers had some surprises in Indianapolis, avoiding some of the top centers in the draft class but focusing on other positions not many had high on their boards.
Things will change, and prospects will rise and fall on their draft board, but right now, here's how their NFL Draft should shake out.
Round 1, Pick 20: Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
Leaving the NFL Combine, no prospect made more sense for the Steelers than Mims. Broderick Jones' former teammate and another Georgia Bulldog. Mike Tomlin loves his Georgia Bulldogs.
Mims is a true right tackle who would allow Jones to move back to the left side. He's 6'8 and as massive of a human being as they come. He did suffer a hamstring injury during the NFL Combine, but if everything is good to go before his Pro Day, the Steelers should be in love with this prospect.
He feels like the perfect fit and exactly what the Steelers are looking for when it comes to solidifying their offensive line.
Round 2, Pick 33: Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
Trade: Steelers receiver pick 33. Panthers receive pick 51, 121, and 2025 sixth-round pick.
With two picks back-to-back in the fourth round, the Steelers make a trade to jump to the top of the second round. There, they allow themselves to go after another cornerback, selecting McKinstry out of Alabama.
Watching McKinstry work at the NFL Combine, it was clear as day that he was a Steelers cornerback. He's tall, lengthy and physical. Pittsburgh isn't going to get their hands on Quinyon Mitchell, who is their top choice in this draft, but McKinstry brings a lot of potential.
With the opportunity to make their starting cornerbacks young and dangerous, Omar Khan makes a move.
Round 3, Pick 84: Braden Fiske, DT, Florida State
The Steelers want to add to their defensive tackle room this offseason with Cam Heyward nearing the end of his career and Larry Ogunjobi approaching the end of his contract. They won't jump the gun and draft someone early, but they could use their first mid-round pick to add a big man on defense.
Fiske impressed at the NFL Combine and is on Pittsburgh's radar, according to league sources. He ran a 4.78 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, but weighed a little less than teams will like him to (292 pounds).
Still, he's got a ton of upside and has been a proven player at the college level for a few years. Pittsburgh will hope he comes in with the ability to step into a backup role behind Heyward and Ogunjobi immediately.
Round 4, Pick 120: Ricky Pearsall, WR, Florida
The Steelers want a wide receiver in the NFL Draft, but if they aren't going to land one of the top ones in the first round, they'll likely wait to try and find another option in the middle of the draft.
Pearsall is their best fit.
He's the typical "crafty route runner" and has 4.4 speed that will allow him to create separation. He needs to add some strength to his game, but for a rookie, he could step in and develop into a quality backup for the Steelers during his first season.
Round 6, Pick 197: Tommy Eichenberg, LB, Ohio State
The Steelers need an inside linebacker, but there may not be many in the NFL Draft worth taking early. So, they'll wait, and add to their core with another player bringing some upside to the NFL.
Eichenberg doesn't come in to overstep Elandon Roberts or Cole Holcomb. He does compete with Mark Robinson, who is hopefully ready to take a step forward in playing time.
He isn't the ideal coverage linebacker, but has the quickness to work in space. At this point in the draft, Pittsburgh is looking for upside over immediate impact, and Eichenberg brings that.
Round 7, Pick 238: Joe Milton, QB, Tennessee
The Steelers are not interested in a quarterback in the NFL Draft, but they do have some fascination with Joe Milton. The passer with a rocket arm out of Tennessee isn't going to go much higher than the seventh round, and if he falls to Pittsburgh with their last pick, he'll end up a Steeler.
Milton brings potential, and behind Kenny Pickett and hopefully Mason Rudolph, he won't have any pressure to play early in his career. For now, he'll get to work on his timing and anticipation and sit behind two veterans while learning from Arthur Smith and quarterbacks coach Tom Arth.
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