Mock Draft: Steelers Pass Up Four Big Names at 17

The Pittsburgh Steelers stick to their plan, but you have to wonder if a change would leave them with options.

PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers are sticking to their guns and drafting a cornerback, despite some serious star power being on the board at pick 17 in the latest mock draft. 

Sports Illustrated's Kevin Hanson released his fifth mock of the offseason, and has the Steelers selecting Penn State cornerback Joey Porter Jr. with the 17th pick. While that's anticipated by many, the names they left on the board had to raise some consideration for their plans in the first round. 

The Steelers select Porter while Bryan Bresee, Jordan Addison, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Quentin Johnston are all still on the board. And even with the 32nd pick not far away, all four names are gone before the end of the first round. 

"The Steelers signed Patrick Peterson to help replace the loss of Cameron Sutton in free agency, but Peterson will turn 33 in July. The son of the former linebacker and coach (and Steelers great), Porter is a physical corner with excellent size, length and speed. Although he had only one career interception at Penn State, he is disruptive at the catch point and finished 2022 with a career-high 11 passes defended," Hanson writes.

The Steelers' top priority does still feel like cornerback, but the tides seem to be changing about how aggressive they'll be to draft one with their first pick. As Pro Days ramp up, Pittsburgh is prioritizing a number of positions to go scout, which has opened the door to a new position at pick 17. 

Head coach Mike Tomlin made headlines after spending a considerable amount of time with Bresee at Clemson's Pro Day. The Steelers also made news by not attending Addison's or taking Smith-Njigba out to dinner during his. 

Just for context, they didn't take Kenny Pickett out to dinner, either. 

Still, Porter is a likely move, but it would be interesting to see all these names sitting there at pick 17. Maryland cornerback Deonte Banks pick 23, and Georgia's Kelee Ringo doesn't go until pick 30. So, you have to wonder if either one slides to 32 if Pittsburgh goes a different direction. 

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