The Pittsburgh Steelers have been able to sustain success by drafting well. After a rough start to the season in 2022, the team rallied and finished above .500. Now with second-year quarterback Kenny Pickett looking to make a jump, the Steelers are looking to be back in the mix in the AFC. Here is a 7-round mock draft for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
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Steelers HC Mike Tomlin – Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Pittsburgh Steelers 7-Round Mock Draft
The Steelers have a total of seven picks in the draft. I think they are a trade-down candidate at 17, as this class is a little weaker. However, I am projecting any trades in this mock draft. I am only going off the picks that the team currently has. Onto the mock draft!
Former OSU T Dawand Jones (79) – Michael Wade/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Round 1: No. 17: Dawand Jones OT, Ohio State
You’ll see a theme with this 7-round mock draft, and it starts in round one. Whatever you think of Pickett, he is the quarterback and the team needs to put pieces around him. The number one priority is protecting him. Jones has long been linked to the Steelers, and I think they jump at the chance to take a possible left tackle of the future. The offensive line is never the most exciting pick, but it is a necessary one. The Steelers are a smart organization, and they will do the smart thing here.
Former Michigan DL Mazi Smith (59) – AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall
Round 2: No. 32: Mazi Smith DT, Michigan
This is one of my favorite players in the draft. Smith is an athletic freak who was an important piece of the Michigan defense. While his stats won’t jump off the page, his athletic measurements will. The Steelers need to find a run-stopper in the middle who can also move and chase quarterbacks. They got this pick in the Chase Claypool trade and will put it to good use to pick up an ultra-athletic defensive tackle.
Former ND State T Cody Mauch (70) – North Dakota State Athletics
Round 2: No. 49: Cody Mauch OT, North Dakota State
The Pittsburgh Steelers will make it very clear what their priority is in the first two rounds. Mauch has skyrocketed up draft boards and has consistently been taken in the second round. Mauch has some flexibility on where he can play on the line. Pairing him with Jones in the first round gives the Steelers a potential one-two tackle punch that can anchor the line for the future. A total remake of the offensive line is in full swing, with two top prospects getting in the building.
Former K-State CB Julius Brents (23) – Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images
Round 3: No. 80: Julius Brents CB, Kansas State
The team lost some cornerback depth with Cameron Sutton going to Detroit. They brought in Patrick Peterson, but not many have high expectations for him this season. The Steelers will look to add some depth to the room with a third-round pick of Brents. His 6-foot-3 frame and ball skills are something you cannot teach. While he does not possess elite speed or athleticism, he should be able to hold his own in the league.
Former Iowa State WE Xavier Hutchinson (8) – AP Photo/Eric Gay
Round 4: No. 120: Xavier Hutchinson WR, Iowa State
It wouldn’t be a Pittsburgh Steelers draft unless they found the next great receiver. Whoever the Steelers select will most likely become a top-ten wide receiver in a couple of years. I think Hutchinson has some great potential. In an Iowa State offense that was not known for its explosiveness, Hutchinson still produced over 2,000 yards. He would be a great number three wideout behind Diontae Johnson and George Pickens.
Former ECU RB Keaton Mitchell (25) – East Carolina University Athletics
Round 7: No. 234: Keaton Mitchell RB, East Carolina
Running back isn’t a top priority but the nature of the position means that taking a flyer on a late-round back is usually good practice in the draft. Mitchell is a smaller back but one that has a lot of speed. He would contrast well with Najee Harris and give the offense a change of pace. The seventh round is a great place to take chances.
Former Penn State OL Juice Scruggs (70) – Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
Round 7: No. 241: Juice Scruggs OL, Penn State
It isn’t just in the first couple of rounds that the Steelers try to solve their offensive line. Scruggs is an interesting prospect out of Penn State. This is one of the gut-feeling picks. He just has the mentality that screams, “You are a Pittsburgh Steeler!” His game needs work, but every pick in the seventh round does. This is a low-risk, high-reward pick.
That is my 7-round mock draft for the Pittsburgh Steelers. It will be interesting to see how they build this roster out to compete in a tough AFC conference.
