The 2019 NFL draft is only two weeks away and we decided it was time to update our mock draft. This time around we’ve added two round and went a full five rounds this time for the Pittsburgh Steelers. This time around we also decided to use the new seven-round mock draft from Draft Wire as our reference. Meaning we couldn’t plug in any player drafted before the Steelers pick.
Here’s how the five rounds went down.
First round-WR Hakeem Butler, Iowa State
The overwhelming strength of the draft early on might be wide receiver. The Steelers need to add a player who can take advantage of single coverage and give Ben Roethlisberger a big target. No receiver in this draft combines the production and size Hakeem Butler does. It was hard to pass up Iowa tight end Noah Fant as well.
Second round-DB Amani Hooker, Iowa
Moving to the second round, it is tough to pass up Iowa defensive back Amani Hooker. Pittsburgh needs a safety and a cornerback and Hooker is both. His future in the NFL is as an elite coverage free safety but his experience at cornerback makes him a great fit for the Steelers.
Third round-EDGE Jachai Polite, Florida
Thanks to the trade of Antonio Brown, the Steelers have two picks in the third round. A poor combine has made some sour on Florida edge Jachai Polite. But when you put on the film you see exactly what he is capable of. In the third round, he is an absolute bargain.
Third round-RB Miles Sanders, Penn State
Speaking of a bargain, if Pittsburgh could land former Penn State running back Miles Sanders in the late third their running back depth chart would be among the best in the AFC. Sanders has every bit of the skills the top backs have in this draft and there’s no excuse he’s still on the board here.
Fourth round-CB Kris Boyd, Texas
Another guy who is better on film than his draft slot is former Texas cornerback Kris Boyd. He’s a big, strong bump-and-run cornerback with a tremendous amount of experience against some of the most explosive passing offenses in college football.
Fifth round-LB Ulysees Gilbert III, Akron
Many will view drafting an inside linebacker this late as a miss but Ulysees Gilbert is a great developmental prospect. He needs to improve his strength but when he can get to the ball clean he has impressive closing speed and is a solid tackler.
