It is time once again to run a full seven-round mock draft simulation from our friends over at the Pro Football Network and break down the Pittsburgh Steelers picks. Which picks will stay and which ones will we change? Read on and find out.
First round - CB Cam Smith, South Carolina
If Cameron Sutton is gone in free agency, drafting his replacement makes sense and even as the fourth cornerback off the board, Cam Smith is a solid option. I’d probably have gone with EDGE Lukas Van Ness or offensive tackle Peter Skoronski and get the Steelers started building in the trenches where they need help the most.
Second round - TE Darnell Washington, Georgia
This pick went way off script and frankly would be a legitimate waste of a pick for a team with Pat Freiermuth and Connor Heyward on the roster. If we left Smith as the first-round pick, offensive tackle Anton Harrison, EDGE Nolan Smith or LB Drew Sanders would be much better choices.
Second round - WR Cedric Tillman, Tennessee
Another pick that feels too soon. Pittsburgh has plenty of weapons in the passing game with Diontae Johnson, George Pickens, Steven Sims, Calvin Johnson III and Pat Friermuth. Defensive tackle Gervon Dexter or Calijah Kancey should be the pick here instead.
Third round - OT Matthew Bergeron, Syracuse
If the Steelers can get Matthew Bergeron here, that’s a quality value pick. But if offensive line is addressed earlier, cornerback Julius Brents is the best option here to replace Smith in the first round.
Fourth round - C Ricky Stromberg, Arkansas
Interior offensive line is definitely a need and Stromberg is a nice, versatile option here. Tough to argue any other player over him for this pick.
Seventh round - WR Andrei Iosivas, Princeton
There must have been a glitch in the algorithm in this seventh round with the Steelers drafting two more wide receivers. Guard Mark Evans II and EDGE Durell Nchami at least have a fighting chance to help the team.
Seventh round - WR Jadakis Bonds, Hampton
A third wide receiver is not what the Steelers want to do. But if we correct the picks for the first two, I’m good with Jadakis Bonds in the seventh round. He’s a highly productive receiver with excellent measurables and is a documented deep threat who can beat coverage.
The re-draft
Ok, so taking all the picks as they fell in this sim, here’s how it draft would have looked if we had been in charge.
First round – OT Peter Skoronski, Northwestern
Second round – EDGE Nolan Smith, Georgia
Second round – DT Calijah Kancey, Pitt
Third round – CB Julius Brents, Kansas State
Fourth round – OL Ricky Stromberg, Arkansas
Seventh round – LB Jeremy Banks, Tennessee
Seventh round – WR Jadakis Bonds, Hampton
