Many of you check out the excellent mock drafts all over media outlets across the internet. That is fantastic and a great way to get some exposure to the top prospects for the upcoming NFL Draft. Some of those mocks even go two and three rounds.
However, what about the mid-round players who might really fit what the Steelers are looking for?
How about we now expose you to a pile of those players who could end up in black and gold as third-, fourth-, or fifth-round picks?
Here are some of those names to know at some key positions for the Steelers.
WIDE RECEIVER
Xavier Hutchinson, Iowa State (6-2, 203): He averaged 8.9 catches per game last year, which was the highest mark in the entire FBS, and he caught a whopping 254 passes over the past three seasons. He can play outside but would be a big slot receiver for the Steelers. Hutchinson has quick feet, a strong body and plays with physicality. He isn’t a burner but would compete for playing time right away alongside Deontae Johnson and George Pickens.
Jayden Reed, Michigan State (5-11, 187): He isn’t huge, but he can line up on the outside or in the slot and has downfield speed. Michigan State’s offense was a bit of a disaster last year, and Reed’s numbers weren’t great in 2022. But he was a major force the previous season and had an excellent showing at the Senior Bowl. He is an explosive playmaker who also excels as a punt returner, something the Steelers look for in their wide receivers.
Michael Wilson, Stanford (6-2, 213 lbs.): This wide receiver class is loaded with small and slight players. Wilson certainly isn’t that. He has a great build and strength. The issue with Wilson has been injuries. Over the last 30 possible games, he has only appeared in 14, missing 16. A very smart player, he also has a special teams background, which you love to see as it shows off his toughness and competitive nature. He also stood out at the Senior Bowl.
OFFENSIVE TACKLE
Nick Saldiveri, Old Dominion (6-6, 318): A right tackle at Old Dominion, Saldiveri showed well at the Senior Bowl against an uptick in competition. He is a late bloomer who keeps getting better and better. He didn’t give up a sack last year. Hopefully Saldiveri’s best football still lies ahead. He could stand to get better with his big, strong hands, but Saldiveri has very good movement skills and body control. You don’t have to squint really hard to see him as a starting offensive tackle in the NFL after some coaching from Pat Meyer.
Carter Warren, Pitt (6-5 ½, 311) Of course, the Steelers will have everything they need to know about a Pitt guy. And Warren has traits to work with. He has exclusively been a left tackle at Pitt, where he was a four-year starter, but his 2022 season was cut short because of a knee injury. Warren has the offensive tackle build you look for, as well as a very solid athletic profile.
Jake Witt, Northern Michigan (6-7, 302): Witt is tall with an athletic frame that could add more weight, and he tested well. He obviously faced weak competition and was only a one-year starter at Northern Michigan, as he spent most of his time there as a tight end. His athletic ability is obvious, and Witt runs very well. As you would expect, his technique needs an awful lot of work, but in a year, maybe he could be a factor for the Steelers at a discount rate in the draft.
CENTER
Juice Scruggs, Penn State (6-3, 301): The Steelers went heavy to improve their interior offensive line, but adding a mid-round center to groom wouldn’t be a bad idea. Scruggs dealt with injuries in 2019 and 2020 but has come on strong since. He isn’t a great mover when forced to quickly change directions, but Scruggs plays with heavy hands and does a nice job in protection. He is a smart player with some traits to develop. Scruggs also has experience at guard.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Zacch Pickens, South Carolina (6-4, 291): He was a five-star recruit, and his traits are obvious. His size would be appealing to the Steelers' scheme as an end in their 3-4, as well as an interior pass rusher on passing downs. Pickens spent most of his time lined up on the outside shoulder of the center but has the ability to play any interior spot. His hand usage could use more development, but he is quick and strong and should be able to contribute right away.
Colby Wooden, Auburn (6-4, 273): He has a good frame for a 3-4 defensive end and should be able to continue to add bulk and strength. At Auburn, he played end in a 4-3, but also a lot of snaps on the inside, where the Steelers would use him. He could stand to get a little stronger. Wooden keeps getting better and makes a lot of plays in the opponent’s backfield.
EDGE RUSHER
Jose Ramirez, Eastern Michigan (6-2, 242): He is on the short side, but the Steelers have had success with shorter players at outside linebacker in their 3-4 scheme. He led the FBS in sacks per game this past season and is just a very productive football player, even though he didn’t start rushing the passer until a few years ago. Ramirez is relentless, and while he isn’t a particularly stout run defender, his energy would benefit the Steelers on defense on a limited basis, as well as on special teams right away. The Steelers have had success with similar MAC defenders in the past.
LINEBACKER
Ivan Pace Jr., Cincinnati (5-10 1/2, 231): He is short, but is thickly built and plays a physical brand of football with violence. Pace’s play is infectious, and he is extremely productive. He is a very good blitzer, something the Steelers would surely utilize with regularity.
Dorian Williams, Tulane (6-1, 228): This is a very productive football player who just keeps getting better and was instrumental in Tulane’s 12-2 season this past year. He was also the Defensive MVP of their Cotton Bowl win over USC. Williams flies around the field, but still could use some work with his recognition skills. In the meantime, he will be a demon on all four special teams units.
SAFETY
Quan Martin, Illinois (5-11, 194): He might be best off as a slot defender, but is also quite good in deep patrol as a single-high defender. In this regard, Martin has some similarities to Minkah Fitzpatrick and Damontae Kazee, which would give the Steelers amazing versatility amongst their safeties. Martin was a five-year starter at Illinois and comes into the league quite NFL ready. He is an excellent athlete with high upside and a low floor.
Daniel Scott, California (6-1, 208): He is a productive player and a very good athletic tester with great size for the safety position. He can play in the slot or as a single high or two-high safety. Scott has a very good head for the game, which shows up in his usage. He has quick feet but needs work still on the finer points of the position. But there is a lot to work with here.
JL Skinner, Boise State (6-4, 209): He would fill the Terrell Edmunds role as a traditional strong safety near the line of scrimmage. He has rare height and length for the position and was a three-year starter at Boise State with smooth movement skills for such a long defender. Skinner has some slot capabilities against bigger wide receivers and tight ends, and overall, he does his best work in box with a physical nature to his game.
CORNERBACK, TIGHT END
Cornerback was omitted since I detailed the top players at that position last week. I do fully expect the Steelers to draft a corner within the top 50 picks overall, although this is a very deep group of incoming cornerbacks, and there will be value in the middle rounds.
Tight end was also omitted, as this is just an insanely deep draft at that position, and the entire article could have been based on tight ends who could help the Steelers as a draft value.