Mock Draft 3.0: Navigating without second-round pick
After acquiring DK Metcalf from the Seahawks, the Steelers are now stronger at the wide receiver position. But, it came with the cost of trading away this year's second-round pick.
How do the Steelers navigate the draft without that pick? Do they try to trade back in the first round? Do they shop George Pickens?
While it's certainly possible for Omar Khan to pull something off to get back into the second round, it's not a guarantee. So, what could it look like if the Steelers go through this year's draft without picking in the second round?
After running several simulations, here's a potential haul in this year's draft with just the one pick on Day 2:
FIRST ROUND, NO. 21: KENNETH GRANT, DT, MICHIGAN
I still believe defensive tackle winds up being the priority in the first round. There's been some noise from draft evaluators that Ole Miss' Jaxson Dart could be the pick here, but I'm not buying it, especially if the Steelers wind up signing Aaron Rodgers. Thus, the Steelers take advantage of a strong class of defensive tackles, and I have Grant at 21st overall this time. Of all the potential defensive tackles that could be available at this spot in the draft, he's the most intriguing. At 6-4 and 331 pounds, he's plenty big enough to play nose tackle, but is athletic enough to play multiple techniques. He's a freak with potential to turn into a special player.
Other options: Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon; Darius Alexander, DT, Toledo; Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss; Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State; Matthew Golden, WR, Texas
THIRD ROUND, NO. 83: DJ GIDDENS, RB, KANSAS STATE
Not having a second-round pick, this selection becomes very important. If Alabama's Jalen Milroe is available here, the Steelers could take a swing on a quarterback. But, I have them going with a running back, though wide receiver or cornerback could be a possibility, too. If Giddens is available in the third round, he could be a great complement to Jaylen Warren right away. He's got good size at 6-0 and 212 pounds, but he's a great athlete with great speed, clocking in with a 4.43 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. His patience, vision and one-cut ability make him an interesting fit in Arthur Smith's offense, so color me intrigued if Giddens is the choice here.
Other options: RJ Harvey, RB, UCF; Savion Williams, WR, TCU; Devin Neal, RB, Kansas; Tez Johnson, WR, Oregon; Dorian Strong, CB, Virginia Tech; Jacob Parrish, CB, Kansas State
FOURTH ROUND, NO. 123: TORY HORTON, WR, COLORADO STATE
I'd be surprised if the Steelers don't address receiver at some point during the draft. One way or another, George Pickens' time in Pittsburgh is coming to an end. Horton isn't the sexiest pick in this draft, but his attention to detail, footwork and underrated speed give him a high floor, especially for a potential fourth-round pick. At 6-3 and 196 pounds, he's a big-bodied receiver that plays a possession game more than threatening defenses vertically. That could be a nice complement to Metcalf. The Steelers had a formal meeting with Horton at the Combine, so there's a little bit of interest there already.
The Steelers should take a swing on a quarterback in this draft, and McCord could be a sneaky good pick if he's available at this point in the draft. He played in a pro-passing scheme at Syracuse, which should help him adjust to the NFL game. While his arm isn't quite elite, it's more than good enough to make a number of throws necessary at the pro level. And, he maintains poise against pressure better than most of the quarterbacks in this class. However, the word "gunslinger" is often tied to McCord, but he lacks the elite arm necessary to play as a true gunslinger. It's resulted in a lot of big-time throws, but also a lot of throws that resulted in interceptions and would lead to even more against NFL defenses. If he can be reined in and play more within structure, he could be a great find in this draft.
Other options: Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas; Upton Stout, DB, Western Kentucky; Kyle Monangai, RB, Rutgers; Jackson Hawes, TE, Georgia Tech
SIXTH ROUND, NO. 185 (via Chicago through Seattle): TONKA HEMINGWAY, DT, SOUTH CAROLINA
If there's one position I could see the Steelers double-dipping in, it's defensive tackle. Yes, they have a ton of depth there already, but the trenches remain a primary focus with Khan and Andy Weidl. Hemingway would fit best in the Steelers' defense as a true 3-4 defensive end, lining up as a 4i or five-technique. He's a great athlete that could grow into a disruptor in that role. If not, he'd be another depth option.
Other options: Emery Jones Jr., OT, LSU; Kurtis Rourke, QB, Indiana; Jaylin Lane, WR, Virginia Tech; Tim Smith, DT, Alabama; Brady Cook, QB, Missouri
SEVENTH ROUND, NO. 229 (via Atlanta through Philadelphia): R.J. MICKENS, S, CLEMSON
I'm not convinced Mickens would be available in the seventh round, but if he is, this is a great example of simply taking the best player available with the last pick in the draft. His father, Ray Mickens, played cornerback in the NFL for 11 years. He's plays with good instincts, which makes up for a lack of top-end speed. He's a smart football player, which should come as no surprise given his upbringing. More than worth a shot in the seventh round.
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THE ASYLUM
Chris Halicke
9:49 pm - 03.23.2025DowntownMock Draft 3.0: Navigating without second-round pick
After acquiring DK Metcalf from the Seahawks, the Steelers are now stronger at the wide receiver position. But, it came with the cost of trading away this year's second-round pick.
How do the Steelers navigate the draft without that pick? Do they try to trade back in the first round? Do they shop George Pickens?
While it's certainly possible for Omar Khan to pull something off to get back into the second round, it's not a guarantee. So, what could it look like if the Steelers go through this year's draft without picking in the second round?
After running several simulations, here's a potential haul in this year's draft with just the one pick on Day 2:
FIRST ROUND, NO. 21:
KENNETH GRANT, DT, MICHIGAN
I still believe defensive tackle winds up being the priority in the first round. There's been some noise from draft evaluators that Ole Miss' Jaxson Dart could be the pick here, but I'm not buying it, especially if the Steelers wind up signing Aaron Rodgers. Thus, the Steelers take advantage of a strong class of defensive tackles, and I have Grant at 21st overall this time. Of all the potential defensive tackles that could be available at this spot in the draft, he's the most intriguing. At 6-4 and 331 pounds, he's plenty big enough to play nose tackle, but is athletic enough to play multiple techniques. He's a freak with potential to turn into a special player.
Other options: Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon; Darius Alexander, DT, Toledo; Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss; Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State; Matthew Golden, WR, Texas
THIRD ROUND, NO. 83:
DJ GIDDENS, RB, KANSAS STATE
Not having a second-round pick, this selection becomes very important. If Alabama's Jalen Milroe is available here, the Steelers could take a swing on a quarterback. But, I have them going with a running back, though wide receiver or cornerback could be a possibility, too. If Giddens is available in the third round, he could be a great complement to Jaylen Warren right away. He's got good size at 6-0 and 212 pounds, but he's a great athlete with great speed, clocking in with a 4.43 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. His patience, vision and one-cut ability make him an interesting fit in Arthur Smith's offense, so color me intrigued if Giddens is the choice here.
Other options: RJ Harvey, RB, UCF; Savion Williams, WR, TCU; Devin Neal, RB, Kansas; Tez Johnson, WR, Oregon; Dorian Strong, CB, Virginia Tech; Jacob Parrish, CB, Kansas State
FOURTH ROUND, NO. 123:
TORY HORTON, WR, COLORADO STATE
I'd be surprised if the Steelers don't address receiver at some point during the draft. One way or another, George Pickens' time in Pittsburgh is coming to an end. Horton isn't the sexiest pick in this draft, but his attention to detail, footwork and underrated speed give him a high floor, especially for a potential fourth-round pick. At 6-3 and 196 pounds, he's a big-bodied receiver that plays a possession game more than threatening defenses vertically. That could be a nice complement to Metcalf. The Steelers had a formal meeting with Horton at the Combine, so there's a little bit of interest there already.
Other options: Nohl Williams, CB, California; Jaydon Blue, RB, Texas; Damien Martinez, RB, Miami (FL); Zy Alexander, CB, LSU
FIFTH ROUND, NO. 156:
KYLE MCCORD, QB, SYRACUSE
The Steelers should take a swing on a quarterback in this draft, and McCord could be a sneaky good pick if he's available at this point in the draft. He played in a pro-passing scheme at Syracuse, which should help him adjust to the NFL game. While his arm isn't quite elite, it's more than good enough to make a number of throws necessary at the pro level. And, he maintains poise against pressure better than most of the quarterbacks in this class. However, the word "gunslinger" is often tied to McCord, but he lacks the elite arm necessary to play as a true gunslinger. It's resulted in a lot of big-time throws, but also a lot of throws that resulted in interceptions and would lead to even more against NFL defenses. If he can be reined in and play more within structure, he could be a great find in this draft.
Other options: Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas; Upton Stout, DB, Western Kentucky; Kyle Monangai, RB, Rutgers; Jackson Hawes, TE, Georgia Tech
SIXTH ROUND, NO. 185 (via Chicago through Seattle):
TONKA HEMINGWAY, DT, SOUTH CAROLINA
If there's one position I could see the Steelers double-dipping in, it's defensive tackle. Yes, they have a ton of depth there already, but the trenches remain a primary focus with Khan and Andy Weidl. Hemingway would fit best in the Steelers' defense as a true 3-4 defensive end, lining up as a 4i or five-technique. He's a great athlete that could grow into a disruptor in that role. If not, he'd be another depth option.
Other options: Emery Jones Jr., OT, LSU; Kurtis Rourke, QB, Indiana; Jaylin Lane, WR, Virginia Tech; Tim Smith, DT, Alabama; Brady Cook, QB, Missouri
SEVENTH ROUND, NO. 229 (via Atlanta through Philadelphia):
R.J. MICKENS, S, CLEMSON
I'm not convinced Mickens would be available in the seventh round, but if he is, this is a great example of simply taking the best player available with the last pick in the draft. His father, Ray Mickens, played cornerback in the NFL for 11 years. He's plays with good instincts, which makes up for a lack of top-end speed. He's a smart football player, which should come as no surprise given his upbringing. More than worth a shot in the seventh round.
Other options: Myles Frazier, G, LSU; Luke Lackey, TE, Iowa; Hollin Pierce, OT, Rutgers; Malachi Moore, S, Alabama; Ja'Quinden Jackson, RB, Arkansas
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