The NFL Scouting Combine is in the rearview mirror, setting the stage for the start of free agency next week. However, the draft will still be here before we know it. And, with the intel gathered in Indianapolis, it makes sense to revisit the potential strategy the Steelers might have during the draft.
That's the true focus of this mock draft. These aren't predictions, rather than look at the players that might be available in each round and why the choice was made for each round.
I used the Pro Football Focus simulator several times in preparation for this, skewing their settings to base the big board off the general public, not just PFF's rankings. The choices below were the consensus choices throughout each time of going through the simulator.
I also did not execute any trades because trades are unpredictable. Also, I'm not trying to be an armchair general manager. Again, this exercise is meant to map out a strategy that weighs best player available and team needs while also seeing which players are available in each round.
FIRST ROUND, NO. 21: DERRICK HARMON, DT, OREGON
You're going to see a lot of post-Combine Steelers mock drafts have a receiver going in the first round, most likely either Ohio State's Emeka Egbuka or Texas' Matthew Golden. And, both are fine choices. However, I'm not flapping in the wind here. The Steelers are still prioritizing defensive tackle, and they want to get one of the better ones in this class.
Harmon models his game after Cam Heyward, and he's almost an identical size to boot. Plus, he ran a 4.95 in the 40-yard dash, which is quite impressive for a guy who stands 6-5 and weighs 313 pounds. Harmon's motor will win over a lot of people, and he stands a better chance of growing into a legitimate replacement for when Heyward retires. In the meantime, he'll help beef up a defensive line that needs to get better after giving up 299 rushing yards in its most recent contest.
One mock draft I did on PFF's simulator had Texas' Jahdae Barron available at 21. Needless to say, if that happens, that's the pick to make. The Steelers loved him.
Other options: Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri; Darius Alexander, DT, Toledo; Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss; Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State; Matthew Golden, WR, Texas
SECOND ROUND, NO. 53: QUINSHON JUDKINS, RB, OHIO STATE
One thing I do know from the Combine is the Steelers love the two running backs out of Ohio State. The second round is a great place to snag one.
Judkins offers a great blend of size, speed and athleticism. At 6-0, 221 pounds, he can be the power option in support of Jaylen Warren on short-yardage situations, but he's also versatile enough to run in Arthur Smith's wide zone system, as he displays a good amount of patience and decisiveness on runs to the outside. Judkins possesses more speed than Najee Harris, clocking in at 4.48 seconds in the 40-yard dash, so there's potential for more explosive runs, though doesn't quite match the physicality with which Harris possesses.
Other options: Jayden Higgins, WR, Iowa State; Alfred Collins, DT, Texas; Darien Porter, CB, Iowa State; Kaleb Johnson, RB, Iowa; Joshua Farmer, DT, Florida State
THIRD ROUND, NO. 85: TRE HARRIS, WR, OLE MISS
The third and fourth rounds could make or break the Steelers' draft this year. This is where they could really hit on a couple of players, and Harris could be one of them.
At 6-2, 205 pounds, Harris possesses good size for an NFL receiver. He doesn't blow you away with speed (4.54 40-yard dash), but he still has enough to get by coverage downfield. He's an explosive athlete, and that came through with great scores in the vertical (38.5 inches) and broad jump (10 feet, five inches). He probably should make more contested catches, and he's missed time due to injuries in each of the past two seasons. But, the upside is more than worth a choice in the third round. He's a straight up 'X' receiver and could be a good No. 2 option at the NFL level.
Other options: 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. 122: NOHL WILLIAMS, CB, CALIFORNIA
I expect the Steelers to address cornerback in free agency, so I don't see it being that much of a priority by the time the draft comes around in April. But, I do know they walked away from the Combine with a better opinion of the class than they had before, so it won't surprise me to see them take one around this stage of the draft.
Williams may not blow you away with elite speed or athleticism, but it's hard to argue with 14 interceptions at the college level, seven coming just last season. He could be a great fit for what the Steelers ask of their cornerbacks, especially if Cory Trice Jr. continues to struggle with staying healthy. Williams has plenty of experience and the skill set to play press man coverage and the deep third in Cover 3. His technique in press man needs work, but he's not weak at either man or zone coverage. He'd be a great find in the fourth round, though he very well could be gone by the time this Steelers pick here.
While it's not the strongest quarterback class, it wouldn't completely surprise me if the Steelers took a chance on one of these guys.
Ewers had a formal meeting with the Steelers, and from what I heard, the meeting went very well. He's got some great tools, including some very good arm talent to make throws to any portion of the field. The problem is he doesn't read defenses quickly enough, whether it be pre- or post-snap, and lacks the escapability to help thwart NFL blitzes. Thus, he really feels like a Day 3 guy for me that can develop into a decent starter down the road. If he figures out how to better read the game, he can develop into something really special. The arm talent is there. But, that's a big risk.
Other options: Kyle McCord, QB, Syracuse; Upton Stout, DB, Western Kentucky; Kyle Monangai, RB, Rutgers; Jackson Hawes, TE, Georgia Tech
At some point, I expect the Steelers to address offensive line, though they don't have an immediate need there right now. They need to let this young line develop. But, it wouldn't hurt to add another youngster to the mix.
Browns is well-versed in blocking in outside zone/wide zone schemes. That's what Kansas runs. He's got great size and length, but he needs a good amount of coaching to clean up his technique, especially in pass protection. Even so, he could start off as a swing tackle and develop into a starter down the road. This would be a solid pick.
Other options: Max Brosmer, QB, Minnesota; Malachi Moore, S, Alabama; Cam'Ron Jackson, DT, Florida; Hollin Pierce, OT, Rutgers
SEVENTH ROUND, NO. 231 (via Atlanta): CJ DIPPRE, TE, ALABAMA
The only two locks at tight end are Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington. Thus, why not a home-run swing for a tight end in the seventh round?
Dippre is a pass-catching tight end that has ideal size at 6-5, 256 pounds. He battles hard in contested catches and does a great job of finding open space when the quarterback improvises. He also took on the responsibility of being a moving lead-blocker with the Crimson Tide, but he needs to desperately work on his physicality, technique and finish. He doesn't stand out in either phase of the game, but he has enough tools to eventually develop into something more than a special-teamer.
Other options: Samuel Brown, WR, Florida; Ty Robinson, DT, Nebraska; Dylan Fairchild, G, Georgia; Fentrell Cypress III, CB, Florida State
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THE ASYLUM
Chris Halicke
10:59 pm - 03.05.2025DowntownPost-Combine Mock Draft: Stay the course
The NFL Scouting Combine is in the rearview mirror, setting the stage for the start of free agency next week. However, the draft will still be here before we know it. And, with the intel gathered in Indianapolis, it makes sense to revisit the potential strategy the Steelers might have during the draft.
That's the true focus of this mock draft. These aren't predictions, rather than look at the players that might be available in each round and why the choice was made for each round.
I used the Pro Football Focus simulator several times in preparation for this, skewing their settings to base the big board off the general public, not just PFF's rankings. The choices below were the consensus choices throughout each time of going through the simulator.
I also did not execute any trades because trades are unpredictable. Also, I'm not trying to be an armchair general manager. Again, this exercise is meant to map out a strategy that weighs best player available and team needs while also seeing which players are available in each round.
FIRST ROUND, NO. 21:
DERRICK HARMON, DT, OREGON
You're going to see a lot of post-Combine Steelers mock drafts have a receiver going in the first round, most likely either Ohio State's Emeka Egbuka or Texas' Matthew Golden. And, both are fine choices. However, I'm not flapping in the wind here. The Steelers are still prioritizing defensive tackle, and they want to get one of the better ones in this class.
Harmon models his game after Cam Heyward, and he's almost an identical size to boot. Plus, he ran a 4.95 in the 40-yard dash, which is quite impressive for a guy who stands 6-5 and weighs 313 pounds. Harmon's motor will win over a lot of people, and he stands a better chance of growing into a legitimate replacement for when Heyward retires. In the meantime, he'll help beef up a defensive line that needs to get better after giving up 299 rushing yards in its most recent contest.
One mock draft I did on PFF's simulator had Texas' Jahdae Barron available at 21. Needless to say, if that happens, that's the pick to make. The Steelers loved him.
Other options: Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri; Darius Alexander, DT, Toledo; Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss; Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State; Matthew Golden, WR, Texas
SECOND ROUND, NO. 53:
QUINSHON JUDKINS, RB, OHIO STATE
One thing I do know from the Combine is the Steelers love the two running backs out of Ohio State. The second round is a great place to snag one.
Judkins offers a great blend of size, speed and athleticism. At 6-0, 221 pounds, he can be the power option in support of Jaylen Warren on short-yardage situations, but he's also versatile enough to run in Arthur Smith's wide zone system, as he displays a good amount of patience and decisiveness on runs to the outside. Judkins possesses more speed than Najee Harris, clocking in at 4.48 seconds in the 40-yard dash, so there's potential for more explosive runs, though doesn't quite match the physicality with which Harris possesses.
Other options: Jayden Higgins, WR, Iowa State; Alfred Collins, DT, Texas; Darien Porter, CB, Iowa State; Kaleb Johnson, RB, Iowa; Joshua Farmer, DT, Florida State
THIRD ROUND, NO. 85:
TRE HARRIS, WR, OLE MISS
The third and fourth rounds could make or break the Steelers' draft this year. This is where they could really hit on a couple of players, and Harris could be one of them.
At 6-2, 205 pounds, Harris possesses good size for an NFL receiver. He doesn't blow you away with speed (4.54 40-yard dash), but he still has enough to get by coverage downfield. He's an explosive athlete, and that came through with great scores in the vertical (38.5 inches) and broad jump (10 feet, five inches). He probably should make more contested catches, and he's missed time due to injuries in each of the past two seasons. But, the upside is more than worth a choice in the third round. He's a straight up 'X' receiver and could be a good No. 2 option at the NFL level.
Other options: 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. 122:
NOHL WILLIAMS, CB, CALIFORNIA
I expect the Steelers to address cornerback in free agency, so I don't see it being that much of a priority by the time the draft comes around in April. But, I do know they walked away from the Combine with a better opinion of the class than they had before, so it won't surprise me to see them take one around this stage of the draft.
Williams may not blow you away with elite speed or athleticism, but it's hard to argue with 14 interceptions at the college level, seven coming just last season. He could be a great fit for what the Steelers ask of their cornerbacks, especially if Cory Trice Jr. continues to struggle with staying healthy. Williams has plenty of experience and the skill set to play press man coverage and the deep third in Cover 3. His technique in press man needs work, but he's not weak at either man or zone coverage. He'd be a great find in the fourth round, though he very well could be gone by the time this Steelers pick here.
Other options: Jaydon Blue, RB, Texas; Damien Martinez, RB, Miami (FL); Tory Horton, WR, Colorado State; Zy Alexander, CB, LSU
FIFTH ROUND, NO. 163:
QUINN EWERS, QB, TEXAS
While it's not the strongest quarterback class, it wouldn't completely surprise me if the Steelers took a chance on one of these guys.
Ewers had a formal meeting with the Steelers, and from what I heard, the meeting went very well. He's got some great tools, including some very good arm talent to make throws to any portion of the field. The problem is he doesn't read defenses quickly enough, whether it be pre- or post-snap, and lacks the escapability to help thwart NFL blitzes. Thus, he really feels like a Day 3 guy for me that can develop into a decent starter down the road. If he figures out how to better read the game, he can develop into something really special. The arm talent is there. But, that's a big risk.
Other options: Kyle McCord, QB, Syracuse; Upton Stout, DB, Western Kentucky; Kyle Monangai, RB, Rutgers; Jackson Hawes, TE, Georgia Tech
SEVENTH ROUND, NO. 225 (via New Orleans):
LOGAN BROWN, OT, KANSAS
At some point, I expect the Steelers to address offensive line, though they don't have an immediate need there right now. They need to let this young line develop. But, it wouldn't hurt to add another youngster to the mix.
Browns is well-versed in blocking in outside zone/wide zone schemes. That's what Kansas runs. He's got great size and length, but he needs a good amount of coaching to clean up his technique, especially in pass protection. Even so, he could start off as a swing tackle and develop into a starter down the road. This would be a solid pick.
Other options: Max Brosmer, QB, Minnesota; Malachi Moore, S, Alabama; Cam'Ron Jackson, DT, Florida; Hollin Pierce, OT, Rutgers
SEVENTH ROUND, NO. 231 (via Atlanta):
CJ DIPPRE, TE, ALABAMA
The only two locks at tight end are Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington. Thus, why not a home-run swing for a tight end in the seventh round?
Dippre is a pass-catching tight end that has ideal size at 6-5, 256 pounds. He battles hard in contested catches and does a great job of finding open space when the quarterback improvises. He also took on the responsibility of being a moving lead-blocker with the Crimson Tide, but he needs to desperately work on his physicality, technique and finish. He doesn't stand out in either phase of the game, but he has enough tools to eventually develop into something more than a special-teamer.
Other options: Samuel Brown, WR, Florida; Ty Robinson, DT, Nebraska; Dylan Fairchild, G, Georgia; Fentrell Cypress III, CB, Florida State
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