Both Mike Tomlin and Kevin Colbert stated last Sunday that the addition of Mitch Trubisky won't affect the team's plans to select a quarterback in the draft if the possibility arises and one they like is available.
Tomlin then took that a step further by telling Steelers.com reporter Missi Matthews that the team will "probably" select a quarterback in the draft.
But that doesn't mean it has to be in the first round.
And in my latest mock draft, the Steelers pass on taking a quarterback in the first round, only to move up in the second round to acquire a potential quarterback of the future.
They also fill needs at cornerback, safety and wide receiver, while adding developmental players at offensive tackle, outside linebacker and nose tackle.
All told, it's a pretty good haul.
The Steelers have set themselves up nicely with their offseason to allow the board to come to them. If they want to move up in the first round and acquire Liberty quarterback Malik Willis, they can do so. But in this scenario, Willis went ninth overall to the Seahawks. That price was too steep to pay.
Instead, the Steelers stick at 20 and get a very good player.
Here's how it all went down:
1. Jaguars, Aiden Hutchinson, Edge, Michigan
2. Lions, Kayvon Thibodeaux, Edge, Oregon
3. Texans, Ikem Ekwonu, OT, N.C. State
4. Jets, Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
5. Giants, Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame
6. Panthers, Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
7. Giants, Travon Walker, Edge, Georgia
8. Falcons, Derek Stingley, CB, LSU
9. Seahawks, Malik Willis, QB, Liberty
10. Jets, Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State
11. Commanders, Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State
12. Vikings, Drake London, WR, USC
13. Texans, Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa
14. Ravens, Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia
15. Eagles, Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
16. Eagles, Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
17. Chargers, Andrew Booth, CB, Clemson
18. Saints, Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
19. Eagles, Jermaine Johnson, Edge, Florida State
20. Steelers, Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington -- I couldn't believe the Chargers passed on McDuffie, my third-rated cornerback, to take Booth, who is good but doesn't have the experience of McDuffie, a starter in all three of his seasons at Washington. The Eagles also passing on a corner surprised me, but I'll take the gift. McDuffie is feisty, allowed 16 catches on 36 targets in 2021 and can start immediately in the slot. He just turned 21 in February, so his profile fits exactly what the Steelers traditionally look for in the first round.
21. Patriots, Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia
22. Packers, George Karlaftis, Edge, Purdue
23. Cardinals, David Ojabo, Edge, Michigan
24. Cowboys, Daxton Hill, S, Michigan
25. Bills, Devonte Wyatt, DT, Georgia
26. Titans, Zion Johnson, G-C, Boston College
27. Buccaneers, Kyler Gordon, CB, Washington
28. Packers, Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State
29. Chiefs, Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida
30. Chiefs, Boye Mafe, Edge, Minnesota
31. Bengals, Bernhard Raimann, OT, Central Michigan
32. Lions, Matt Corral, QB, Mississippi
Other Steelers Picks
Second Round, Pick 42: Desmond Ridder, QB, Cincinnati -- The Steelers send their 2022 second-round pick, 52nd overall, and next year's third, to move up to 42 and select Ridder. Ridder has grown on me throughout this draft process. He's a natural leader with a good head on his shoulders and has the athleticism Tomlin is looking for at the position.
Third Round, Pick 84: Alec Pierce, WR, Cincinnati -- Yep, another Bearcats player. While researching Ridder, you can't help but see Pierce jump off the tape, as well. He's ridiculously athletic and was highly productive. He initially went to Cincinnati as a linebacker, switching to wide receiver after his freshman season -- when he recorded six special-teams tackles. Here's your replacement for JuJu Smith-Schuster, a 6-foot-3, 211-pound former linebacker who runs a 4.41-second 40-yard dash.
Fourth Round, Pick 138: JT Woods, S, Baylor -- Woods had nine interceptions the past two seasons, ran a 4.36-second 40 at the NFL Scouting Combine while also posting a 39.5-inch vertical jump. He needs to work on his angles as a tackler, but the Steelers can develop that. He projects as a future starter at strong safety.
Round 6, Pick 208: Spencer Burford, OT, UTSA -- I see a little bit of former Steelers tackle Kelvin Beachum in Burford's game. Though he's only 6-foot-4, he's got nearly 35-inch arms. A former four-star recruit, he's lined up at both guard and tackle in his career. But he's got the feet and length to play tackle in the NFL despite being a little on the short side. A nice developmental tackle.
Round 7, Pick 225: Marquan McCall, NT, Kentucky -- McCall is a big man at 6-foot-3, 342 pounds. And he's a load to move in the run game. He hasn't shown much as a pass rusher, but we're looking at a developmental nose tackle in the seventh round. So, the expectations have to be tempered.
Round 7, Pick 241: Ali Fayad, Edge, Western Michigan -- At 6-foot-2, 250 pounds, Fayad isn't going to draw the interest of many teams. But we know the Steelers love these undersized, productive defensive ends from the MAC. Fayad had 28.5 career sacks at Western Michigan, including 12 in 2021. He also had 53 career tackles for a loss. He lives behind the line of scrimmage.
