Mock Draft 2.0: Steelers banking on speed, athleticism at cornerback

With the NFL Scouting Combine wrapped up, a big portion of the draft evaluation process is behind us.

Of course, there's still much more to do with pro days scattered over the next few weeks. However, a week in Indianapolis taught us more about these prospects, and, more important, what the Steelers are looking for in terms of positional priority and specific traits at the cornerback position.

Andy Weidl's big board isn't built just yet, so the Steelers still have plenty of planning to do. And, of course, the legal tampering period for free agency begins in exactly one week, and what the Steelers do there will impact the strategy in the draft. Even so, the Senior Bowl and Combine have given us a better indication of how things may shake out at the end of April.

Footnote before we get going: Compensatory picks will be added in the next couple weeks, so exact positions beyond the third round are not yet finalized. For a quick refresher, here's my Mock Draft 1.0.

Now, here's my most recent, based off what I learned at the Combine:

FIRST ROUND, NO. 17:
DEONTE BANKS, CB, MARYLAND

Last time around, I had Joey Porter Jr. being taken as the Steelers' first-round pick, and I'm sticking at cornerback with this selection. However, the past few weeks -- especially what I learned in Indianapolis -- have really led me to believe the Steelers and Porter Jr. aren't an ideal fit.

As I reported from Indianapolis, the Steelers are primarily looking for cornerbacks that have good game speed and can run with receivers. One way it was described to me: They want someone who can really do more from the neck down. Another way it was described: "Can he run?"

Banks was arguably the most explosive athlete at the Combine, tying for third among all defensive backs with a 4.35 40-yard dash and also led cornerbacks with a 42-inch vertical jump. He's six feet tall and weighs 197 pounds, so he's a decent size, and his arms are over 31 inches long, so he checks that box as well. On top of his athleticism, Banks plays strong and his physical presence aids in both coverage and shedding blocks to make tackles.

Regarding everything from the neck up, I can point to the countless times Mike Tomlin has talked about how much he and his coaches love to coach. Banks certainly needs some work in terms of technique and anticipation, but that's the part that Tomlin and Grady Brown will not shy away from. In fact, they'll embrace it. And, Tomlin already has a history with Banks as he was once teammates at Maryland with his son, Dino Tomlin, before transferring to Boston College.

The Steelers had a formal meeting with Banks, which isn't surprising at all since they formally met with virtually every top cornerback in the class. However, given the cornerbacks I currently anticipate being off the board -- Devon Witherspoon and Christian Gonzalez will be gone, and Porter Jr. may be off the board as well -- Banks fits right in at No. 17 without it being a reach. Even if Broderick Jones somehow falls to the Steelers at No. 17, I still believe they go cornerback here.

SECOND ROUND, NO. 32:
MAZI SMITH, DT, MICHIGAN

The Steelers want to beef up the trenches, and there's probably no better option at No. 32 than Smith, presuming he's available after the first night of the draft.

At 6-3 and 323 pounds, Smith is a large human being that can clog up the middle, but has surprising athleticism for a man his size. He's insanely strong, which was displayed through a whopping 34 reps on the bench press at the Combine.

Smith's size and strength gives him the ability to play traditional nose tackle in the Steelers' base 3-4 defense. However, he spent most of his time at Michigan lined up in the B-gap, which means he could be an option for Pittsburgh's subpackages that require only two down linemen.

The biggest concern with Smith is his future as a pass rusher. Playing traditional nose tackle will most definitely help when the Steelers are playing within their own division with how often Cleveland and Baltimore run the football. However, when Pittsburgh lines up against teams that spread the defense and attack through the air, how could Smith become more effective?

Either way, adding Smith improves the defensive front, with or without any additions in free agency. If the Steelers find a way to re-sign Larry Ogunjobi, a pick like this could make the defensive front much more formidable than it was a season ago.

SECOND ROUND, NO. 49:
CODY MAUCH, G/C, NORTH DAKOTA STATE

Mauch is a very likable guy, but he's also one of the best, if not the best athlete among offensive linemen in this class that are destined to play the interior.

While he was exclusively a tackle at North Dakota State, Mauch has been very open about NFL teams approaching him about playing at guard or center. Mauch worked out at guard and center at the Senior Bowl, and didn't look overwhelmed. Here's a refresher from Mobile, Ala., in which you can see Mauch's speed off the line from left guard as he chips one defender and draws a defensive holding call while accelerating to the second level:

The Steelers' running game relies mostly on inside zone scheme, and Mauch's athleticism and polished run blocking makes him a great fit. The big question with Mauch is how he develops in pass protection, and that's obviously a major concern as the Steelers want to keep Kenny Pickett upright as often as they can. Mauch's experience at tackle could make the transition to pass protection as a guard a bit easier.

Going the first two rounds without addressing offensive tackle isn't done by accident here. Based on some rumblings I heard at the figurative water cooler in Indianapolis, the Steelers may be more focused on addressing the interior of the line rather than tackle. In part, it could be a vote of confidence in Dan Moore, but it's most likely in preparation for the possibility of replacing Kevin Dotson, who is set to become an unrestricted free agent after the 2023 season.

THIRD ROUND, NO. 80:
CEDRIC TILLMAN, WR, TENNESSEE

Most years, the Steelers add a receiver somewhere in the middle rounds of the draft. So, based on precedent, I feel compelled to slot one in here somewhere.

Tillman didn't blow anyone away at the Combine (a 4.54 40-yard dash and 37-inch vertical jump), which could keep him a little bit under the radar, along with any lingering concerns about an ankle injury from last season. However, if the Steelers were fortunate enough to have him fall into their lap at 80th overall, and the medicals are all clear, this might be a no-brainer.

Tillman is 6-3 and 213 pounds, which is obviously great size for a receiver, and he uses it to his advantage. However, he's also capable of creating separation from cornerbacks in man coverage, which is a must at the NFL level.

The big question surrounding Tillman will be if he can prove to have that same kind of explosion on a consistent basis. The Combine is where teams figure out if players are worth drafting due to medical concerns. There was some concern among teams about that with George Pickens last year, which gave Pittsburgh the opportunity to take him in the second round when he was clearly a first-round talent.

Maybe something similar plays out here.

FOURTH ROUND:
IVAN PACE JR., LB, CINCINNATI

Pace had one of my favorite quotes from the Combine: "I just run through dudes' faces."

The Cincinnati product may be undersized at 5-10 and 231 pounds, and he may not be the fastest guy either. But, what Pace doesn't have in those areas, he makes up for in tenacity and drive.

Just watch:

There's definitely room for that on an NFL roster.

As long as the Steelers address inside linebacker in free agency, and the prevailing theory is they will, adding a player such as Pace in this stage of the draft is a good way to deepen the position. Pace plays with a high enough motor to be able to plug into a special teams role as a rookie, then can learn the nuances of how to become a more adequate, well-rounded linebacker over time.

SEVENTH ROUND:
DEMARCCO HELLAMS, S, ALABAMA

There's one pick I'm sticking with from my first Mock Draft. Safety isn't necessarily a need, but it's a position the Steelers can afford to add more depth.

Hellams certainly isn't the surefire first-round pick Brian Branch (his partner in crime at Alabama) will be on Day 1 of the draft. However, Hellams has the capability and skill set that can give the Steelers a potential replacement for Terrell Edmunds should he ever leave Pittsburgh. Not only is Hellams a true strong safety, he's a good blitzer and tackler. At 6-1, 213 pounds, he's got good size for the position, and he embracing physicality.

The largest area of concern with Hellams is in man coverage. But, there isn't any urgency to thrust him into a starting role right away. He can learn as an inactive player as Mark Robinson did a season ago, or possibly contribute on special teams as a rookie.

SEVENTH ROUND:
BRENTON STRANGE, TE, PENN STATE

The Steelers could draft a tight end earlier. It's not a position of need, but if Zach Gentry signs elsewhere in free agency, the draft could be a great place to add depth behind Pat Freiermuth and Connor Heyward. This is a great class for tight ends, meaning teams could find a legitimate contributor in the later rounds.

Strange caught 32 passes for 362 yards and five touchdowns in 2022, but his athleticism, versatility and blocking ability makes him an intriguing option in the latter stages of the draft. He'd be able to contribute as a third tight end almost immediately, which would give Heyward a bigger role in the offense.

It's more than possible Strange is gone before the Steelers make this pick in the seventh round. Remember, this is a deep tight end class. There are at least 10 tight ends that could be ranked ahead of Strange, maybe more. And, not every team will select a tight end, and there probably won't be any teams that take more than one.

Plus, it'd be really cool to hear the stories about basketball games between Strange and Freiermuth after the two Penn State alums have reunited.