The first wave of free agency has come and gone, and the Steelers' roster surely looks different after five new additions and two re-signings.
Now, with a couple of positions overhauled and some changes at other positions of need, how might the Steelers go about further upgrading their roster in the draft?
In Mock Drafts 1.0 and 2.0, I went head first into a full seven-round mock for just the Steelers. This time, I'm changing the perspective. This time, I'm going to mock the entire first round. This way, we can see what options could be available for the Steelers with the 17th overall pick. And, we can also get a glimpse of what might be available with that precious first selection on Day 2 of the draft.
While the Steelers are consistently mocked to select a cornerback, there's a very real possibility the draft doesn't play out in a way that makes the selection at 17 a lock for just one position. There are other options that must be considered, especially when we factor in the depth at cornerback in this year's draft.
Remember, there are only 31 picks in the first round. The Dolphins surrendered their first-round selection as punishment for tampering violations.
1. CAROLINA PANTHERS (via Chicago)
BRYCE YOUNG, QB, ALABAMA
The Panthers didn't trade up to the first overall pick for no reason. Whether it's Young or not, Carolina will be looking for their franchise quarterback.
2. HOUSTON TEXANS
C.J. STROUD, QB, OHIO STATE
Most likely, the Texans will take whoever the Panthers don't between Young and Stroud. So, the choice here is simple.
3. ARIZONA CARDINALS
WILL ANDERSON JR., EDGE, ALABAMA
Trading down with a team looking for a quarterback is a real possibility here. But, if the Cardinals stand pat, drafting the best defensive player on the board -- at a position of need, no less -- is the logical way to go.
4. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
ANTHONY RICHARDSON, QB, FLORIDA
The Colts will be one of the teams wanting a quarterback. With Shane Steichen coming over from Philadelphia to become Indianapolis' head coach, it wouldn't be surprising to see the Colts draft Richardson, who has a similar skill set to Jalen Hurts.
5. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (via Denver)
JALEN CARTER, DT, GEORGIA
Regardless of the off-the-field issues or him being nine pounds overweight at Georgia's pro day, Carter isn't falling the way people think he will. Some talent evaluators believe he's the best football player in this draft. Seattle would be salivating at the thought of snagging him at fifth overall.
6. DETROIT LIONS (via L.A. Rams)
CHRISTIAN GONZALEZ, CB, OREGON
The Lions have certainly upgraded their secondary via free agency, notably adding Cam Sutton on a three-year, $33-million contract. However, the Lions could put their secondary over the top with the best cornerback in a very deep class.
7. LAS VEGAS RAIDERS
DEVON WITHERSPOON, CB, ILLINOIS
The Raiders took care of their 2023 quarterback situation by signing Jimmy Garoppolo. They still could entertain a quarterback here, but they've got other needs to address. As long as Witherspoon proves the hamstring injury isn't as issue, he'll be very attractive at this point in the draft.
8. ATLANTA FALCONS
TYREE WILSON, EDGE, TEXAS TECH
The Falcons need to upgrade their defense at multiple positions, especially at edge rusher and cornerback. In this case, with two cornerbacks off the board, I'm having the Falcons upgrade their pass rush.
9. CHICAGO BEARS (via Carolina)
PARIS JOHNSON JR., OT, OHIO STATE
Trade back, gain a lot in the process, including a new toy for the offense in D.J. Moore, then draft the best tackle in the draft to protect Justin Fields. This would be the coup de grâce for Chicago. They've killed it this offseason.
10. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (via New Orleans)
PETER SKORONSKI, OT/G, NORTHWESTERN
The Eagles have been picked apart in free agency. But, even with Andy Weidl now in Pittsburgh's front office, the Eagles still love addressing the trenches. Skoronski could play either tackle or guard at the NFL level. He'll fit in just fine on Philly's offensive line.
11. TENNESSEE TITANS
JAXON SMITH-NJIGBA, WR, OHIO STATE
The Titans addressed the offensive line in free agency, signing former Eagles tackle Andre Dillard. They need some playmakers on offense, and Smith-Njigba is perhaps the best receiver in this year's class. For those who don't know, he's the younger brother of Pirates outfielder Canaan Smith-Njigba.
12. HOUSTON TEXANS (via Cleveland)
LUKAS VAN NESS, EDGE, IOWA
The Texans got their quarterback. Now, it's time to address the defense. Van Ness is a versatile edge rusher and would automatically upgrade the Texans' defensive front.
13. NEW YORK JETS
BRODERICK JONES, OT, GEORGIA
Lots of skill on the outside in New York, both on offense and defense. And, if somehow they keep this pick if and when they trade for Aaron Rodgers, protecting his blindside would be a good start.
14. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
QUENTIN JOHNSTON, WR, TCU
There are a number of ways the Patriots could go here. Cornerback is a need. Offensive line is a need. But, giving Mac Jones a dangerous threat on the outside, along with the addition of JuJu Smith-Schuster in free agency, could be a move that makes the offense much, much more dynamic. When you're competing with Josh Allen for the division, getting all the firepower you can get isn't a bad strategy.
15. GREEN BAY PACKERS
DALTON KINCAID, TE, UTAH
The Packers have a lot of needs. This is really difficult to mock. Receiver, tight end, edge rusher, linebacker -- all of those are possibilities here. I'm going with the most dynamic player in a deep tight end class, who could become a nice security blanket for Jordan Love.
16. WASHINGTON COMMANDERS
JOEY PORTER JR., CB, PENN STATE
The defensive line is already great. One of the best in football. Now, it's time to upgrade cornerback. If this scenario played out, I'm sure there would be plenty of Steelers fans that throw a major fit.
17. PITTSBURGH STEELERS
BRYAN BRESEE, DT, CLEMSON
The Steelers could go a number of ways here. In this particular mock, the top three tackles and top three cornerbacks are off the board. If either of them fell to the Steelers, it's a pretty safe bet that they could snag one.
But, here are the options at 17:
• Defensive Line: Bresee would fit in wonderfully in the Steelers' defense, given his versatility to play multiple techniques. He's a 300-pound athlete that can move. I consistently heard comparisons to Cam Heyward while at the Combine. Who better to learn from than the man himself? Pitt's Calijah Kancey could be intriguing here as well, but Bresee's versatility and maturity make him a more attractive option here.
• Cornerback: Even with the top three off the board, the Steelers could draft a cornerback here. Deonte Banks is probably the most notable name here, given how much he fits into the mold of what the Steelers are looking for in a cornerback.
• Tackle: Same as cornerback, the Steelers could still address tackle here. Darnell Wright or Anton Harrison are intriguing options. However, it might be a bit of a reach at 17. If the Steelers are dead set on tackle in the first round -- and nothing I've heard suggests they are -- they could trade back and take one.
• Safety: In this particular mock, Brian Branch is still available, and he's the best safety in the class. Branch could possibly cover out of the slot and play in a similar role to what Terrell Edmunds did a season ago, but with more upside to take the ball away. But, is it worth a pick at 17?
• Receiver: Yes, Jordan Addison is still on the board in this mock. Yes, the idea of reuniting him and Pickett could be too difficult to pass up. But, I just can't go with a receiver here. There are too many other needs that need to be addressed.
I landed with Bresee as the option to go with here. The trio of him, Heyward and Larry Ogunjobi makes the defensive front potentially dominant, not to mention T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith on the edges.. But, as I laid out, there are a number of routes to take here.
18. DETROIT LIONS
WILL LEVIS, QB, KENTUCKY
Lions addressed the defense already. Now, with Levis falling this far, they can't pass up on the possibility of a future at quarterback. Levis may not end up falling this far, but reports out of what was a strong workout at the Combine haven't been favorable for his draft stock. Maybe that changes by April 27. Still quite a ways to go.
19. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
BIJAN ROBINSON, RB, TEXAS
Regardless of the notion that running backs shouldn't go in the first round, Robinson will most likely be a Day 1 selection. The Buccaneers could be a good fit with them being a team in transition.
20. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
JORDAN ADDISON, WR, USC
Seattle's already addressed the defensive line with Carter. Now, they add another dynamic weapon on offense. Addison joining DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett makes for a dangerous receiving corps.
21. LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
MICHAEL MAYER, TE, NOTRE DAME
Drafting Mayer gives Justin Herbert another weapon at his disposal. Teams need the firepower to compete in the AFC West. Some believe Mayer is the best tight end in the class. The Chargers would be lucky to have him at 21st overall.
22. BALTIMORE RAVENS
DEONTE BANKS, CB, MARYLAND
For anyone dreaming the Banks could fall to the Steelers at 32nd overall, dream on. It's not happening. Game speed is highly coveted among NFL teams when evaluating cornerbacks, and Banks is right up there with anyone in that regard. Plus, he's got good ball skills, and he's a Maryland kid. This pick just makes sense.
23. MINNESOTA VIKINGS
CAM SMITH, CB, SOUTH CAROLINA
The Vikings' secondary needs to vastly improve, and now Peterson is gone as he signed with the Steelers. Smith is arguably the best cornerback available at this point, and his ball skills could play very well in Brian Flores' defense.
24. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
BRIAN BRANCH, DB, ALABAMA
As mentioned in the breakdown at the Steelers' selection, Branch has versatility that could mesh in any defense. The Jaguars need to upgrade their secondary.
25. NEW YORK GIANTS
ZAY FLOWERS, WR, BOSTON COLLEGE
The Giants need more firepower through the air, and Flowers is a versatile, dangerous weapon that can play different types of roles. His speed and quickness is his calling card, and he could be very dangerous out of the slot, especially if ever matched up with a linebacker or safety.
26. DALLAS COWBOYS
NOLAN SMITH, EDGE, GEORGIA
Smith put up freak numbers at the Combine, running a 4.39-second 40-yard dash and recorded a 41.5-inch vertical and 10-foot-8 broad jump. At 6-2 and 238 pounds, Smith is undersized on the edge, but could play a bit off the ball. The trio of him, Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence could be very dangerous.
27. BUFFALO BILLS
O'CYRUS TORRENCE, G, FLORIDA
The Bills could use some reinforcements in the middle of their offensive line. Torrence is the top true guard in the draft class.
28. CINCINNATI BENGALS
DARNELL WASHINGTON, TE, GEORGIA
With Hayden Hurst signing with the Panthers in free agency, Joe Burrow needs a new tight end to throw to. Well, how about a 6-foot-7, 264-pound mammoth who ran a 4.64 40-yard dash? Washington is a freak athlete that could become a major problem at the next level.
29. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (via San Francisco, through Miami, Denver)
MYLES MURPHY, EDGE, CLEMSON
There's a real possibility that Murphy doesn't fall this far come April 27, but that's just how this mock went. He's a first-round pick either way, and the Saints need to beef up their defensive front.
30. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
CALIJAH KANCEY, DT, PITTSBURGH
Sticking with the Eagles' love for beefing up the trenches, they need to make up for the loss of Javon Hargrave. Kancey is very difficult to block and could grow into a productive player in Philadelphia's 4-3 front.
31. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
DARNELL WRIGHT, OT, TENNESSEE
Orlando Brown is now in Cincinnati, leaving tackle a bit of a need for the defending champions. Wright is still thought of as an early Day 2 selection by some, but there's a growing sense that he could wind up being a first-rounder.
WHAT ABOUT NO. 32?
If the draft were to fall this way, the Steelers have a number of ways they could go. Since Bresee addresses the defensive line, here are some options:
• Tackle: Anton Harrison and Dawand Jones stick out as the two most notable names here, though Harrison would better fit the left side and Jones would better fit the right side.
• Cornerback: I had five cornerbacks going in the first round, and there's a real possibility that more are actually selected. Kelee Ringo and Emmanuel Forbes are the most intriguing names in this particular mock, though both of them could be Day 1 selections. Other options include Tyrique Stephenson, Garrett Williams, Julius Brents and Eli Ricks.
• Linebacker: Omar Khan has overhauled off-ball linebacker in free agency, and this could be a good place to snag one. Now, this first-round mock didn't include any linebackers, and that just speaks to the lack of depth at the position. But, four options here include Trenton Simpson, Drew Sanders, Jack Campbell and Daiyan Henley. Adding any of these four with either second-round pick would cap off the linebacker overhaul with a wonderful touch.
• Anything else? ... The first selection of the second round is a prime opportunity to field a lot of phone calls and weight all options. Perhaps the Steelers are offered a deal that trades back a few spots to adds another selection in the middle rounds. Or, if they really wanted to be ballsy, they could go after a receiver or tight end that they really didn't think would survive the first round, adding some firepower to the offense. Remember, there are always players that fall. It happens every year. Yet, some of us still act surprised.
The Steelers are obviously in a great spot with three selections in the top 49 picks in this year's draft. They can add impactful players at all three spots, whether they directly address a need or not. Just add players that make the team better. That's what the draft is for.
