Hey, look! We traded the best receiver in the NFL for a 3rd and 5th-round pick. It sucks, but it really was all we could get. Here's a 7-round mock draft with our 10 (!) picks:
Round 1: Byron Murphy (CB) - This pick has been and continues to be perfect. Murphy can step in immediately as the No. 2 CB and eventually take the No. 1 job as Joe Haden ages. The Washington product is only 5’11” and 190 lbs, which is smaller for a CB, but he plays like he is 6’5” and 245 lbs. He’s physical and aggressive, and much more of a willing tackler than the other first round CB prospect, Greedy Williams. His combine performance was slightly underwhelming, but, if anything, it could serve as the perfect deterrent to drop Murphy to 20th overall.
Round 2: Blake Cashman (ILB) - Cashman is the new hot name at the linebacker position this year, and for good reason. He’s fast, smart and effective against the pass and the run. Cashman is also the only viable 2nd-round prospect at inside linebacker. Devin White and Devin Bush will be gone in the first, and prospects like Terrill Hanks and Ben Burr-Kirven make more sense on Day 3.
Round 3: Antoine Wesley (WR) - Ben Roethlisberger has always wanted bigger relievers. Antonio Brown was beyond special, but never possessed the size Ben desired. Antoine Wesley is 6’5” and 200 lbs and pairs that with a level of quickness and agility that is impressive for his size.
Round 3: Christian Miller (EDGE) - The Steelers have invested $9 million in Bud Dupree. At this point, that looks like a waste. Dupree could definitely break out and have a solid year, but in the past, our hope for him as been misplaced. Miller could be the perfect backup-turns-starter for the Steelers. He’s long, quick, and can move well enough to drop back in to coverage in the Steelers 3-4 scheme. He’s a 2nd-round prospect who can fall into the 3rd due to concerns with his injury history and lack of significant college production.
Round 4: Jonathan Abram (S) - The secondary needs depth. The Steelers have been playing a significant amount of nickel recently, and Abram could help out there. He’s probably the hardest hitter in the draft class, so we should just be happy if the Bengals don’t grab him.
Round 5: Jalen Hurd (WR) - Do the Steelers have enough slot receivers? JuJu Smith-Schuster, Eli Rogers, and Ryan Switzer are all slot specialists. Jalen Hurd is an outside receiver, but (yeah you guessed it) he can play in the slot as well. The truth is, there is no such thing as enough slot receivers, especially when they can play inside and out. Hurd is huge at 6’4”, 229 lbs and I’m willing to bet Ben would love him as well.
Round 6: John Bareon II (K) - Baron is one of the best kickers in the draft, and he specializes in the long-range kicks. He was a perfect 5-5 from the 50+ range and even hit a 54-yarder last year.
Round 6: Isaac Nauta (TE) - Nauta in the 6th?!?! Yup. You can’t run a 4.91 at TE and have lower production in college (which Nauta did) and expect to go early. He’s not a phenomenal blocker, so he can’t advertise himself as that either. Thus, he falls to the 6th. The Steelers need a No. 2 TE with Jesse James on his way out, and while I like Xavier Grimble, he’s better suited as a No. 3. He can come on to block (which he has gotten much better at) while Nauta develops. It’s likely Nauta plummets in the draft, but he is still a steal in the 6th.
Round 6: Keaton Sutherland (OT) - Will Marcus Gilbert gone, the Steelers could use a little more depth on the offensive line. Ramon Foster, Maurkice Pouncey, and, B.J. Finney have all been extended, so it might make more sense to take an OT rather than an IOL.
Round 7: Wes Hills (RB) - I have had Wes Hills in my mock for quite a while now. He’s a large back who can immediately take Stevan Ridley’s roster spot and bring just a little more juice to the Steelers backfield. He was impressive at Slippery Rock, but also at the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, where he won MVP after he ran for 78 yards and a TD in low-scoring game.
UDFA targets:
CB Blace Brown
WR Felton Davis II
TE Kahale Warring
TE Marvin Saunders
EDGE Andrew Van Ginkel
QB Brad Mayes
QB Jacob Bohelaga
P Jack Fox
P Mitch Wishnowksy
P Corey Fatony
