By Matt Papiernik, @Matt_Papiernik on Twitter
SteelerNation.com
With the 2020 NFL Draft looming closer day by day, I am going to be doing a quick mock draft every Monday just for the Pittsburgh Steelers, utilizing the mock draft tool at thedraftnetwork.com. This is the second in this series, and unfortunately, compensatory draft picks will not be included for a few more weeks as they tend to get released in late March/early April. With the Steelers expected to receive a 3rd round compensatory pick, that can make a rather large impact on their draft strategy. This is the first Monday Mock I am doing after the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, so lets get it started!
Last week with the Steelers first pick, I went with defense. This week, I changed strategies and helped bolster the offense by selecting Clyde Edwards-Helaire, a running back out of LSU. Edwards-Helaire has a very unique skill set, as he is just as deadly in the passing game as he is the running game. I think this is what the Steelers objective was when selecting Jaylen Samuels a couple years ago, but Edwards-Helaire is a more explosive player that can add to an offense that desperately needed big plays last season.
Albert Okwuegbunam helped his stock as much as anyone during the combine, as he posted one of the fastest 40-yard dash times of any tight end over the last 20 years. The Steelers have had an official visit with him at the combine as well, which means they already have their eye on him. He fills a need for them on offense as a potential big play weapon, especially with the Steelers needing to add to the tight end position this off-season.
Even if the Steelers keep Bud Dupree, they need to add depth behind him and TJ Watt, as none of the other OLB's on the roster have much production in their careers. In slides Jabari Zuniga out of Florida. Zuniga was hurt much of this past season, but he is a great athlete that plays his best when being told to attack the line of scrimmage. He will have time to learn and refine his technique, as he won't be asked to play significant defensive snaps early on.
The Steelers likely won't have the cap space to re-sign Javon Hargrave this off-season, which is unfortunate with how well he played. Benito Jones is a massive human being that is more than capable of taking up space in the middle of the Steelers defensive line in wake of Hargrave's departure, and has proven he is capable of getting after the QB as well when asked to.
Tanner Muse is someone else that should be on the Steelers radar as well, as he has many of the tools needed to contribute for them in a variety of areas. Muse is a large safety (6'2" 227lbs) that many thought would have to move to nickel linebacker in the NFL, mainly contributing on special teams. With him blazing to the tune of a 4.41 40-yard dash, he proved he has the speed to stick at safety if he can master the position. If not, he can be an ace special teamer with that size and speed, with the potential of developing into a sub-package linebacker, which is more than worth a 7th round selection.
Let us know what you think of Matt's Monday Mock Draft!
#SteelerNation
