With the Pittsburgh spectacle only a few weeks away, the hype train continues to build. Championships are won through the draft, and soon we’ll see who the newest Steelers will be. That said, this is just one of many possible scenarios and does not reflect what I expect to happen once the actual picks are made.
Round 1 (21st Overall): Omar Cooper Jr./WR/Indiana
Expected Role: Year 1 Starter
Analysis: After trading for Michael Pittman, the perimeter threats in this offense are solidified. They still lack a true playmaker who can own the middle of the field and make life easier on their top targets. Cooper Jr. is one of my draft crushes, and despite elite production and top-tier athleticism, he still feels undervalued.
As a route runner, he handled a wide range of assignments throughout his career. Early on, he worked as a nuanced flanker who won underneath with suddenness on in-breakers and out-breakers. As he gained experience, his role shifted to a more vertical, slot-heavy usage. His athleticism is more than enough for him to become a lethal separator on the inside.
His defining trait is a toss-up between his dominance at the catch point and his effort after the catch. Attacking the ball in the air comes naturally to him. He rarely drops anything and can finish even the most difficult, high-effort attempts. His leaping ability and concentration allow him to consistently win 50/50 balls.
With the ball in his hands, he’s a nightmare for defenses. Statistically, he ranked among the most dangerous post-catch creators, adding nearly 500 yards to his total and forcing 27 missed tackles. His contact balance is outstanding, and he has an innate feel for finding daylight in traffic.
Cooper is arguably the draft’s biggest riser, and he’s earned that status. He’s a true jack-of-all-trades who has performed at a high level for multiple seasons, with the athleticism to back it up. Adding him to this offense would give them a nasty top trio.
Others Considered: Caleb Lomu/OT/Utah, Kadyn Proctor/OG/Alabama, Kenyon Sadiq/TE/Oregon, Jordyn Tyson/WR/Arizona State
Omar Cooper Jr. Scouting Report
Round 2 (53rd Overall): Emmanuel Pregnon/OG/Oregon
Expected Role: Year 1 Starter
Analysis: After signing Brock Hoffman, the Steelers shouldn’t feel pressured to spend an early pick on the interior unless a talent like Pregnon falls into their lap. One of college’s top offensive linemen last season, he’s rock-solid in both pass protection and run blocking. Adding a player of his caliber would lock down the interior offensive line for years to come.
He pass-protects like a heavyweight fighter. With 11-inch hands and nearly 34-inch arms, he stuns defenders with a heavy initial punch, quickly locking them out. Once he gets his hands inside, he clamps down with a vise-like grip that makes shedding blocks a chore.
Pregnon plays with real nastiness in the run game. He consistently imposes his will, generating powerful leg drive and using his massive frame to displace defenders. He routinely resets the line of scrimmage by firing out of his stance and initiating contact on down blocks.
While taking an interior lineman this early isn’t a pressing need, Pregnon is too talented to pass up if he’s on the board.
Others Considered: Anthony Hill Jr./LB/Texas, Lee Hunter/IDL/Texas Tech, Christen Miller/IDL/Georgia, A.J. Haulcy/S/LSU
Emmanuel Pregnon Scouting Report
Round 3 (76th Overall): Josiah Trotter/LB/Missouri
Expected Role: Rotational Depth/Potential Year 1 Starter
Analysis: With the linebacking corps failing to live up to expectations, this hole is more gaping than it appears. The run defense struggled for much of last season, and there were too many breakdowns in coverage. Adding a talent like Trotter would inject much-needed competition into a room that currently lacks depth.
Trotter has always understood how to play on the interior, as he’s the son of Eagles Hall of Famer Jeremiah Trotter. His confidence shows up in his play style: he often sets the tone of the defense with his violent physicality. He’s a downhill thumper with an explosive trigger who isn’t afraid to take on bigger linemen.
Coverage will be his biggest hurdle as he makes the jump to the NFL. His primary issues show up when he’s isolated in space. He’s a bit high-cut, which limits his change-of-direction fluidity. In zone, he can get caught staring into the backfield, allowing routes to develop around him.
Early in his career, he’ll shine on early downs and in run defense. He’s a work in progress in coverage, but his youth (he’ll be just 21 during his rookie season) and athleticism give him plenty of room to grow.
Others Considered: Keith Abney II/CB/Arizona State, Treydan Stukes/S/Arizona, Domonique Orange/IDL/Iowa State, Kamari Ramsey/S/USC
Josiah Trotter Scouting Report
Round 3 (85th Overall): Davison Igbinosun/CB/Ohio State
Expected Role: Rotational Depth/Future Starter
Analysis: Despite the strong addition of Jamel Dean and the retention of Asante Samuel Jr., it would still be ideal for the team to add a developmental corner in the draft. Igbinosun offers a talent who can step in immediately in the event of injury, while still having the upside to grow into a long-term starter.
His game is built on physicality. He fits the modern prototype of a tall boundary corner, using his 33-inch arms to disrupt receivers early in their routes. In press coverage, he plays with heavy, powerful hands and excels at pinning receivers to the sideline.
Right now, his success largely hinges on landing initial contact. In off-coverage, or when a receiver avoids his jam, he can get stuck with static feet. He can struggle to mirror more agile route runners because he lacks top-tier twitch.
When he keeps the play in front of him, however, there’s real value. He reads the quarterback’s eyes well and sinks efficiently when working the flat. As the ball is in the air, he plays aggressively and disruptively at the catch point.
Igbinosun is still raw. But with proper development, he has the traits to become a long-term running mate for Joey Porter Jr.
Others Considered: Genesis Smith/S/Arizona, Darrell Jackson Jr./IDL/Florida State, Bryce Lance/WR/NDSU, Garrett Nussmeier/QB/LSU
Davison Igbinosun Scouting Report
Round 3 (99th Overall): Bud Clark/S/TCU
Expected Role: Rotational Depth/Future Starter
Analysis: The Steelers boosted the potential of the secondary by adding Jaquan Brisker and Darnell Savage, but it would be wise to invest for the future in this draft. Clark has flown under the radar despite strong career production and a standout showing at the Senior Bowl.
One of the premier ballhawks in this class, Clark tallied 15 interceptions and 20 pass breakups over his career. He has a true nose for football and plays with outstanding anticipation. He urgently triggers downhill and arrives with bad intentions against the run.
His versatility makes him especially intriguing. He has enough range to patrol the deep middle as a single-high safety, but he’s also comfortable in split-field looks and matching up with tight ends or slot receivers in man coverage.
His ultra-aggressive style is a double-edged sword. He makes a ton of plays, but he also leaves some on the field by trying to do too much at once.
Clark is a potential middle-round steal given his production and athletic profile. If he can harness his aggression and cut down on the recklessness, he has the tools to become an impact defender on the back end.
Others Considered: Zakee Wheatley/S/Penn State, Julian Neal/CB/Arkansas, Deion Burks/WR/Oklahoma, Jalon Kilgore/S/South Carolina
Round 4 (121st Overall): Drew Allar/QB/Penn State
Expected Role: Backup/Future Starter
Analysis: Until Aaron Rodgers is officially confirmed to be coming back, the Steelers’ plan at quarterback remains unsettled. As such, they’ve done their homework on this class and made it clear they’re targeting a prototypical AFC North quarterback. From a purely physical standpoint, Allar fits that mold perfectly.
Allar unquestionably has the most impressive arm in this draft. His passes jump out of his hand with effortless velocity and can reach every blade of grass on the field. He shows impressive upper-body flexibility, adjusting arm angles and firing lasers even when he isn’t fully set. On top of that, he brings a towering, classic pocket-passer frame that allows him to easily see and work the field.
But Allar has some red flags. His footwork is erratic at best. Too often, he fails to drive through his throws. Under pressure, he has a bad habit of drifting backward and throwing off his back foot, which tanks his accuracy and ball placement. Even routine “layups” can look difficult, signaling he needs a full mechanical reset from the ground up.
Physically, there’s nothing Allar can’t do, but something still hasn’t clicked. If quarterback development truly is McCarthy’s calling card, this is the kind of project he should be able to piece together to unlock Allar’s considerable upside.
Others Considered: Chris McClellan/IDL/Missouri, Zxavian Harris/IDL/Ole Miss, Tacario Davis/CB/Washington, Dontay Corleone/IDL/Cincinnati
Round 4 (135th Overall): De’Zhaun Stribling/WR/Ole Miss
Expected Role: Depth/Future Starter
Analysis: Taking Cooper in the first round shored up the slot, but the room still lacks developmental depth. Stribling is the type of athlete teams could be higher on than the media. At 6’2” and 207 pounds, he has ideal outside size and backed it up in Indianapolis, where he ran a 4.36 in the 40 with a 1.53 10-yard split.
Stribling is an underrated route runner who knows how to separate vertically and in the intermediate area. He understands pacing — when to accelerate, throttle down, or settle into soft spots against zone — and he can snap off routes cleanly to create separation against man. He’s more of a long-strider than a jitterbug, so he lacks the suddenness to consistently win underneath. But in the right scheme, he won’t be asked to live there.
His hands are generally reliable. With 10-inch mitts, he can pluck the ball out of the air and has enough body control to adjust to off-target throws. However, the metrics aren’t kind to his contested-catch work. Despite his size and athleticism, he struggles to consistently box out bigger, more physical corners at the top of the route.
Stribling will be a work in progress, but he offers a strong baseline paired with an elite trait. If he can round out the rest of his game, he can be a middle-round steal.
Others Considered: Kage Casey/OG/Boise State, Rayshaun Benny/IDL/Michigan, Zane Durant/IDL/Penn State, Drew Shelton/OT/Penn State
De’Zhaun Stribling Scouting Report
Round 5 (161st Overall): Tim Keenan III/IDL/Alabama
Expected Role: Rotational Depth/0-tech
Analysis: Cam Heyward’s return and Sebastian Joseph-Day’s addition ease the pressure to address the trenches early, but the team still needs a developmental nose tackle. Keenan fits the bill as an old-school, do-the-dirty-work interior presence.
He’s unlikely to become a consistent backfield disruptor, but his impact shows up in other ways. Keenan is a classic space-eater in the middle, with his value rooted in controlling the A-gaps and stonewalling rushing attacks. He has a thick lower half that rarely gives up ground and routinely absorbs double teams. He won’t light up the box score, but he makes life easier for teammates.
Keenan’s projection as a two-down space eater stems from his limited upside as a pass rusher. Right now, his arsenal is basically a bull rush that leans on his lower-body strength. Without a top-tier initial burst, he struggles to consistently collapse the pocket with pure power.
This pick comes with a very specific role in mind. He’s a traditional nose who can swallow space in the middle — exactly what this defense needs to free up its linebackers and other linemen to make the splash plays.
Others Considered: Diego Pounds/OT/Ole Miss, Taurean York/LB/Texas A&M, Nate Borekircher/TE/Texas A&M, Landon Robinson/IDL/Navy
Tim Keenan III Scouting Report
Round 6 (216th Overall): Matthew Hibner/TE/SMU
Expected Role: Sub-package Contributor/Special Teams Contributor
Analysis: The Steelers have lost more than they’ve added in the tight end room this offseason. Bringing in a talent like Hibner would give them a developmental piece who can contribute now. He brings true seam-stretching speed, showcased at the Combine with a 4.57 40-yard dash and 1.61 10-yard split.
Beyond his speed, his ball skills and body control stand out right away. With a 77-inch-plus wingspan and explosive leaping ability, his catch radius is massive. He’s a quarterback’s best friend, as he’s able to turn off-target throws into completions. His reliable hands hold up well in heavy traffic.
Hibner only had two seasons to display his route-running chops after primarily serving on special teams at Michigan. His straight-line speed makes him highly effective on deep-third routes, and the threat of his vertical presence naturally creates more cushion for him underneath. He still needs refinement due to limited exposure, but he can generate separation.
Despite acing the offseason process, his stock remains undervalued. If a talent like Hibner is on the board at this stage, it’s an easy call to add a dynamic playmaker to the tight end room.
Others Considered: Adam Randall/RB/Clemson, Aamil Wagner/OT/Notre Dame, Jakobe Thomas/S/Miami (FL), Tanner Koziol/TE/Houston
Matthew Hibner Scouting Report
Round 7 (224th Overall): Lorenzo Styles Jr./DB/Ohio State
Expected Role: Rotational Depth/Special Teams Contributor
Analysis: Although Lorenzo doesn’t have the same pre-draft buzz as his brother Sonny, his impressive Combine showing put him squarely on the radar. After a blazing 4.27 in the 40 — the fastest ever by an Ohio State player — teams and analysts rushed to his tape. Right now, he looks more like a premium athlete than a finished defensive back.
A big reason is his relative inexperience on defense. Before Ohio State, he began his career at Notre Dame as a wide receiver. That time on offense now benefits him on the back end. Working as a deep safety or in the flat, his elite speed allows him to close throwing windows. He diagnoses route concepts quickly and drives aggressively on intermediate throws.
His man coverage is far more raw at this stage. Despite his blazing straight-line speed, he plays with relatively stiff hips that limit his change of direction. In the slot, he can struggle to mirror sudden, twitchy receivers. He has trouble flipping his hips and running vertically, and can get caught with his feet stuck in the ground.
Styles is unlikely to see heavy defensive snaps right away, but that’s not the expectation late in the draft. At this point, you’re betting on rare traits — and his pure speed on the back end is exactly that.
Others Considered: Red Murdock/LB/Buffalo, Eric Rivers/WR/Georgia Tech, Robert Spears-Jennings/S/Oklahoma, Lander Barton/LB/Utah
Lorenzo Styles Jr. Scouting Report
Round 7 (230th Overall): Kaden Wetjen/WR/Iowa
Expected Role: Return Specialist
Analysis: Wetjen is one of my favorite players to mock to the Steelers in this draft. He has appeared in plenty of versions already, and I’ll keep pounding the table for him. Prospects with his blend of production and return ability are rare.
Viewing him strictly as a wide receiver sells his game short. Above all, he’s an elite, game-changing return specialist. He shows outstanding vision, constantly scanning pursuit angles and manipulating blocks. His explosiveness stems from his decisiveness — once he sees a crease, he hits it at full speed without hesitation.
His contact balance is superb as well. Even at 193 pounds, he’s well-proportioned and bounces off initial contact. He regularly runs through arm tackles and refuses to go down on the first hit.
It’s unlikely he’ll be a major factor at receiver, but his path to a roster spot is clear. The first player ever to win the Jet Award — given to the nation’s top return specialist — twice, Wetjen is a special-teams weapon the Steelers should plan to add in this draft.
Others Considered: Skyler Gill-Howard/IDL/Texas Tech, Aaron Anderson/WR/LSU, Cole Wisniewski/S/Texas Tech, Travis Burke/OT/Memphis
Round 7 (237th Overall): Carver Willis/OT/Washington
Expected Role: Depth/Swing Tackle
Analysis: The Steelers may select a developmental tackle earlier in the draft. But with positive news on Broderick Jones’ injury and Dylan Cook’s late-season surge, they don’t have to force it. Willis is a respectable option — a solid athlete who can play either tackle spot and has played center when needed.
Run blocking is his calling card. He brings a physical edge to the trenches and fires quickly from his stance. His feet are nimble and active, allowing him to latch on and drive defenders off their spots. For a player north of 300 pounds, he moves impressively well in space and excels at climbing to the second level.
Pass protection is where Willis needs the most work. With just over 32-inch arms, he’s likely to struggle on an island against NFL edge rushers. To compensate, he’ll overextend, throwing off his balance and exposing his chest.
While Willis probably won’t immediately push for a starting role, he offers valuable, multi-position depth across the offensive line. His run-blocking ability gives him a sturdy baseline to build on as he continues to develop.
Others Considered: Andre Fuller/CB/Toledo, Jordan van den Berg/IDL/Georgia Tech, Nolan Rucci/OT/Penn State, Toriano Pride/CB/Missouri
Previous Steelers Mock Draft Mondays
January 19
January 26
February 2
February 9
February 16
February 23
March 2
March 9
March 16
March 23