Now that all the free agency dust has mostly settled, it\u2019s time to dive into my first mock draft of the year. The Steelers did a good job filling some holes in free agency, which gives them a lot of flexibility heading into the draft. There are a number of ways the Steelers can attack the draft, and this mock will be what I think the team might do, not what I would do.<\/p>\n
With that said, I will be drafting for all 12 picks. While I don\u2019t think the Steelers will use all 12 picks, I don\u2019t want to get too deep into trade scenarios with this initial mock draft.<\/p>\n
Without further ado, here\u2019s my first mock of draft season.<\/p>\n
Round 1 \u2013 Pick 21: CJ ALLEN\/LB\/GEORGIA<\/p>\n
Patrick Queen has one year left on his deal, and Payton Wilson didn\u2019t take the year two jump many expected. One position the Steelers didn\u2019t address in free agency was off-ball linebacker, and they find their future at the position with Allen. He was a leader and defensive play-caller at Georgia and is still young, having just turned 21. He\u2019s a reliable run defender who is at his best when he\u2019s getting downhill.<\/p>\n
The Steelers also had Omar Khan and Mike McCarthy at Georgia\u2019s Pro Day, the only Pro Day that both have attended this cycle. Allen has the traits to be the future in the middle for the Steelers.<\/p>\n
Others Considered: OG Vega Ioane, S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, WR Denzel Boston<\/p>\n
CJ Allen Scouting Report<\/a><\/p>\n Round 2 \u2013 Pick 53: GERMIE BERNARD\/WR\/ALABAMA<\/p>\n Bernard has a pre-draft visit coming up with the Steelers, who also held a formal meeting with him at the NFL Combine. Bernard is a physical receiver and a strong route-runner and could fit in well with Pittsburgh\u2019s receiving corps. He\u2019s a potential option to play in the slot and someone who could make a Day 1 impact and be a reliable weapon for years to come.<\/p>\n Others Considered: CB Treydan Stukes, DL Dominique Orange, OG Emmanuel Pregnon<\/p>\n Germie Bernard Scouting Report<\/a><\/p>\n Round 3 \u2013 Pick 76: JALEN FARMER\/OG\/KENTUCKY<\/p>\n Farmer has been a riser throughout this draft process. He was a standout at the NFL Combine and has ideal athleticism for the position. The Steelers brought in Brock Hoffman this offseason and also still have Spencer Anderson on the roster, so there wouldn\u2019t be a rush for Farmer to start. Ideally, he sits for a year and develops under James Campen to become a future starter. There\u2019s a lot of upside due to his athletic traits and strength.<\/p>\n Others Considered: S Kamari Ramsey, DL Darrell Jackson Jr., S Genesis Smith<\/p>\n Jalen Farmer Scouting Report<\/a><\/p>\n Round 3 \u2013 Pick 85: MARKEL BELL\/OT\/MIAMI<\/p>\n The Steelers don\u2019t need a Day 1 starter at offensive tackle. But they do need to add to the room. Dylan Cook looked good when thrust into action at the end of the season, and he\u2019ll likely compete with Broderick Jones for the starting left tackle job. There are still some questions about whether Jones will be ready to go for training camp, and adding a developmental tackle in Bell makes a lot of sense.<\/p>\n He came in for a pre-draft visit with the Steelers, and while he\u2019s raw, he\u2019s a massive human with impressive power. A good flier to take to potentially become the left tackle of the future. Jones will likely have his fifth-year option declined, and Cook is on the last year of his deal.<\/p>\n Others Considered: CB Daylen Everette, QB Garrett Nussmeier, DL Rayshaun Benny<\/p>\n Markel Bell Scouting Report<\/a><\/p>\n Round 3 \u2013 Pick 99: ZAKEE WHEATLEY\/S\/PENN STATE<\/p>\n Jaquan Brisker and DeShon Elliott are on expiring contracts, and Wheatley should be the best safety left on the board. He has great size and speed and has a high football IQ. In addition, he projects to be a valuable special teamer. He\u2019ll have immediate value on special teams as he provides depth at safety and eventually can take over in a bigger role.<\/p>\n Others Considered: TE Michael Trigg, QB Carson Beck, WR Malachi Fields<\/p>\n Zakee Wheatley Scouting Report<\/a><\/p>\n Round 4 \u2013 Pick 121: COLE PAYTON\/QB\/NORTH DAKOTA STATE<\/p>\n The Steelers have a lot of interest in Payton, an athletic but raw quarterback. If the team doesn\u2019t have an answer from Aaron Rodgers by the draft, an assumption I\u2019m making for this mock draft, adding a mid-round quarterback becomes much more likely. Given the work the Steelers have done on Payton, I can see him being the selection.<\/p>\n Others Considered: WR Ja\u2019Kobi Lane, CB Tacario Davis, DL Tim Keenan III<\/p>\n Cole Payton Scouting Report<\/a><\/p>\n Round 4 \u2013 Pick 135: EPHESIANS PRYSOCK\/CB\/WASHINGTON<\/p>\n Prysock is a long, athletic cornerback who is a willing tackler. He\u2019s raw, but the Steelers don\u2019t have an immediate hole at cornerback to fill. He\u2019s another player who could work on special teams as a rookie and ease his way into a bigger role. The Steelers also hosted him for a pre-draft visit<\/p>\n Others Considered: DL DeMonte Capeheart, TE Dallen Bentley, WR Kevin Coleman Jr.<\/p>\n Ephesians Prysock Scouting Report<\/a><\/p>\n Round 5 \u2013 Pick 161: JAMES THOMPSON JR\/DL\/ILLINOIS<\/p>\n Maybe a touch early for Thompson, but with a long wait until Pittsburgh\u2019s sixth-round pick, they grab a big-bodied defensive lineman. Thompson was also a pre-draft visitor and is a strong run defender who can play up and down the defensive line. Even after signing Sebastian Joseph-Day, the defensive line room needs more depth, and Thompson fits what the Steelers look for in the position.<\/p>\n Others Considered:\u00a0TE Eli Raridon, WR Jeff Caldwell, RB Demond Claiborne<\/p>\n