A year after finding their quarterback in the first round of the NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers would like to find someone to protect Kenny Pickett’s blind side.
Of course, they’d also like to get an all-purpose cornerback to seal the secondary and a defensive end to eventually replace Cameron Heyward.
All three scenarios are possible for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Trouble is, they can accomplish only one of those objectives in the first round — barring a trade.
With the right dominoes falling in their favor, the Steelers can take advantage of a deep draft class to get starters beyond the first round. If they can add the necessary pieces in the first three rounds, it will be viewed years later as a successful draft.
Holding the No. 17 overall pick, the Steelers won’t get a crack at the top two cornerbacks in the group — Oregon’s Christian Gonzalez and Illinois’ Devon Witherspoon — unless they move up. For the purposes of this mock, we’re basing our decisions on the Steelers standing pat.
All of which means it’s more likely the Steelers take a left tackle with their first-round pick. Ohio State’s Paris Johnson probably will be gone before No. 17. Tennessee’s Darnell Wright makes more sense on the right side.
Related
• Chris Adamski’s Steelers mock draft: Don’t overthink this, stick with Joey Porter Jr.
• Tim Benz: In quantity vs. quality draft debate, Steelers should try to move up
• AP mock draft: Panthers take Alabama’s Bryce Young No. 1; Steelers take Ohio State tackle
Which brings the Steelers to the anchor of the left side of the offensive line for the national champion Georgia Bulldogs …
1. (No. 17) Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia
Can’t help but think about all the analysts saying this class is deeper at corner than tackle, which should permit the Steelers to wait to address the secondary. The 6-foot-5, 311-pound Jones had only one full-time year starting at left tackle at Georgia, so he may take some time to develop, which could mean another year of Dan Moore at LT.
2. (No. 32) Bryan Bresee, DE, Clemson
It may be a reach to think Bresee is still available to open the second round. If he is, the Steelers should grab a defensive lineman who shows promise despite missing time with injuries at Clemson.
2. (No. 49) Tyrique Stevenson, CB, Miami
Finally, a cornerback for the Steelers. The Georgia transfer led the Hurricanes with seven pass breakups last season and he offers the size (6-foot, 198 pounds) and speed (4.45 in the 40) requisite for the position.
3. (No. 80) Nick Herbig, OLB, Wisconsin
Newly signed Steelers guard Nate Herbig gets his wish, and the Steelers add his younger brother. Why not? The Steelers had success with another younger brother from the school, T.J. Watt. Herbig totaled 15.5 tackles for loss and 11 sacks last season for the Badgers.
4. (No. 120) Anthony Johnson Jr. S, Iowa State
That makes it four picks in a row for the defense and a developmental safety who converted from corner in college. He is 6-foot, 205 pounds and started 54 games for the Cyclones.
7. (No. 241) Jake Bobo, WR, UCLA
At 6-4, Bobo is a little tall for a slot receiver, but that could be where he lands in the NFL. He led UCLA in receiving with 817 yards and scored seven touchdowns a year after transferring from Duke, where he also was his school’s top pass-catching threat.
7. (No. 251) SirVocea Dennis, LB, Pitt
A two-time team-leading tackler at Pitt, Dennis always seems to be around the ball, which would make him valuable as a developmental linebacker. He was a first-team All-ACC pick in 2022 when he had 94 tackles, including 12 for loss and seven sacks.
