Pro Football Focus is putting out a series of seven-round mock drafts for all 32 NFL teams. We decided to take a look at the Steelers edition and while we see where they were going with the picks, there was so much more that could have been done with the choices.
Here’s how the picks broke down:
First round: CB Azareye’h Thomas – Florida State
We like Thomas as a prospect but not in the first round. There’s a real possibility he does sneak into the bottom of the round but there are far more pressing needs to address here.
Second round: WR Xavier Restrepo – Miami
We don’t see enough from Restrepo to differentiate him from Roman Wilson as a player. The Steelers need a dynamic guy for the outside but if they want a guy to line up in the slot, he needs to be a bigger body.
Third round: DE Rylie Mills – Notre Dame
Defensive tackle is one of the team’s two biggest needs but Mills is more of an outside guy in the Steelers 3-4 and they need someone who can consistently line up inside and clog the middle against the run.
Fourth round: QB Will Howard – Ohio State
Howard in the fourth round is a great value pick here. If the Steelers re-sign Justin Fields, Howard is in a great spot to learn behind him.
Fifth round: RB Kalel Mullings – Michigan
Mullings is a plodding power back and while this is what the Steelers run game has been, it’s not where this run game needs to go in the future.
Seventh round: WR Efton Chism III – Eastern Washington
Chism is an interesting guy but if you spend a second on Restrepo, what are you going to do with Chism?
Seventh round: IOL Luke Newman – Michigan State
Solid interior player who would make for some nice depth if James Daniels leaves.
I know this sounds like none of the picks are good but that’s not true at all. This would be a well-received draft. And many of these players are very talented.
However, this draft has to be a home run. Starters, franchise guys and players who will be great which this draft is lacking at several positions.
