Believe it or not, we’re entering mock draft season.

We’re at the point in the year where we have a fairly good idea of whether teams are good or bad. With that, we can begin guessing what positions teams will be targeting in the upcoming draft as the holes in units become clear. In regards to the Steelers, you don’t have to be a hardcore fan to see the areas this team needs improvement.

It’s also important to remember that mock drafts are just for fun at this point in the year and predictions will be vastly different come spring. No need to get up in arms yet about who is mocked to the Steelers.

All that said, lets’s take a look at some of the players being mocked to the Steelers thus far…

Matt Miller, Bleacher Report

The Pick: Edge-rusher Takkarist McKinley, UCLA

One of the biggest risers in the 2017 draft class, UCLA defensive end Takkarist McKinley is a smooth projection as a 3-4 outside linebacker in the NFL. The Pittsburgh Steelers are likely to lose Jarvis Jones in free agency, and they could get both a replacement and an upgrade in one pick.

McKinley is a natural fit in the 3-4 defense thanks to his experience as a college defensive end. He knows how to win with his hands and play with power but also has enough agility to dip and sprint in space to beat offensive tackles from a stand-up position.

It was tempting to give Pittsburgh a cornerback or safety in this spot, but McKinley was too good to pass up.

I’m definitely behind this pick. The Steelers pass rush has been poor this season and clearly the biggest hole on this defense. Additionally, both Jarvis Jones and  James Harrison are expected to be gone next year, leaving a gaping hole at the position. The team may be able to use Arthur Moats or Anthony Chickillo as temporary fill-ins, but that’s like plugging a hole with duct tape. The Steelers need a legitimate starter opposite of Bud Dupree and I anticipate the position being a top priority in the 2017 draft.

Round 2: Tre’Davious White, Cornerback, LSU

Round 3: Marcus Maye, Safety, Florida

Miller’s picks for rounds two and three are questionable.  Going into 2017 I’m assuming the depth chart will consist of: William Gay, Artie Burns, Ross Cockrell, Senquez Golson, and Justin Gilbert. The Steelers actually have a surprising amount of young talent at cornerback and a high draft pick in 2017 likely wouldn’t get playing time. I think the Steelers can afford to wait until 2018 to invest in a high pick into a cornerback.

The safety pick I disagree with entirely. The Steelers are set at safety with Mike Mitchell, Robert Golden, and Sean Davis all under contract for the next few years. Jordan Dangerfield even played well when he was called upon to start at safety. I don’t anticipate the Steelers designating the safety position as a high priority in the 2017 draft.

Luke Easterling, USA Today Draftwire

21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Raekwon McMillan, LB, Ohio State

Despite their propensity for spending first-rounders on linebackers (three years in a row until 2016), the Steelers still need more talent across the entire unit. Lawrence Timmons will be 31 next season, and McMillan is the kind of athletic, physical presence who would fit perfectly on the inside next to fellow Buckeye alum Ryan Shazier

I’m not sure exactly how I’d feel about this pick. On one hand, having two athletic linebackers has a lot of advantages and would add more versatility to this defense. On the other hand, the Steelers gave Vince Williams a new contract this past offseason and he appears primed to take over for Lawrence Timmons next year. Another angle to view this pick is it could mark a transition to more of a 4-3 defense for the Steelers. Overall I would rather have an edge rusher in the first round, but this pick wouldn’t upset me.

Round 2: Samaje Perine, Running Back, Oklahoma

Round 3: Budda Baker, Safety, Washington

These picks upset me. If the Steelers let Le’Veon Bell walk in free agency then drafting a new running back makes sense, but I don’t think they let him go. Because this is likely DeAngelo Williams‘ last year in Pittsburgh, I don’t oppose the Steelers investing in a mid-round running back. A second round pick however seems way too pricey assuming Bell is likely to continue his role as the work-horse.

This mock also has the Steelers taking a safety in the third round, and I disagree for the same reasons. No need to repeat myself!