Brian Roach’s Pittsburgh Steelers Mock Draft
If you didn’t have the time to listen to the podcast or watch it on YouTube (where I have become “The Host Who Doesn’t Like Toast”, and have no one but myself to blame) then you missed my last, full 7-round mock draft. Here is what I’d do:
Round 1, Pick 30: Takkarist McKinley – EDGE (UCLA)
In the first round, Mitch Trubisky was still on the board, and it was a surprise to me that we didn’t get any offers from teams that are QB-desperate trying to move up. If the right offer had come in, I might have taken it.
Instead, despite the shoulder injury, I took Takkarist McKinley.
The rational is he’s a guy the Steelers clearly seem to like, and he fits a need. If the right CB had fallen, that might have been the pick here (especially if it was someone like Gareondidn’t happen here.
Takk is the pick, and he’s a solid pick. I don’t think he will fall to us – frankly, I think Dallas will snap him up at 28 if he’s still there, but if he does fall to us then I am taking him. The fact that Takk played with the shoulder injury, that he did his combine drills with that injury shows the kind of guy he is. He never takes a play off – ever.
Yes, he may not be available for training camp, he may not be ready for September football – and it’s dangerous to take a guy who might not be available with the first pick – but the potential upside that this young man has, in my opinion, mitigates the risk. Plus, I may take another guy who can play right away in a few minutes.
Round 2, Pick 30: Derek Rivers – EDGE (Youngstown State)
I said this during the podcast, and I’ll say it again – it’s not going to happen this way, but again, the way that board fell, this was the best player available and how could I turn my back on the guy I’ve been championing this entire draft season?
I couldn’t, so I took Derek Rivers – which is a “YUGE” double dip at EDGE.
People are questioning Rivers’ value of late because he didn’t
He’s got work to do, but I am thrilled to be bringing this guy to the Steel City.
Round 3, Pick 30: Sidney Jones – CB (Washington)
Okay, I admit it, apparently, I have “hurt puppy” syndrome. Or minimally, I have some kind of penchant for injured top-level players who might fall.
Sidney Jones ruptured his Achilles at the Washington pro day. Yes, I am aware. If that didn’the’s a little slight, and he needs to add strength in his upper body.
But his upside is so crazy that I can overlook all that and take him here. Jones is already working those legs in the gym, so I’m
This young man can play – and I am looking forward to the combination of Artie Burns and Sidney Jones locking down our secondary for the foreseeable future.
Round 3, Pick 41: D’Onta Foreman – RB (Texas)
If the Steelers take a RB in the draft it probably spells the end for DeAngelo Williams. That’s almost everyone else) have been beating that to death in discussions.
Foreman is extremely athletic for a big guy, but the downside to that is that he sometimes tries to use finesse rather than his power. He could provide a really solidwon’t get any work on passing downs if he’s going to get Ben killed. Still, he’s a value pick in the 3rd at this point and fills a need.
Round 4, Pick 1: TRADE
The Browns offered us a trade of a future fifth rounder (which of course will be pretty high). I liked grabbing that extra pick next year, so I make the deal.
Round 5, Pick 1: Kenny Golladay – WR (Northern Illinois)
Golladay started his career at North Dakota, but when their head coach got fired, he moved back home to play for Northern Illinois. He was their all-time leading receiver after his three seasons there.
Golladay is big (6′ 4″, 218 lbs.) and even with that size ran a 4.5 40 at the Combine. He’s strong as well (18 reps on bench), with nice arm length (32″). Golladay will need to work on his route-running, but he’s got the King of route-running to learn from in Antonio Brown.
In the fifth round, Golladay could be the next “big thing” in Pittsburgh.
Round 5, Pick 29: Damontae Kazee – CB (San Diego State)
Kazee, due to his size (5’ 10”) will certainly be limited to slot duties. Despite his diminutive stature, he’s very capable and willing in run support, and his ball skills are upper level. I’m willing to take him here in the 5th and hope he is more Will Gay than Gerod Holliman.
Round 6, Pick 29: Michael Roberts – TE (Toledo)
At 6’ 4”, 270 lbs. and with 33” arms, Michael Roberts was on everyone’s radar for a hot minute. Early in the mock draft process people had him going as high as the second round. The problem is that Roberts really only has one season of real production on his resume. He’s inconsistent (and maybe sometimes less than willing) as a blocker, but I think that can be coached.
He’s got huge hands (11.5”) and solid body control. He may be a guy who needs some time, but the potential is there.
Round 7, Pick: 30: Samson Ebukam – OLB/EDGE (Eastern Washington)
If you don’t know about Samson by now, you should He was gracious enough to consent to an interview which we published last week. He is an explosive athlete, and if he had been invited to the Combine, based on his pro-day numbers, would have been amongst the elite.
Ebukam is praised for his intelligence and work ethic, which are two traits that can lead to potential success at the next level.
He does what he needs to do to get better. There is no doubt he needs time to develop, but while he is doing so, he will be a monster on special teams.
Remember where James Harrison played prior to getting his chance? If Ebukam lands in Pittsburgh at any point on day 3, I’ll be thrilled.
Conclusion
Let’s be frank. This isn’t the most logical mock draft, but it’s not the craziest either. Yes, I triple-dipped at EDGE (McKinley, Rivers, and Ebukam) and double dipped at CB (Jones and Kazee) but those are the primary areas of need, and along with adding depth at those positions we strengthened the RB group, the TE group, and the WR group.
Do I think this is how the draft will play out for the Steelers?
Nope – not at all.
But the simulation fell the way it fell and based on the board, available players and my own rules against instigating a trade back, this was a reasonable outcome. All that upside and an extra fifth round pick next year!
If McKinley and Rivers can learn from Deebo, and Ebukam can contribute on special teams and make his way into a backup role, that is a pretty good outcome. If Jones can overcome his injury and contribute, that is icing on the cake.
The draft itself is now only days away, so all this speculation and guesswork will soon be over, and we can talk about what really happened, rather than what simulations predict. I’m willing to bet that whatever happens, it will probably offer some surprises, questions and eventually a lot of optimism.
Until next time Nation!
