Brian Roach’s 2020 Mock Draft Insanity – Version 1.0
A few years ago, I started something called “Mock Draft Insanity”. The rules were pretty simple – I could do whatever I wanted to do, and speculate that through the most ridiculous of draft day scenarios the Steelers could somehow acquire an inordinate number of picks, and essentially fill any and every gap possible in a single draft.
Silliness, I know, but the point was twofold.
First, to introduce prospects in a hurry (because with 15 or 16 picks in a single draft, that’s a lot of prospects). Secondly, to show just how silly most mock drafts are. It’s early in the season of Mocksanity, and while we did one “insanity” style draft on an earlier podcast, I felt it was time to take the bull by the horns and put out the first Mock Draft Insanity article of the season.
Before we begin, here are the ground rules (for whatever those are worth)
- I use Fanspeak’s Mock Draft Simulator, and I select for ONLY the Steelers.
- Trades are allowed (and encouraged). I can trade picks for 2021 only and I cannot trade players.
- I have to be able to give some theory for why a trade was accepted by another team. That reason does not have to be logical (because the point is that logic is on vacation).
- I have to sit through the movie “Draft Day” before starting to obtain the appropriate sense of lunacy.
And remember – this is supposed to be ridiculous…
That’s it. It’s a no-holds-barred draft throwdown! Let’s get to it!
The Trades
Trade Partner: Minnesota Vikings
- Sent: Future Round 1 Pick, Future Round 4 Pick
- Received: Round: 1 Pick: 22, Round: 2 Pick: 26, Round: 3 Pick: 25
Trade Partner: Miami Dolphins
- Sent: Round: 1 Pick: 22, Future Round 2 Pick
- Received: Round: 1 Pick: 26, Round: 2 Pick: 24, Round: 5 Pick: 7
Trade Partner: Seattle Seahawks
- Sent: Round: 1 Pick: 26, Future Round 3 Pick
- Received: Round: 1 Pick: 27, Round: 2 Pick: 27, Round: 3 Pick: 37
Trade Partner: Green Bay Packers
- Sent: Round: 1 Pick: 27
- Received: Round: 1 Pick: 30, Round: 2 Pick: 30, Round: 4 Pick: 30
Trade Partner: Carolina Panthers
- Sent: Round: 2 Pick: 17, Round: 4 Pick: 29
- Received: Round: 2 Pick: 6
Trade Partner: Baltimore Ravens
- Sent: Round: 2 Pick: 26 Round: 2 Pick: 28
- Received: Round: 2 Pick: 23, Round: 2 Pick: 30, Round: 3 Pick: 25
The Picks
30: R1P30 S Xavier McKinney Alabama
If he’s not the top safety in the draft, he’s a close second. The top trait of McKinney is his versatility. He can do anything. Deep zones, man coverage from the slot or lining up in the box close to the line of scrimmage, McKinney can do all of it, and win while doing it.
He’s got great football IQ, processes play well and has both the size and athleticism to be a solid pairing with Minkah Fitzpatrick for the next decade.
38: R2P6 OT Austin Jackson USC
This is a little bit of a boom or bust pick, but Jackson’s upside would make it one heck of a boom if it pays off. Jackson has solid foot speed to protect the edge. He has the lateral movement skills and the length needed to be good as a zone blocker.
He needs work, but with the right tutelage, he can be a solid anchor at the tackle position.
55: R2P23 RB J.K. Dobbins Ohio St.
J.K. ALL DAY! As a fan of the Scarlet and Grey, I’ve been touting this pick for months. In reality, I will not be at all surprised to see the Steelers go running back at 49 (if they don’t go offensive line) but in this “insanity” version, there is no way I can pass J.K. up here in the second. Great vision, great decision making, has speed, patience, and power to spare.
About the only think J.K. needs to improve on is his route running, but give him time and he’ll pick that up as well.
56: R2P24 C Lloyd Cushenberry III LSU
If I can’t have Dobbins in real life, Cushenberry is my choice. He’s strong as a run blocker but can improve in pass protection. Cushenberry is another of those guys with one of my favorite traits (and one of the Steelers) “position flexibility”. Could play center, and has rare length at the position, but could also play guard at the next level.
With the insane deals I made in this draft, it’s time to put together the next great offensive line, and Jackson and Cushenberry are the beginnings.
59: R2P27 CB Damon Arnette Ohio St.
Could be the next great press coverage corner in the Steel City. Arnette flourishes in press coverage, both soft and jamming receivers. He has the hand skills to redirect and be disruptive in coverage. Strong mirror and match skills. He needs to develop better instincts on when to turn and play the ball. His interceptions are low because he generally plays with his back to the QB.
He is game to play the run but needs to get better at navigating traffic. Still, this pick might give the Steelers a corner to replace either Joe Haden or Stephen Nelson when the time comes.
60: R2P28 C Cesar Ruiz Michigan
Oh just slap me and call me silly! Both Ruiz and Cushenberry in the same draft class? That’s what insanity will do for you. The top two center prospects both of whom have shown the versatility to play either center or guard? Pinch me! This is the real core of a great offensive line.
62: R2P30 WR Michael Pittman Jr. USC
You know, and I know that the Steelers are going to draft a wide receiver at some time in the draft. Pittman could be that guy. His hands are his best trait. STRONG HANDS! Not a guy who drops the ball often, and can pick it out of the air away from his frame. He has a good catch radius to go along with those hands. He’s tough, a good blocker in the run game and very good at contested catches.
He reminds me of Hines Ward.
89: R3P25 LB Malik Harrison Ohio St.
Malik Harrison can be a 3 down linebacker in the NFL. He has the football IQ, and the physical traits to handle coverage and run downs. He navigates well through traffic and uses his hands and length well when stacking and shedding blocks. He’s also a good blitzer up the middle with solid timing.
Here is another guy who pairs well with a current Steeler (Devin Bush) and could give you your inside linebacker duo for foreseeable future.
101: R3P37 TE Albert Okwuegbunam Missouri
I wasn’t going to take a TE, but I really like the athleticism of Albert Okwuegbunam. He has had some injury issues in the past, but his upside outweighs those concerns and in this insanity model of a mock draft, I have the picks to spare.
102: R3P38 EDGE Alex Highsmith Charlotte
Here is a guy who has been linked to the Steelers in a lot of mock drafts so far. He has explosiveness in his first step and great “twitch”. His acceleration and anticipation is enough to make him a potentially explosive and effective pass rush specialist early on. He needs to develop his hand skills and get better at disengaging from blockers, but he shows flashes of being able to develop those traits. Great effort guy. He does lack length and unfortunately, that can’t be taught. He may have enough bend to overcome it, but at this point in the draft, he’s a guy who projects as having enough upside to warrant the pick.
The Remaining Picks
124: R4P18 DL Leki Fotu Utah
136: R4P30 WR Lynn Bowden Jr. Kentucky
153: R5P7 LB Jordyn Brooks Texas Tech
198: R6P19 EDGE Trevis Gipson Tulsa
232: R7P18 QB Jake Luton Oregon St.
The rest of this draft rounds out nicely with Fotu as a possible NT, Bowden as a gadget play guy, Brooks and Gipson as project guys and Luton as your obligatory QB just to make the whiners happy.
Let me reiterate – this isn’t going to happen, not in a million years or a thousand alternate dimensions. But it sure was fun to pretend.
I wonder what will happen in V2 of Mock Draft Insanity?
