You’re always looking for alternatives and here I am to provide them!

Following the first version of my Steelers mock NFL Draft, it’s realistic to believe that two of my picks will not be there in rounds two and three. Therefore, I present to you a modified version of my mock draft, sliding some of those picks up one round and making some other selections along the way.

Rather than bore you with the same details for a few of these picks that I’d make again (namely the mid-to-late rounds) simply checkout my 7-round 1.0 draft here so you can read the rationale there and compare the differences.

Enjoy!

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First Round (24): Najee Harris – RB (Alabama)

I’m firm on wanting a running back and stud offensive lineman in the top two out of three rounds. In both of my mocks, I’m truly counting on a center falling to the Steelers at pick 87 in the third round.

What I’m not as confident about is one of the “big three” running backs in this draft slipping to pick 55 for the Steelers in the second round.

Of the three between Najee Harris, Travis Etienne, and Javonte Williams, it appears that Pittsburgh has shown little to no interest in the latter Williams – leaving only Harris and Etienne as their top prospects.

While the Steelers have looked at backs who could be taken anywhere in the draft, at pick 24 they could have their pick of the litter. If they go this direction, there’s no doubt in my mind that Najee Harris is their pick.

Note: I also picked Harris in the second round of my original seven-round draft. See why I believe one of the big backs will still be there at pick 55, but also why that’s a huge risk for Pittsburgh.

Also considered: RB Travis Etienne (Clemson)

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Second Round (55): Dillon Radunz – OT (North Dakota State)

I have to absolutely get a tackle somewhere in the draft, and with this year’s NFL Draft rather deep at the position, the Steelers will likely get more than one.

I feel as though one of the highly regarded tackles slips into rounds two and three – it could be the FCS product from North Dakota State here. (I also considered going with a center here too.)

Depending on how the real draft shakes out can greatly alter if there’s a run on tackles and whether or not the Steelers choose another position instead. (See below rationale.) NFL.com lists Radunz as the ninth-overall offensive tackle. He could go earlier, but it’s so hard to say other than having nine or ten tackles off of the board by pick 55, which should leave the Steelers with someone of value here.

Also considered: C Creed Humphrey (Oklahoma), C Landon Dickerson (Alabama), OT Liam Eichenberg (Notre Dame)

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Third Round (87): Quinn Meinerz (Wisconsin-Whitewater)

I feel Meinerz is the center most likely to fall within the first 100 picks. I also feel that Humphrey and Dickerson more than likely won’t be first round selections, but if the Steelers are thinking tackle, they may have to pass on those centers and wait for the product from Wisconsin-Whitewater with pick 87.

There’s nothing wrong with that logic, as Meinerz is considered one of the top three centers in the draft.

With a history of three centers or fewer getting selected in the first 100 picks of the draft, I feel good about landing Meinerz here.

If these centers are gone and the Steelers already have their running back and another offensive lineman, don’t be too surprised if they aim for a blocking tight end such as Notre Dame’s Tommy Tremble or snag yet another receiving threat such as Clemson’s Amari Rodgers.

Also considered: TE Tommy Tremble (Notre Dame), WR Amari Rodgers (Clemson)