Ryan Lippert’s 2020 7-Round Steelers Mock Draft 1.0
In what has been a very trying, boring time without sports during this coronavirus pandemic, football fans finally have something to look forward to as we are just a couple of weeks away from the 2020 NFL Draft. While the draft is going to look a lot different than in the past, this is still a very intriguing and exciting draft class to try to evaluate.
As far as the Steelers are concerned, they have had a very productive offseason so far but still have some holes that they can fill and positions to upgrade at to put themselves back in the playoff mix this season. With that being said, here is who I have the Pittsburgh Steelers selecting in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Second Round (49): Jonathan Taylor – RB, Wisconsin
As I just mentioned, the Steelers have had what I consider a very productive offseason. They added some key pieces in free agency at positions of need. With that being said, I don’t see any true crucial needs where they have to find an immediate starter with their first selection. This pick could go in many different directions and will depend on how the board falls. As much as I love James Conner, Benny Snell, Jaylen Samuels, and company, their run game could still use some improvement.
Taylor is my top running back in this class and I believe we will be lucky to have him fall to this spot. However, this running back class is so close in talent at the top, I could see it happening. Taylor would give the Steelers a true work horseback that runs with a nice amount of physicality and also has the true top-end speed to break off a long touchdown run at any given moment. If he can sure up his ball security issues, Taylor can be an All-Pro caliber back and the eventual front runner in a solid Pittsburgh running back group.
Also Considered: Jalen Reagor (WR, TCU), J.K. Dobbins (RB, Ohio St), Clyde Edwards-Helaire (RB, LSU)
Third Round (102): Lloyd Cushenberry III – IOL, LSU
With the signing of offensive guard Stefen Wisniewski in free agency, I believe the Steelers will have a solid starting offensive line heading into 2020. However, they desperately need some depth on the interior after losing Ramon Foster to retirement and B.J. Finney in free agency. Cushenberry would be an outstanding depth piece that could be a plug-in guy due to injuries or poor performance by any of the starters. He played center at LSU but I can see him having the ability to move to guard if needed.
Cushenberry has great length for a center and a solid frame which he uses to his advantage. He has also shown the power/strength needed to be a successful run blocker as well as great awareness as a pass blocker. I see him being used a lot at guard as a rotational guy initially but could be the center of the future once Maurkice Pouncey retires.
Also Considered: Alex Highsmith (Edge, Charlotte), Damien Lewis (IOL, LSU), Damon Arnette (CB, Ohio St)
Fourth Round (124): Anfernee Jennings – Edge, Alabama
The Steelers have one of the best pass-rushing duos in the league with T.J. Watt and Bud Dupree. However, this is another position that they will need to add depth to through the draft. Jennings is a prospect that Pittsburgh should be very happy with landing at this spot. He had a solid senior year for the Crimson Tide, finishing with 83 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, and eight sacks.
His length and strength makes it very hard for offensive tackles and tight ends to get movement on him in the run game and he has solid technique as a pass rusher. He would be a very good rotational piece for this defense to help Watt and Dupree get some rest without worrying about letting up a big play.
Also Considered: Logan Stenberg (IOL, Kentucky), Brandon Jones (S, Texas), Jordan Elliott (IDL, Missouri)
Fourth Round (135): Lynn Bowden Jr. – WR, Kentucky
Heading into 2020, I’m very confident in the Steelers passing game with Ben Roethlisberger returning to throw to three promising young receivers in Juju Smith-Schuster, Diontae Johnson, and James Washington, along with tight ends Eric Ebron and Vance McDonald. However, I believe they could still use one more rotational guy to the mix.
As a Kentucky fan, I would be very happy with Bowden slipping to this spot. Some teams may worry about drafting him as he spent the past season playing out of position at quarterback but Bowden is the type of player that you simply line up and get the ball in his hands.
With Bowden and Johnson, the Steelers would have two very electric young receivers who will do a lot of damage with the ball in their hands, whether it be catching passes, returning kicks, jet sweeps, or whatever the case may be.
Also Considered: Antonio Gandy-Golden (WR, Liberty), Alex Taylor (OT, South Carolina St), Van Jefferson (WR, Florida)
Sixth Round (198): Dane Jackson – CB, Pittsburgh
After a very impressive 2019 season, I strongly believe that the Steelers have one of the best corner tandems in the league with Joe Haden and Steven Nelson. Unfortunately, I can’t say that I have the same amount of confidence in the guys behind them on the depth chart.
With that being said, I have them keeping Jackson in Pittsburgh at this pick. Jackson has solid instincts and ball skills to help him in zone coverage and has shown that he can provide help against the run as well. He will be a guy that makes the final roster and will be a nice rotational guy with the ability to develop behind the two veterans.
Also Considered: Shaquille Quarterman (LB, Miami), K’Von Wallace (S, Clemson), Willie Gay Jr. (LB, Mississippi St)
Seventh Round (232): Tanner Muse – LB/S, Clemson
Inside linebacker is another position that the Steelers are set on as far as starters are concerned with Devin Bush Jr. and Vince Williams. Unfortunately, the Mark Barron experiment failed last season, leaving the Steelers with the need to add depth at the position.
Muse would be a very intriguing selection here as he would provide the Steelers with some flexibility.
He played safety at Clemson which is also a depth need but he seems to project better as a linebacker at the next level. At this pick, he would be a great value as I believe he would make the final roster and could possibly be used in the dimebacker role that the Steelers were hoping that Barron would be successful in.
Also Considered: David Woodward (LB, Utah St), Jordan Mack (LB, Virginia), Brian Cole (S, Mississippi St)
Final Thoughts
Looking back at this potential draft haul, I would be very happy if this even came close to happening. These selections would fill almost every remaining need for the Steelers.
Unfortunately, as we have all seen with mock drafts in the past, no one can predict the future and anything can happen. That uncertainty is what makes the NFL Draft so special and I can’t wait to see who the Steelers add to this roster to try to make a run at number seven!
