Eric Herrmann’s Final Pittsburgh Steelers Mock Draft
Here it is, my final mock draft of the year. There is one stipulation everybody should know:
This mock is what I think will happen, not necessarily what I want to happen.
I based these picks on the Steelers pre-draft visits, pro day visits, general team needs, and my gut. Please enjoy and let me know if you agree or disagree with my picks.
Round 1, Pick 30: Marlon Humphrey – CB (Alabama)
This is a pick I didn’t consider until recently, but it just feels right to me. My initial selection was TJ Watt, and he certainly could be our guy, but my heart and gut are telling me otherwise. Marlon Humphrey is a guy where it’s easy to think he won’t fall to us, but it’s happened before. Years ago nobody, including myself, expected Bud Dupree to fall us the Steelers… but he did.
The depth in this draft will help this case, cornerbacks that could go before Humphrey include Marshon Lattimore, Gareon Conley, Kevin King, Chidobie Awuzie, and Obi Melifonwu(a CB to some)
Regarding Humphrey’s fit with Pittsburgh, he meshes perfectly with the direction the Steelers are heading with their cornerbacks. He has the size, speed, length, and physicality the Steelers want; they want to play more man-coverage and Humphrey will enable them to do so. He also has the swagger that Tomlin loves in his players. He’s not a finished product, but like Artie Burns last years, he has all the tools to develop into a shutdown corner.
Round 2, Pick 30: Carl Lawson – EDGE (Auburn)
Carl Lawson is a player some have projected to the 1st round, but a lot of signs are pointing to him falling in the draft. Lawson has a history of injuries which will certainly turn some teams off. He also isn’t a super-athlete, which is something many teams covet. Many teams would rather bet on the upside of super athletes.
Despite these negatives, Lawson offers a lot of upside as a player. He is one of the most refined pass-rushers in this draft class and compensates his lack of athleticism with technique and aggressiveness. With the Steelers in a sort of “win-now” time with Ben Roethlisberger’s retirement looming, Lawson may be the pass rusher in this draft class who can contribute the most immediately. He isn’t quite the project players such as TJ Watt are. Lawson is a player who could come in and rotate with Harrison week 1 and eventually take over.
Round 3, Pick 30: Samaje Perine – RB (Oklahoma)
The third round is tricky for the Steelers because at this point the Steelers top needs are now filled. From this point, the Steelers will likely focus more on the best player available. One need they could fill is running back.
With DeAngelo Williams still unsigned, the Steelers have a gaping hole behind Le’Veon Bell with only Fitzgerald Toussaint and Knile Davis behind him. Samaje Perine could fit into this role perfectly. The Steelers love big, punishing running backs. At 5’11 233 lb’s, Perine fits this bill.
The Steelers haven’t shown much interest in running backs, only bringing in one for a pre-draft visit. But for one, Steelers running back coach James Saxon was at Perine’s pro day. The other fact that sold me was that the year the Steelers drafted Le’Veon Bell they only brought in three running backs for a pre-draft visit, the fifth most.
Round 3, Pick 41: Josh Reynolds – WR (Texas A&M)
This is likely my most controversial pick and one that I don’t necessarily even want to happen. However, with all the inconsistency the Steelers have at wide receiver, they may want to invest in the position. Martavis Bryant is yet to be reinstated and isn’t a guaranteed option, Sammie Coates hasn’t proven to be consistent, Justin Hunter is a wildcard, and Darrius Heyward-Bey doesn’t seem to be more than a depth option.
Josh Reynolds fits the mold of wide receivers the Steelers love: he’s a tall, fast, vertical threat. Unlike other receivers on the roster though, he doesn’t have a history of drops. Reynolds would give the Steelers insurance at the wide receiver position and would be a red zone threat for the team. He has the measurables, work ethic, and toughness to succeed and be a contributor to the Steelers.
Round 4, Pick 28: Rayshawn Jenkins – S (Miami U)
The Steelers have shown an interest in safety this offseason and need depth at the position. They have their clear-cut starters in Mike Mitchell and Sean Davis but need depth. All they have is Robert Golden, who has proven to be a liability when forced into action.
Rayshawn Jenkins is another example of a player who may fall due to the depth in this draft class. Jenkins has solid speed and has the aggressiveness the Steelers love in their safeties. He has the skillset to be an early contributor playing in the box.
Jenkins needs time in order to learn the position and adapt to the speed of the NFL. He’s a developmental prospect who would provide solid depth and maybe even be groomed into a future starter. Meanwhile, he can be a major contributor to special teams.
Round 5, Pick 29: Keion Adams – EDGE (Western Michigan)
The Steelers have a history of double-dipping at positions of need. With both Anthony Chickillo and Arthur Moats entering the final years of their contract, the Steelers need outside linebacker depth.
Keion Adams is almost the opposite of the first edge rusher I mocked to the Steelers, Carl Lawson. While Lawson is a technician, Adams relies on his speed and athleticism as a pass rusher. He’s a developmental prospect who could be a special teams demon during his rookie year and eventually be groomed into a contributor on defense. His athletic upside makes him a project worth investing in.
Round 6, Pick 29: Scott Orndoff – TE (Pitt)
The Steelers could use some tight end depth. While they seem to still believe in Ladarius Green as the starter, there is room for upgrades. Xavier Grimble is a camp hero who hasn’t been a consistent option for the team and could easily be replaced. David Johnson offers flexibility as a tight end and fullback and is a reliable player, he doesn’t offer much upside.
Scott Orndoff is a blocking tight end with athletic upside. He has the size teams covet in tight ends and could be a red zone threat over time. At the very least he can push Grimble and if he can’t beat him, be placed on the practice squad.
Round 7, Pick: 30: Javancy Jones – ILB (Jackson State)
There is some confusion about where Javancy Jones will play in the NFL, but here I am projecting him as an inside linebacker. ILB is a position where the Steelers are severely lacking in depth. I would’ve liked to address this position sooner, but the depth in this class isn’t too strong.
Coming from a small school and not being too experienced, Jones would be a developmental prospect for the Steelers. He is a solid athlete and has the type of character the Steelers love; it’s easy to imagine him being a training camp favorite. The Steelers have shown interest in Jones, attending his pro day, and with the Steelers infatuation in linebackers, this is a pick that just makes sense.
