Zac Celedonia’s Pittsburgh Steelers Mock Draft
A wise man once said, “Ain’t no party like a mock draft party.” For those of you who follow along with us at Steel City Underground, you may have noticed a few already posted in honor of DRAFT WEEK!
In no way shape or form, are mock drafts ever 100% correct. For crying out loud, most are lucky to properly predict a single pick for a single team!
This 2017 class, in particular, is extremely difficult to mock, not that I’m complaining. The newest group of prospects being added to the NFL is being called the deepest we have seen in years. Thus, opinions vary on just about every player and their particular value. But mock drafts can actually be fun to run from time to time.
This is my first-ever one with a lot of detail. I used the “NFL Mock” big-board option on FanSpeak, and this draft class would have me skipping down the hallways.
Round 1, Pick 30: Quincy Wilson – CB (Florida)
To be honest, I was somewhat surprised Wilson was on the board. There has been talk of the Florida cornerback being selected as high as number 14 to the Eagles, and as low as the mid-to-late 2nd round at times. The fact of the matter is, Wilson was by far and away the BEST cornerback left at the Steelers pick (30). Cornerback Tre White of LSU was still an option, but I’m not as high on White as others.
Wilson was not brought in for a pre-draft visit, but neither was Artie Burns. Wilson can be the future partner for Burns on the outside in Pittsburgh’s defense. Ross Cockrell (finally) signed his tender recently, but it doesn’t take a marriage counselor to see that the Steelers like Cockrell, but they don’t LIKE LIKE him. I’m willing to bet he won’t be in Pittsburgh long after this season and Quincy Wilson fits the mold of the new age CB that Pittsburgh now desires.
Wilson stands 6′ 1″, 211 lbs. and clocks a 4.54 forty-yard dash. He’s an above average tackler for a corner, great in press, and plays with that attitude, or “swag”, you want from a cornerback.
The Steelers have appeared to lack confidence from their cornerbacks (not named Artie Burns) the past couple of seasons. Quincy Wilson does not lack confidence. At Florida, Wilson was often willing to cover the opponent’s best receivers.
Ideally, Artie Burns will be Pittsburgh’s number one corner, but having two young studs who can swap on number one receivers sounds like a great problem to have.
Round 2, Pick 30: Derek Rivers – EDGE (Youngstown State)
I’m not the first to jump all over this gift of a draft pick.
Derek Rivers is the “hot name” in Steelers circles right now, some even willing to take the Youngstown State edge in the first round (which isn’t crazy). Joe Kuzma recently had an interview with Rivers, and the young man has Steeler written all over him.
Pittsburgh desperately needs help in the pass rush department. Bud Dupree is showing signs of being a double-digit sack guy, however, like Artie Burns in the back end, Dupree needs a partner in crime. James Harrison can’t play forever (I’m almost sure of it) so an edge rusher is a necessary pick early for Pittsburgh.
The Steelers get their man in the 2nd round here, and likely sprint that card up to the podium. Pittsburgh has displayed more documented interest in Rivers than any other prospect when it comes to visits and meetings. The writing is literally on the wall, and I know Steelers Nation would be ecstatic over this pick.
Rivers would be able to come in and make an immediate impact. Not bad getting that out of back-to-back 2nd round picks (with Sean Davis being last year’s 2nd round selection).
Round 3, Pick 30: Adam Shaheen – TE (Ashland)
In my opinion, the Steelers are not set at the tight end position, so Shaheen was an easy choice for me.
I really liked the Ladarius Green signing when it happened, and I hope he can be effective for Pittsburgh in 2017. Unfortunately, with no new updates on Green after ending the season due to concussions, Kevin Colbert and Mike Tomlin are more or less forced to draft a tight end to add to the mix.
Ashland’s Adam Shaheen has been called “Baby Gronk” by some, and let me tell you, he dominated his competition. The “Baby Gronk” put up 16 touchdowns in 2016, and almost eclipsed 1,000 yards (867). Shaheen is 6’6″ and 278 lbs.!
That’s a little heavy for the current NFL tight end position, so I would expect Shaheen to trim down to about 265-259 for the better of his game, and health.
But I believe the 3rd round is a perfect fit for Shaheen and the Steelers. Pittsburgh would be lucky to add this giant to the mix.
Round 3, Pick 41: Montae Nicholson – S (Michigan State)
This might be a reach for Nicholson, but the stars just lined up for it. Montae was the top safety left on the board, and the Steelers have had more safeties in for pre-draft visits than anyone had expected (including Montae Nicholson). Clearly, they want somebody to come in to be groomed behind Mike Mitchell, as well as play alongside him in nickel and dime situations.
Colbert and Tomlin likely surprised a lot of people with the Sean Davis selection last year, especially with Darian Thompson and Vonn Bell still on the board. But like they usually do, the Steelers hit the ball out of the park and picked the best rookie safety from the 2016 class. So, maybe it wouldn’t be as surprising if they picked another name, who hasn’t been talked about as much say a Josh Jones or Marcus Maye.
Nicholson has his doubters, but he has the traits that the NFL looks for too: 6’2″, 212 lbs. and a 4.42 forty-yard dash time.
You can’t teach that!
There will be coaches wanting to develop this guy, so why not Pittsburgh defensive backs coach Carnell Lake?
Scouts knock Nicholson for his lack of aggression at times, but don’t the Steelers have Mike Mitchell and now Sean Davis for that? I know this is against the norm here, but Nicholson’s physicality problems aren’t as major to me. I would want to use him primarily in an overhang role, and basically, never in the box.
Round 4, Pick 28: Joshua Dobbs – QB (Tennessee)
Yes, I’ve done it, friends. I put my money where my mouth is. I was lucky enough to get my quarterback, Josh Dobbs, a round later than I had him targeted.
I’ve talked till I was blue in the face in regard to Dobbs’ potential as a future NFL quarterback, so, I won’t bore anybody and repeat myself. Let’s say I’m a big time Josh Dobbs believer, and if Pittsburgh snags him in the 4th round, I’ll be very excited.
No one has to see him even dress for 2017 games (besides preseason obviously). Just let the kid sit and learn behind a future Hall of Famer (Big Ben), a top five NFL head coach (Mike Tomlin obviously), and an above average offensive coordinator (Todd Haley).
Pittsburgh inked one of the games’ top backup quarterbacks this offseason in Landry Jones, so Dobbs can come to the 2017 regular season in sweats. At worst, Pittsburgh wastes a 4th round pick on an amazing kid who wasn’t meant for the pros.
Let’s not sit here and act like 4th round picks are some surefire superstar selection. The 4th round has brought us the awesomeness of Martavis Bryant, but you’ll be hard pressed to find another who has panned out: Shamarko Thomas, Doran Grant, Cortez Allen, and Thaddeus Gibson were all 4th round picks.
At best, Dobbs becomes what I think he can be. At worst, he’s no worse than the names mentioned above.
Round 5, Pick 29: James Conner – RB (Pitt)
Most people assume the Steelers will select a running back at some point in the draft. Similar to my Derek Rivers pick, I am not exactly in the minority when it comes to Conner and the Steelers being a match.
Everyone has heard the running back’s phenomenal story, and Pittsburgh knows him better than any other team. Former Chiefs running back Knile Davis was brought in to compete with Fitzgerald Toussaint in camp. However, most don’t see Knile as an RB2 option behind Le’Veon Bell.
Personally, I’m not as low on Knile Davis as most; which may have led to how long I waited to select a running back. Pittsburgh often targets larger backs in the draft, and Conner is an easy fit.
Round 6, Pick 29: K.D. Cannon – WR (Baylor)
I never doubted Martavis Bryant for a second. The freak of nature has finally been reinstated by the NFL (rightfully so), and the team also added former high draft pick, Justin Hunter in free agency.
Now the wide receiver position isn’t a large concern for Pittsburgh. However, the Steelers usually hit on receivers drafted from the mid rounds and on (Hines Ward, Mike Wallace, Emmanuel Sanders, Markus Wheaton, Antonio Brown, etc.), so I’m not going to fix what isn’t broken.
K.D. Cannon is one of the best deep threats in the draft and is expected to come off the board at this point. He’s pretty raw, but Steelers wide receivers coach Richard Mann is the best in the business.
Round 7, Pick: 30: Joe Williams – RB (Utah)
I really don’t have much to say about the Williams pick. The Steelers often will “double-dip” at a position of need in drafts, so I chose to do so at running back.
Williams would be a top three-round guy had scouts not been worried about him for “walking away from football” for a season. So his passion for the game is in question, but in round seven I’ll take that risk.
Conclusion
All in all, it’s likely that none of these players will be picked by Pittsburgh (because that would be too easy).
But if I even got one or two of the names right, I’ll be a happy camper. I’ll be a happy camper regardless because it’s draft week people!
And the Pittsburgh Steelers are about to get stock their arsenal full of weapons.
