Five-Round Mock Draft Has Steelers Addressing Pivotal Needs
Longtime NFL.com draft analyst Chad Reuter recently conducted a five-round mock draft, and he has the Pittsburgh Steelers addressing three huge needs in the first round. Offensive tackle is not addressed until later in the draft, however.
In the first round, Reuter has the Steelers selecting Alabama cornerback Terrion Arnold. Cornerback at 20th overall has picked up steam over the last few weeks. Former Steelers cornerback Bryant McFadden said the Steelers should run up to the podium if Arnold or Toledo cornerback Quinyon Mitchell are available at 20th overall.
“In last year’s draft, the Steelers found Joey Porter Jr. waiting to hear his name called at the top of the second round. Arnold could be in a similar situation for Pittsburgh to snag if quarterbacks, receivers and offensive linemen fill the top half of the first round. Arnold’s toughness and versatility make him a nice find here, as he can step into the slot as a rookie or play outside if Porter or Donte Jackson need a breather,” Reuter wrote.
Reuter than has the Steelers picking Oregon center Jackson Powers-Johnson in the second round. Powers-Johnson has been heavily linked to the Steelers since January, as the center position is a glaring hole on the roster. Some in league circles think Powers-Johnson could drop in the draft, which would provide great value for the Steelers at 51st overall.
In the third round, the Steelers land Western Kentucky wide receiver Malachi Corley. Corley was in for a pre-draft visit this past week.
Over the past three seasons, there have only been a handful of guys at the position that have been more productive. With over 250 catches for nearly 3,000 yards and 29 touchdown grabs, his resume on paper is really impressive. Corley’s unique play style and physical profile has drawn comparisons to another former Senior Bowl standout: current San Francisco 49ers playmaker Deebo Samuel. As we all know, Samuel is a true unicorn at the position but there are certainly some similarities between the two players, most notably their indistinguishable builds.
Reuter rounds out the Steelers’ picks with the club selecting North Carolina linebacker Cedric Gray at 98th overall and Missouri offensive tackle Javon Foster.
Reuter’s mock addresses all of the Steelers’ top needs, but an offensive tackle in the fourth round suggests that Dan Moore Jr. will likely be the starting left tackle again.
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