My Mock Draft 1.0

I finally got around to watching some film and researching some players. This draft isn't really about what I think the Steelers will do, but what I think the Steelers should do. This mock draft assumes Najee Harris will be gone, which is a pretty safe bet. As you will see, I double dip into the WR pool. This needs to happen whether or not the Steelers keep Pickens. One prospect isn't going to be enough even if Pickens stays aboard. I can't imagine guys like Van Jefferson and Mike Williams are going to be on the roster next year.

This draft does not include a QB. To me there isn't one worth wasting a pick on. I have no interest in Ward. I think Sanders is the best QB in the class, but he will be gone long before the Steelers pick, and even if he's not, I doubt ArtII wants to deal with the circus that would entail. I'm not sold on Dart, and honestly, somebody may draft him in the 1st anyhow.

RD 1) Kenneth Grant*, NT, Michigan

This guy is an absolute monster. It has been forever since the Steelers have had a Casey Hampton type player in the middle of the line. I doubt Grant makes it this far down into the first round. But if he does, he would almost be a no-brainer. The defense would improve just based on the amount of passes this kid will knock down.

RD 2) Tre Harris, WR, Ole Miss

I know everybody wants Egbuka here. I do too. The only problem is that there is no way he is going to still be around by the time the Steelers pick in the 2nd. Harris may not be either. This guy has a lot of the same attributes that George Pickens has, but with a better attitude.

RD3) KeAndre Lambert-Smith*, WR, Auburn

This is my favorite pick of my Mock. This kid can play inside and out. Lambert-Smith runs downhill with a head of steam the second he catches the ball. KLS has a chance to be the best route runner the Steelers have drafted since DJ. What I like most is the contrast between he and Harris. The Steelers get one home run hitter and one swiss army knife.


RD4) Cam Skattebo, RB, Arizona State

If you haven't watched this kid run yet, think of Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala only with better speed and pass catching ability. Skattebo has a low center of gravity and is difficult to bring(keep) down. He runs downhill, and with a mean streak. The combination of he and Warren might be an improvement over past years because Skattebo is more of a homerun threat than Najee was. Watching him play, I feel like this guy was built to play running back in Pittsburgh.

RD5) Kendal Daniels, S, Oklahoma State

This deep into the draft the DB pool gets a little shallow. At 6'4 this kid is huge and has a ton of production over his college career. Daniels is a box safety who can cover. Adding a safety prospect to the mix seems wise given the way the Steelers D was gashed at the end of the season.

 

I like the first two rounds. A lot.
Third round I'd prefer a CB. Denzel Burke, Dorian Strong, Daylan Everette,and A'zariah Thomas are all 6' or better, and have the ability to be a strong #2.
I'd take Skattabo in the 4th, but he won't be there, especially after his well televised end of season heroics.
My fifth would be your double up on WR, Oronde Gadsden II from Syracuse. Played TE in college, but he's 6'5" 210 pounds. A serious possession receiver and mis-match hell for LBs.

 

I like the picks of Grant, Harris, and Skattebo.

 

The best description I heard about Scattebo is that he is Mike Alstott with speed.

 

I like the Grant/Harris combo.

After that, I agree with Blast that they're going to want a veteran presence in the WR room. If they double-dip at the position it would be later on, maybe one of their sevenths. I really like Skattebo, but am seeing him as a third-rounder right now.

Thanks for KeAndre Lambert-Smith, hadn't heard of him yet. I'll have to take a look this weekend.

 

The thing I like about KLS is that he is always moving forward. Watch how he moves right to left. He makes one quick change of direction always forward. Even when hes tackled, he's always moving forward.

I imagine my mock will look a lot different after the combine. Grant may end up a top 15 guy and Harris may sneak into the first.