With the 21st overall pick, the Pittsburgh Steelers won’t feel too pressured to look at any specific position. Including safety, after adding Jaquan Brisker earlier this offseason and likely Darnell Savage as well. However, that’s still a spot The 33rd Team’s Steve Palazzolo thinks the Steelers could target in the first round. Taking part in a two-round mock draft, Palazzolo had the Steelers selecting Dillon Thieneman at the 21st pick.
“How’s Thieneman look for the Steelers as a first-round safety?” Palazzolo said Monday on his Check the Mic show. “I think they just need some youth and athleticism in the secondary. So give me Thieneman to the Steelers.”
Thieneman is a name that’s really grown in popularity for the Steelers in recent mock drafts. He’ll likely come off the board in the first round, but he should be available toward the middle-to-later stages of it. There’s a solid chance he’ll be available when the Steelers go on the clock.
Thieneman is no stranger to splash plays, racking up eight interceptions in college. His combination of size and athleticism allows him to play multiple roles in the secondary, has tremendous awareness in coverage, and is smart at recognizing things in the run game as well. He could provide some long-term stability at a position where the Steelers could certainly use some help.
In the second round, Palazzolo had the Steelers picking Utah OT Caleb Lomu.
“I’m taking him for Pittsburgh, as a second-round offensive tackle, 38 on the consensus board, going at 53,” Palazzolo said.
Whether the Steelers need a tackle or not is in the eye of the beholder. Omar Khan spoke positively about Broderick Jones’ recovery earlier this week, and Dylan Cook turned some into believers late last season as well.
Yet, that’s an unproven duo. If left tackle is a spot to upgrade, Caleb Lomu would be really good value at the 53rd overall pick. Palazzolo is referencing Lomu being 38th on Pro Football Focus’ big board, but some consider him even higher than that. He’s currently 23rd on Mock Draft Database’s big board. And our Tom Mead labeled Lomu a late first-round talent in his scouting report earlier this offseason.
Mock drafts can get a little wild at times, but this would feel like a successful first two rounds for the Steelers. If Thieneman is there at 21, there certainly is some sense behind picking him. And if the Steelers were able to land Lomu later in the second round, that would be tremendous value as well.
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