The Pittsburgh Steelers have transitioned to the offseason, where the pre-draft process ramps up. Pittsburgh is trying to bolster its roster in hopes of having a better chance to compete in the postseason next year. Given their needs and talent in this draft class, it’s never too early to go through mock draft scenarios and project players the Steelers may be interested in.
ROUND 1 (#21 OVERALL) JAXSON DART/QB/OLE MISS
The Steelers currently have a glaring hole at quarterback, and until they sign another veteran quarterback to be the presumed starter in 2025, quarterback will likely top their draft board in regard to their top need. They have shown plenty of interest in Ole miss QB Jaxson Dart who they are bringing in for a pre-draft visit, met with at the NFL Combine and the Senior Bowl, and also had assistant GM Andy Weidl attended his Pro Day.
The views on Dart coming out are mixed as the quarterback has obvious arm talent, throwing for 4,279 yards and 29 touchdowns to just six interceptions last season, displaying good moments of zip and touch on his passes. Still, his decision making and overall accuracy has been put into question, making him a bit of a risk at #21 overall. Still, Pittsburgh may be tempted to roll the dice with Dart, hoping that he can gel with DK Metcalf, George Pickens, and Pat Freiermuth to create a formidable passing attack.
ROUND 3 (#83 OVERALL) SHEMAR TURNER/DL/TEXAS A&M
With Pittsburgh passing of defensive line in the first round, the position becomes imperative to address with their next pick. Texas A&M DL Shemar Turner fits the measurables of what Pittsburgh looks for in their defensive linemen, being a capable run defender who can get into the backfield and control gaps. He also has upside as a pass rusher, posting six sacks and two forced fumbles a season ago before having a quiet 2024 campaign. Turner can rotate in to start as he develops into a starting 3-4 DE in Pittsburgh’s defense.
ROUND 4 (#123 OVERALL) BHAYSHUL TUTEN/RB/VIRGINIA TECH
The Steelers need to add another running back to the backfield after losing Najee Harris in free agency to the Los Angeles Chargers. They have done extensive work on the backs in this class and Virginia Tech RB Bhayshul Tuten is a name they could go with in the middle rounds. Tuten produced at a high level for the Hokies, having good contact balance and elusiveness while 4.32 speed in a 5092, 206-pound frame. He can come in and compete for reps with Jaylen Warren while having Cordarrelle Patterson and Kenneth Gainwell also get touches.
ROUND 5 (#156 OVERALL) AJANI CORNELIUS/OT/OREGON
Right now, the Steelers don’t have a lot of depth at offensive tackle behind Broderick Jones and Troy Fautanu who look to be locked in to be Pittsburgh’s bookend tackles in 2025. They should look to sign a more experienced veteran as a swing tackle, but drafting a young option that can develop into a quality depth player would be a wise investment in the middle rounds.
Oregon OT Ajani Cornelius started his career at Rhode Island before transferring to the Ducks, finding his spot at right tackle. He is a quality run blocker that needs to develop more consistency as a pass protector. Still, Cornelius has the skill set and upside to become a strong backup and potential starter down the road and would give Pittsburgh another young blocker to develop behind their young starting tackles.
ROUND 6 (#185 OVERALL) KAIMON RUCKER/EDGE/NORTH CAROLINA
The Steelers cut OLB Preston Smith as a cap casualty, and even though they brought back OLB Jeremiah Moon, they could look to add more of a pass rush specialist later in the draft to round out their depth chart at EDGE. North Carolina EDGE Kaimon Rucker suffered a cracked fibula against NC State on cheap-shot cut block, damaging his draft stock as he recovers this offseason. However, the 6-1, 254-pounder has shown to be explosive and productive coming off the edge, racking up 14.5 sacks the past two seasons. He’s used to playing in a two-point stance and could represent good value for Pittsburgh should he be healthy by the start of training camp.
ROUND 7 (#229 OVERALL) DESMOND WATSON/DL/FLORIDA
The Pittsburgh Steelers round out the draft by selecting the heaviest man in this draft, and possibly all-time in Florida DL Desmond Watson. Alex Kozora did an extensive breakdown on Watson and how he could beef up the interior, standing 6060, 464 pounds and can literally clog up interior running lanes thanks to his pure size and strength at the point of attack, but he’s also capable of stacking and shedding blocks against the running game.
He doesn’t bring anything as a pass rusher, but adding a big body like Watson to the middle of the defense to eat up double teams and free up the other defensive linemen as well as the linebackers to flow to the football, he could be worth a late-round flier to bring in and see if he can get on the field on early-downs as a run stuffer.
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