Joe Kuzma’s Pittsburgh Steelers Mock Draft
Here goes nothing!
I generally avoid the controversy and speculation that is the guesswork of predicting the unpredictable. But heck, it’s fun, and everyone else here at SCU is doing it, so I figured, why not?
And that’s the part to remember clearly here: this most likely won’t fall in this manner, nor does it mean the Steelers will choose these exact players in the same exact situations. I also don’t believe the Steelers will trade, but with a deep draft, it’s still possible they will. There were some scenarios which netted Pittsburgh an extra third rounder ahead of Baltimore, which would be nice for moving back only a few spots from the first into the second round (trading with Jacksonville, Chicago, and others).
However, I stuck with the original picks as-is, and thus, tried my best at making some of the pro day, pre-draft visits and other interviews stick with the board I was handed. (Which for inquiring minds, was based on the CBS big board released several days ago, using Fanspeak’s engine to make the picks.)
Round 1, Pick 30: Marlon Humphrey – CB (Alabama)
The closer I get to draft day, the more I’m convinced the Steelers will go after a top-flight corner should one fall to them at pick 30.
Why?
I believe one of their two main EDGE targets (T.J. Watt and Derek Rivers) will drop to pick 62. They could also find Takkarist McKinley there if enough teams think his shoulder surgery is an issue.
What they won’t find is Humphrey falling to 62, and maybe not even here at 30. But since he was here, I was quick to nab him. Ross Cockrell was a restricted free agent who signed his tender. I’m not sure the team was sold on him, since he was never a day one starter (Antwon Blake played over him two seasons ago) and they only tendered him with a fourth rounder (the lowest they could go, his original draft round – also a sign they weren’t asking for much to replace him).
William Gay is north of 30, and a pair of other corners will duke it out for playing time (Coty Sensabaugh and Senquez Golson).
This pick is insurance for all of that and could put a lockdown corner opposite of Artie Burns. This could give the Steelers their best secondary in a very long time!
Round 2, Pick 30: Derek Rivers – EDGE (Youngstown State)
This has been my homer pick since day one. If I didn’t think Rivers could fall to pick 62 in the second round, I would’ve made a move to make sure he’s a Steeler.
As I mentioned above, I say “homer” pick because I am a graduate of Youngstown State, Rivers’ alma mater. I have followed their program for close to 25 years, and each time I’d see Derek on the field he kept reminding me of a former Steeler: that man is LaMarr Woodley. (And I mean back when Woodley was setting the world on fire!)
It’s Rivers’ bend that reminds me of the former All-Pro. Apparently, the Steelers also feel the same way, because they’ve given Rivers the most attention of all the players they’ve put through their pre-draft process, having brought him in for visit, worked him out during his pro day, and interviewing him at the scouting combine and Senior Bowl.
With an heir for James Harrison needed, I say make this man a Steeler!
Round 3, Pick 30: Alex Anazalone – LB (Florida)
Anzalone has an injury history which drops him here, and perhaps further down the draft board. But one thing’s for certain: he can flat-out go.
The Florida linebacker can play practically any of the linebacking positions, but it’s behind Vince Williams and Ryan Shazier where I really need him: when is the last time Shazier played all 16 games in a season?
With Lawrence Timmons gone, the reliability of having Vince Williams of a back-up also goes bye-bye. I don’t feel strong enough about having Steven Johnson, Tyler Matakevich and L.J. Fort as the depth chart options. That’s where Anazlone, who crushed his combine numbers and had a stellar Senior Bowl showing as well, comes into play.
If he’s healthy at the next level, he’s a third round steal.
Round 3, Pick 41: Samaje Perine – RB (Oklahoma)
Would you like a younger version of DeAngelo Williams, who is a teammate willing to share carries and capable of holding down the fort if necessary?
That’s exactly who Samaje Perine is.
Perine shared carries with Joe Mixon at Oklahoma and still put up big numbers. He’s a capable blocker and pass catcher as well, and big enough to bulldoze between the tackles.
While a lot of people want local favorite James Conner, I think Perine has more upside, and considering depth at other positions, he has the best value on the board at this point of the mock draft.
Round 4, Pick 28: John Johnson – S (Boston College)
There’s an infatuation with some of the higher ranked safeties in this draft, such as Jabrill Peppers, Obi Melifonwu, Josh Jones, and Budda Baker. But for what it’s worth, I have my eyes on Johnson.
Here’s why.
He can play safety or corner, and also cover the slot receiver. He projects to playing deep as a free safety or in press coverage. He’s been a productive tackler, a pass breakup machine and shown talent to create turnovers.
If any of that sounds familiar, it’s because it is: Sean Davis had many of the same traits entering last year’s draft. The Steelers current strong safety was named to the NFL All-Rookie team at his position, but behind him and Mike Mitchell are the otherwise unproven combination of Robert Golden and Jordan Dangerfield.
Like the Anzalone pick, I like Johnson’s versatility to fill in wherever he may be needed. This could come in especially handy for that slot corner competition with William Gay, Senquez Golson, and Coty Sensabaugh. Gay and Golson may not even be locks to make the final roster, which means Johnson could be a quality depth addition for both the safety and corner units.
But wait, there’s more!
Johnson is also a willing and able special teams contributor, something the Steelers also desperately need. (Sign me up please!)
Round 5, Pick 29: Josh Reynolds – WR (Texas A&M)
Okay, admittedly I did this mock before the new broke of Martavis Bryant‘s “conditional” reinstatement by the NFL. That still doesn’t change my pick.
Reynolds is the big play type of receiver who could grow into being a Bryant clone. Maybe not an exact Bryant clone, but at least a big body red zone target who is capable of separation and making big plays.
The Steelers have a slew of receivers at their disposal, but I feel the addition of Reynolds could be an upgrade worth investing in.
Round 6, Pick 29: Michael Roberts – TE (Toledo)
This was a tough pick because I want a tight end, maybe even earlier in the draft, but couldn’t settle on one I was comfortable enough with versus other needs.
Ultimately this pick came down to Roberts, and Pittsburgh’s Scott Orndoff (who Eric chose in his mock draft). I see either as trading qualities, with Orndoff perhaps being the better blocker to start, but Roberts possibly having the bigger upside as a vertical threat.
He’s not going to be Ladarius Green‘s replacement, but in the sixth round, no one is.
Round 7, Pick: 30: Samson Ebukam – OLB/EDGE (Eastern Washington)
Another FCS standout, Ebukam’s workouts have raised his profile, but maybe not so much that he isn’t still lurking on the board in the sixth or seventh round.
Since I’ve addressed nearly every position, it felt natural to go back and select someone the Steelers expressed interest in, at a position of need.
I also gave consideration to drafting Utah’s Pita Taumoepenu, but I’m thinking he could be added to the roster as an undrafted college free agent anyway.
Regardless, either addition gives Pittsburgh yet another edge rushing prospect. Expectations aren’t high for seventh round picks, so if Ebukam ever ends up as a contributor, consider it a choice that paid off.
Conclusion
I’m not sold on any of these players landing where they landed, but the fact is this draft is so deep that everyone cannot go in the first round.
Or the second.
Someone has to fall, that’s the nature of the beast. If it’s a top-tier cornerback, and they’re there at pick 30, I’d find it hard for Pittsburgh to pass, especially if they believe they can get a decent edge rusher in round two.
I wouldn’t be upset if Rivers were taken first overall either, but otherwise feel that maybe they can gamble and wait. He won’t drop much past pick 62 in the second round, however.
Perine gives the Steelers their Bell backup, and Johnson is a jack of all trades who can fill several positions of need. Reynolds would make for an interesting camp competition with Coates and Heyward-Bey, while Roberts and Ebukam will compete for spots, but likely remain as practice squad players who have upside.
In all, I felt really good about these picks and would be pleased if the Steelers draft board were remotely close to this come the end of Saturday. (And I cannot wait. The suspense is killing me!)
