Mock draft season will soon be coming to an end, but for the next three weeks, it will be all the rage in NFL circles. NFL.com’s Chad Reuter released a five-round mock draft on Friday. The Pittsburgh Steelers scored a huge haul in the mock draft. If Pittsburgh’s actual draft turns out anything like this mock, it would be a massive win for the franchise.
Steelers Land Huge Haul in Latest Mock Draft
#20 – Terrion Arnold, Alabama
At worst, Terrion Arnold is the second-best cornerback in the draft. It’s difficult to imagine him being available when the Steelers make their first pick. If he is, though, it would hard for Pittsburgh to pass up on him. While most of their holes are on the offensive side of the ball, the Steelers do have a need at cornerback. Pairing Arnold with Joey Porter Jr. would have the potential to complete the Steelers’ defense in 2024 and for years to come.
The Steelers traded for Donte Jackson this offseason, but that shouldn’t prevent them from drafting Arnold if he is available. Ideally, Arnold would be the immediate starter opposite Porter on the outside. But Pittsburgh desperately needs a slot cornerback, and Arnold is versatile enough to play inside, too. Long-term, he’s an outside corner. Short-term, he’s talented enough that Pittsburgh would be thrilled to select him and use him in any capacity.
#51 – Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon
At the beginning of Steelers mock draft season, Jackson Powers-Johnson was a popular choice for Pittsburgh in the first round. His draft stock has fallen, with analysts and insiders saying NFL teams aren’t as high on Powers-Johnson as fans are. Center isn’t considered a premium position. So, despite Powers-Johnson being a complete prospect as a center, he may slide into the middle of the second round. Creed Humphrey, one of the best center prospects in recent memory, wasn’t drafted until the end of the second round.
Selecting one pick ahead of the Steelers at #50, the Philadelphia Eagles could be eager to take Powers-Johnson and hopefully turn him into Jason Kelce’s long-term replacement. The Steelers may want to trade up in this situation, depending on Philadelphia’s asking price. As their roster currently stands, Pittsburgh doesn’t have a center on their team. Powers-Johnson will be capable of starting Week 1 as a rookie, with potential to be the Steelers center for the next decade. Even with his draft stock slipping, this would still be a home run pick.
#84 – Malachi Corley, Western Kentucky
Malachi Corley is a common Steelers mock draft selection, as Pittsburgh has shown a lot of interest in him in the pre-draft process. The Steelers certainly need a wide receiver. They’re in luck, as this is a stacked wide receiver class. They could end up taking a receiver in the second round. But if they wait until the third, there’s enough talent in this class for them to still land a year-one contributor.
Corley has the skillset to immediately be the Steelers’ slot receiver. While not a great route runner, Corley is elite with the ball in his hands. If Arthur Smith can scheme him some touches, Corley will rack up YAC. Like Arnold and Powers-Johnson, there’s a good chance Corley won’t be available when the Steelers make their pick. Also like Arnold and Powers-Johnson, the Steelers couldn’t submit a ticket with Corley’s name on it fast enough if he’s still on the board at this point.
Remaining Picks
With the 98th overall pick, Reuter had the Steelers selecting Cedric Gray, a linebacker out of North Carolina. Following the Patrick Queen trade, linebacker isn’t an immediate need for Pittsburgh. It is a longer-term need, though, with Elandon Roberts set to turn 30 before the season starts and Cole Holecomb recovering from a bad knee injury and only under contract through 2025. In the fourth round, with the 119th pick, Reuter mocked Missouri offensive tackle Javon Foster to Pittsburgh. Selecting a tackle this late would be the only knock on this draft for the Steelers. But if the first three picks shake out as Reuter predicts, it would be hard to be upset.
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