SG 2016 Steelers Mock Draft

This mock draft is what I think the Steelers will do and how I think the board will fall. 

Aimed for realistic picks rather than dream picks. 

Round 1: Keanu Neal (Safety) - Florida 

The Steelers address one of their biggest needs immediately. Say what you want about Neal, but nobody can deny he's one of the biggest hitters in this draft. Neal has the swagger and hard-nosed style Tomlin covets. He has the tackling skills to help in run support and the athletic ability to drop into coverage. Teaming Neal with Mike Mitchel gives Kieth Butler an athletic safety duo that I know he'll have fun with. Neal will be able to come in and have an instant impact on the secondary with his playmaking ability. 

The Steelers have shown a lot of interest in Neal, both attending his pro day and bringing him to Pittsburgh for a visit. The Steelers also tend to draft in the first round one of the top 2 positions they brought in for a visit. 

Round 2: Javon Hargrave (Defensive Tackle) - South Carolina State

If you follow my tweets, you should know that i've been adament about the Steelers not addressed the defensive line in the first round. The 2nd round is perfect for the Steelers to address the position. Because of the depth of the defensive line class, a great player is sure to fall to the Steelers.

Hargrave perfectly fits the mold of the kind of defensive tackle Tomlin is seeking. He's a player who will be able to both play nose tackle and also be used as a pass rusher in nickel looks. Talented, undersized defensive tackles fall in the draft each year, and the Steelers will be beneficiaries of that this year. 

Round 3: Yannick Ngakoue (EDGE) - Maryland 

Many analysts have the Steelers going with wide receiver this round or next. I think drafting an edge rusher follows the same logic of drafting a wide receiver. The position is fine this year but next year the cupboard will empty, so we need to draft a mid-round guy to develop. 

Ngakoue is a great candidate to sit for a year in order to bulk up, learn the defense, & improve his technique. In a year when we're likely without Jarvis Jones & James Harrison we'll have him ready. Ngakoue has all the tools but just needs time to put it all together, making him a perfect 3rd round pick. 

The Steelers didn't bring in him for a visit, but Joey Porter attended his pro day and put him through a multitude of drills. The Steelers tend to draft at least one player they didn't visit with in the top 4 rounds. 

Round 4: Jonathan Jones (Cornerback) - Auburn 

Yeah I know, another addition the Steelers elven secondary. Jones can ball though. He compensates his 5'9" height with a blistering 4.33 40 yard dash. Throw in instincts, willingness in run-support, & ball-skills and you have a great cornerback despite his height.

Similar to fellow shorty Senquez Golson, Jones is versatile enough to play both the slot and outside. Steeler nation may groan when they see the Steelers draft another tiny cornerback, but come game-day they certainly won't be complaining. 

Round 6: Jay Lee (Wide Receiver) - Baylor  

Jay Lee fits the mold of the Steelers recent methodology of drafting wide receivers. He has the height/weight/speed to excel in the league, but he's an extremely raw route-runner and has inconsistent hands. This description sounds familiar... (Sammie Coates & Martavis Bryant). Like Coates & Bryant, Lee will need time to develop and ideally would turn into another Steelers mid-late wide receiver gem. 

Round 7a: DeAndre Elliot (Cornerback) - Colorado State 

Another year another double-dip at cornerback. DeAndre Elliot is a raw player, but has ideal measurable's. If he is able to develop, his height and length would be a great asset for our vertically challenged secondary. 

Round 7b: Caleb Benenoch (Offensive Tackle) - UCLA

With their final pick in the draft, the Steelers take a developmental offensive lineman. Benenoch shows the tools and ability, but needs to gain strength and develop his technique. The Munchak magic could help him become a solid swing-lineman for the Steelers. 


Thanks for reading!