Nicastro: Final Steelers Mock Draft 4.0

I tend to think anyone who likes to practice the mock draft game overthinks the crap out of this stuff. We're all guilty of it. I liken it to a March Madness bracket. Who the hell knows what's going to happen? We have no idea. Yet, we wrack our brains trying to come up with the perfect formula, just to have Florida Atlantic make the final four.

There are twists, there are turns, and there are sure to be burns, from all of the readers out there. Enjoy.

Round 1, Pick 17: Broderick Jones, OT Georgia

I wrestled with this pick, but ultimately if the Steelers stay at 17, I think it will be an offensive tackle - Jones or Darnell Wright. Wright has made like Seabiscuit in recent weeks, and I think has pushed ahead of Jones. I had him going to the Jets at 15 in my 3-round mock.

Jones is one of the most athletic lineman in the draft, but he’s extremely raw, having started for only one season. However, coming from Georgia, he won’t need much time to adjust to the competition, provided he practiced against an NFL defensive line in college, which included Jordan Davis, Travon Walker, and Jalen Carter - three Bulldogs 1st round picks. Dan Moore Jr. then becomes the swing tackle, and Kenny Pickett has his left tackle for the next decade.

Steelers assistant GM and overseer of the draft, Andy Weidl, is on a mission to build through the trenches. He's shown that in free agency, signing lineman Isaac Seumalo and Nate Herbig. And it's what he did in Philadelphia. Weidl spent six seasons in scouting, including the last three seasons as VP of player personnel for the Super Bowl runner-up. Last season, his first two picks were DT Jordan Davis, and OT Cam Jurgens. So I think that's the main priority once more....

Round 2, Pick 32: Mazi Smith DT, Michigan

How damn cool is it that the Steelers own this pick? I think the most fun we will have as a collective nation of fans will be the 16 or so hours after the first round concludes, leading up to pick 32. The speculation will be overwhelming.

With Smith, Andy Trenches strikes again.

I can hear you already. "No defensive backs in the first two picks?!" The fact of the matter is, the Steelers have three major holes to fill. Defensive back, defensive line, and offensive tackle. They will draft those players based on value, not need, like they always have.

Smith is versatile and powerful. He’s a perfect fit in the 3-tech, and can even play some zero. And Mike Tomlin reportedly LOVES him. So much so that he met with him twice in one week. 

Round 2, Pick 49: Trenton Simpson, LB Clemson

I don't know how we got here either, folks. Now I really hear you with the no corner thing. The Steelers are pining for a cornerback here. It's arguably their biggest need, and they've bypassed it twice. In the aforementioned mock draft I just completed, Miami CB Tyrique Stevenson and Michigan CB DJ Turner are on the board.

But so are linebackers Jack Campbell, Drew Sanders, and Trenton Simpson. I sat here in agony debating what they'd do. But ultimately, they go with the value over need, which is generally what this organization has always done.

So which linebacker? Well, that also may surprise you, as they elect for the Swiss-Army knife in Simpson. I'd rather have Sanders and Campbell in that order. But Simpson has that sexy new sideline to sideline speed. He's a hybrid safety and linebacker in my eyes, and I thought he had GLARING tackling problems on film. However, he can really cover running backs and tight ends. That's something the Steelers have been missing for a while, and new starting ILB's Elandon Roberts and Cole Holcomb are more of your classic run-stoppers.

Round 3, Pick 80: Darius Rush, CB South Carolina

FINALLY!! The Steelers catch a break here, as a player I've frequently mocked to them falls into their laps late in round 3. Darius Rush is someone they've had multiple meetings with, including a pre-draft visit to the Burgh. The Steelers check the cornerback box at pick 49 with a poor man’s Joey Porter Jr. 

Rush is tall and rangy and has drawn comparisons to Cowboys CB Trevon Diggs, because he’s a recently converted wide receiver that can really play the ball when it's in the air.

Many are more familiar with his counterpart Cam Smith, who at one point was potentially the top ranked CB in the country, however when you flip on the tape, Rush flashes. He played in a zone coverage scheme at South Carolina, so he fits the Steelers corner profile in terms of scheme relevance. He’s a relatively raw prospect, which bodes well for him to learn under a veteran like Patrick Peterson's tutelage for a year.

Round 4, Pick 120: Nick Herbig, OLB Wisconsin

Herbig is the Najee Harris and Connor Heyward of this year's Steelers draft. I know everyone and their mother's has Herbig mocked to the Steelers at some point. I don't care.

An outside linebacker from Wisconsin? Say less. And oh by the way - he's also the little brother of the aforementioned new Steelers offensive lineman, Nate Herbig. The city of brotherly loves seems to be moving west.

Herbig is what you’d simply call a pure pass rusher off the EDGE, and also an off-the-ball linebacker. The guy has a high motor and can attack the QB with a bevy of creative moves. He had 20 sacks and 75 pressures over the past two seasons. That should tell you all you need to know.

With the Steelers showing interest in Bud Dupree, and the potential that Alex Highsmith won’t be back after his contract year in 2024, because the Steelers have so much $ tied into their defensive core, it’s time to start planning for the guy who’ll opposite TJ Watt. 

So why not TJ Watt… lite? 

Round 7, Pick 234: Daniel Scott - S California

Scott could go higher than this, but many teams will be scared off by his age. He will be 25 this season. Scott, a pre-draft visitor, opened some eyes at the combine, running a 4.45 forty - second fastest among safeties. He also was a captain at Cal, so he's someone with strong leadership qualities. Scott could be a really solid special teams player right out of the gate, and who knows, with Tre Norwood's struggles last season, he could push for playing time in year one.

Round 7, Pick 241: Yasir Abdullah - OLB Louisville

Yasir Abdullah is one of the most underrated players in this entire draft class. He's undersized, standing a tad over 6' feet, which is why he's getting pushed down the board. He was incredibly productive at Louisville, recording 18 combined sacks the past two seasons, and over 40 QB hurries.

I'm quite familiar with Abdullah for two reasons.

1. He absolutely wrecked the Pitt Panthers last season. In a 24-10 win, he recorded seven tackles, a sack, a forced fumble, and had an interception. At that time, I'm not kidding, I thought he had the makings of a 1st round pick.

  2.  I lived in his house. Yes, really. You can't make that shit up.

I couldn't think of a more perfect way to end this mock draft. I'll let your mind run haywire, just as mine has these past three months.

Last year I nailed two picks, DeMarvin Leal and Connor Heyward. The year before, of course I nailed Najee Harris. And in 2021, yeah, I did predict Chase Claypool (I have receipts.)

My luck is due to run out. But let's be honest - we're all lucky to be able to have this much fun.