Noah Nichols Steelers 7-Round Mock Draft 2.0

Pick 52: Jalen Pitre DB Baylor 

Pitre is an excellent safety prospect who can do everything for the Steelers. He’s played FS, SS, ILB, and even OLB for the Baylor Bears. His biggest strength is run defense, but he does not lack coverage abilities. Standing at 5”11, 198 pounds, he isn’t built like a linebacker, but he plays like one.

He’s a great scheme fit for the Steelers, and his versatility offers something that Terrell Edmunds never did. He’s not above average when he’s playing single-high, but he can do it better than anyone else on the Steelers roster, and there’s room to improve. He reminds me of a certain Honey Badger, who Steelers fans are in love with, but better against the run.

Pick 84: Troy Andersen LB Montana State

Troy Anderson is the most versatile player in the 2022 NFL draft. I like the sound of that. Anderson is the defensive version of Taysom Hill.

Heck, he played quarterback, running back, and linebacker in college.

While I’m sure Tomlin isn’t looking for his quarterback of the future here, he is looking at one of the most athletic linebackers in the draft.

Anderson has the ability to do everything well. He’s got the size at 6”4, 233 pounds, the speed, and the length. Aside from offering Matt Canada the ability to mix in some packages with Anderson, he would likely need to redshirt his rookie year. As athletic as he is, he’s relatively new to the linebacker position and needs to sit and learn the game.

Still, he’d be a special teams’ demon, and in year 2, could take over for Devin Bush, or Myles Jack. You can never have enough linebackers, and Anderson has the potential to be the best (inside) linebacker on the Steelers roster in a few years. 

Pick 138: Alec Pierce WR Cincinnati 

If you told me that the Steelers could have two Chase Claypool’s on their roster, after the draft, I’d say yes in a heartbeat. Pierce is 6”3, 213 pounds, so he’s a bit (27 pounds) leaner than Claypool. Still, he has all the traits Claypool does, albeit in a smaller frame.

Pierce is a competitive blocker, great at high-ponting catches, a deceptive route runner, and can play anywhere on the field. Pairing him with Olave, Claypool, and Johnson would give the Steelers the most talented receiver room in the NFL. No defense would be able to roll out enough cornerbacks to cover all those guys, and I’d almost feel bad for them.

Pick 208: Matt Hankins CB Iowa

Hankins could be a steal or he could be another Justin Layne. That’s what happens when you take players in the 6th round. Hankins has all the tools he needs, though he’s a little slight, weighing in at 175 pounds. As a result, he tends to miss a game here or there, including 13 games from 2018-to 2021. He fits the zone scheme the Steelers run, makes plays on the ball, and is more than willing to lay himself out for a tackle.

He’s got the mean-spirited tackling mentality Tomlin loves in his corners, and in two years, Hankins could be a starter if he reaches his ceiling. In the meantime, he can play in sub-packages, special teams, and fill in for Sutton, Witherspoon, and Wallace. Again, the theme of this draft is taking talent and weapons, and Hankins fits that mold.

Pick 225: Ty Chandler RB North Carolina

Chandler is one of my draft crushes. I love his big-play ability, contact balance, tenacity in pass protection, and the lack of wear on his treads. He’s purely a weapon and will push Snell or McFarland off the roster. I think his ability to be more than adequate in pass protection, while subtle, is a huge plus for him.

The Steelers can feel confident leaving him in on third downs, forcing defenses to respect his speed, while knowing that if the Steelers choose to pass, Trubisky isn’t going to get killed for it. Oh, and Najee Harris would be able to come off the field every once and awhile. For a full review of Chandler, check out this Twitter thread.

Pick 241: James Mitchell TE Virginia Tech

A smooth athlete with terrific hands, ball skills, and body control, Mitchell is simply another weapon. He won’t ever be a great blocker, but that’s ok. He’s a developmental tight end. And he doesn’t just play tight end. He can line up in the backfield, slot, return punts, and even (heaven forbid) play quarterback. Versatility is his second name.

I think his ability to play wherever coaches need him will allow him to be an early contributor on offense. He has the potential to become the second fiddler to Pat Freiermuth, and a darn good one at that. While he can improve his blocking technique, it will probably never be his strong suit. Usually that spells doom for tight ends, but this guy can play anywhere, and I think that lands him a roster spot, if not a starting special teams role.

Recap:

Versatility is the name of the game and boy did I get some players who can just play football, no matter where they line up on the football field. I love this draft, both because of the weapons I was able to acquire, and because the more I think about it, the more I think the Steelers could end up taking some of these players. No offensive lineman? Who cares? I doubled down on WR, took a RB and a TE, and doubled down on DB’s. 

Weapons are first priority in today’s NFL, and the Steelers would have more than plenty with this draft.