Mock Draft 1.0: Steelers Land Two Stars With Massive Trade
PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers are two stages through their NFL Draft process, but still have a long way to go. That being said, the NFL Combine left a feel of which direction this team will go with their draft picks and what positions they have their eyes on. The Steelers had some surprises in Indianapolis, avoiding some of the top centers in the draft class but focusing on other positions not many had high on their boards. Things will change, and prospects will rise and fall on their draft board, but right now, here’s how their NFL Draft should shake out. ROUND 1, PICK 20: ARMAIUS MIMS, OT, GEORGIA Leaving the NFL Combine, no prospect made more sense for the Steelers than Mims. Broderick Jones’ former teammate and another Georgia Bulldog. Mike Tomlin loves his Georgia Bulldogs.
Mims is a true right tackle who would allow Jones to move back to the left side. He’s 6’8 and as massive of a human being as they come. He did suffer a hamstring injury during the NFL Combine, but if everything is good to go before his Pro Day, the Steelers should be in love with this prospect. He feels like the perfect fit and exactly what the Steelers are looking for when it comes to solidifying their offensive line. ROUND 2, PICK 33: KOOL-AID MCKINSTRY, CB, ALABAMA Trade: Steelers receiver pick 33. Panthers receive pick 51, 121, and 2025 fifth-round pick. With two picks back-to-back in the fourth round, the Steelers make a trade to jump to the top of the second round. There, they allow themselves to go after another cornerback, selecting McKinstry out of Alabama.
Watching McKinstry work at the NFL Combine, it was clear as day that he was a Steelers cornerback. He’s tall, lengthy and physical. Pittsburgh isn’t going to get their hands on Quinyon Mitchell, who is their top choice in this draft, but McKinstry brings a lot of potential. With the opportunity to make their starting cornerbacks young and dangerous, Omar Khan makes a move. ROUND 3, PICK 84: BRADEN FISKE, DT, FLORIDA STATE The Steelers want to add to their defensive tackle room this offseason with Cam Heyward nearing the end of his career and Larry Ogunjobi approaching the end of his
contract. They won’t jump the gun and draft someone early, but they could use their first mid-round pick to add a big man on defense. Fiske impressed at the NFL Combine and is on Pittsburgh’s radar, according to league sources. He ran a 4.78 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, but weighed a little less than teams will like him to (292 pounds).
