Steelers mock draft 1.0: Adding offensive playmakers and filling needs on defense

Now that the confetti has rained down from the rafters and the Lombardi Trophy has been awarded, its time for everyones favorite part of the year: mock draft season.

As we dive deeper into the pre-draft process, lets get started with my first mock of the year.

The Steelers have several obvious needs, especially at wide receiver, defensive line and defensive back.

Today, were addressing all of those areas early.

Advertisement Whether the Steelers choose to trade George Pickens or not, theyll need to add more talent to their wide receiver room.

While Egbuka has already been linked to the Steelers often (including in Dane Bruglers most recent mock draft ), I wanted to get my pick on the record, because this is a realistic possibility.

A five-star recruit out of high school, Egbuka twice racked up 1,000-plus receiving yards (2022 and 2024) during four seasons at Ohio State, thanks to his excellent hands and ability to create yards after the catch.

An ankle injury slowed his 2023 campaign, which explains the dip in production.

Egbuka did most of his work out of the slot in college, but his 6-foot-1, 205-pound frame gives him enough bulk to play on the outside as well.

This pick would either provide a nice complement to Pickens or begin a transformation at the position.

It would also be the Steelers first time drafting a receiver in Round 1 since Santonio Holmes in 2006, although the Eagles invested three first-rounders in receivers (Jalen Reagor and DeVonta Smith, plus A.J.

Brown via trade) when Steelers assistant GM Andy Weidl was in Philadelphia.

GO DEEPER Steelers mailbag: What would George Pickens return in a trade? Who to blame for OL woes? Also considered: Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri; Matthew Golden, WR, Texas; Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon; Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss; Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan If the Steelers want to win football games in the trenches, they need to think about more than just the offensive line and start investing in the defensive line, too.

The team has one piece of the future in 2023 second-round pick Keeanu Benton.

But the 35-year-old Cameron Heyward wont be able to play at an All-Pro level forever, and Larry Ogunjobi is a cut candidate, given the Steelers can save $7 million by parting ways.

Advertisement At 6-5 and 320 pounds, Collins has the frame to eat up space and blockers in the physical AFC North.

His mother played basketball at Texas and evidently passed along some athleticism, as Collins shows light feet for a big man on film.

Because Collins played various spots on the defensive line, he could be either a true nose tackle or a 3-4 defensive end in the NFL.

Like many defensive linemen, hell need to continue to refine his pass rush plan to be a three-down player but would make an instant impact on run downs in the base defense as a rookie.

Also considered: Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky; TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State; T.J.

Sanders, DT, South Carolina; Darius Alexander, DT, Toledo You can pick your flavor in a deep and talented running back class.

The Steelers might be intrigued by backs with bigger body types like Iowas Kaleb Johnson or Ohio States Quinshon Judkins.

They could also consider a determined runner like Arizona States Cameron Skattebo, who has already become a Steelers fan favorite.

But I think the organization should learn a lesson from Najee Harris lack of burst and instead select a running back with home run potential.

A track star in high school who was clocked at 22-23 mph on the Catapult system at Tennessee, Sampson should be one of the fastest backs at the NFL Scouting Combine.

Hes also a schematic fit for the Steelers, as he excels in a zone-blocking offense, where he can make one cut and use his electric speed to his advantage.

While he has the late speed to run away from defenders and is a good receiving threat out of the backfield, hes also plenty physical and durable.

In the rough-and-tumble SEC, Sampson led all ball carriers with 1,491 rushing yards and 22 rushing touchdowns in 2024, both of which were Tennessee single-season records.

Just as importantly, he showed a nice mix of dependability (SEC-high 258 attempts) and efficiency (5.8 yards per carry).

He toted the ball 20-plus times in eight games.

He never fumbled in three seasons and doesnt turn 21 until September.

The Steelers often like to draft younger players who have more room for growth in the middle rounds.

Sampson also seems like a high-character individual, as his high school football coach joked he had a higher GPA (4.4) than 40-yard dash time (reportedly 4.32 in high school).

GO DEEPER Steelers big board 1.0: Prospects who would fill major needs in Rounds 1 and 2 Note: The Steelers picks beyond Round 3 have not been set yet.

At 5-10 and 195 pounds, Parrish isnt in the same mold as the so-called avatar cornerbacks the Steelers drafted in 2023: Joey Porter Jr.

and Cory Trice Jr.

But dont let his size dissuade you.

Hes a former state champion sprinter (clocked in at 10.47 in the 100 meters) who embraces the physicality of press-man coverage.

Advertisement The Steelers already have one candidate to start opposite Porter in Trice.

In a free agency class thats deep at this position, they also might be wise to find a veteran to compete.

The idea here is Parrish could begin his career in the slot before challenging for more playing time on the outside as his career continues.

Considering the Steelers are in sub packages 80 percent of the time, having a reliable nickel corner is more important than ever.

The only question is whether Parrish will still be around after a strong Senior Bowl has him rising on draft boards.

If the Steelers want to build a deep defensive front that comes at opponents in waves, it might take more than one defensive lineman in this years draft.

Mills could be the ideal Day 3 pick in that mold.

After beginning his career as an edge rusher, he added some weight to get to 6-5 and 295 pounds and transitioned to the interior defensive line.

A season-ending knee injury might give some teams pause, but it also could push him down the board enough to put him in range for the Steelers.

As a Day 3 pick, Mills wouldnt be counted on as an immediate contributor.

With Heyward ahead of him, he could use the time to refine his technique and add more bulk to his frame as he continues his position change.

Hed bring a nice mix of a productive college player who could develop into more.

Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smiths run-heavy, tight-end-friendly offense would be a perfect fit for the Pitt product.

Bartholomew has the versatility to align with his hand in the dirt as an inline blocker or in the backfield, as Smith often asks his tight ends to do.

His blocking ability could make him a replacement for MyCole Pruitt, even if his lack of suddenness keeps him from being an immediate weapon in the passing game.

Gray played three seasons at tackle before transitioning to guard as a senior.

That versatility is critical at this point in the draft, where the Steelers will be looking for a depth piece who will start as a backup and try to turn into more.

At 6-4 and 229 pounds, Wright brings impressive measurables to the secondary.

He had six interceptions, 20 passes defensed and 179 tackles during his five-year college career.

At this point in the draft, the Steelers would be looking for body types to use on special teams and developmental pieces for the future.

(Photo of Emeka Egbuka: Jason Mowry / Getty Images).

This article has been shared from the original article on theathleticuk, here is the link to the original article.