Steelers 7-Round Mock Draft 2.0: Let’s Get Wild
Ever wonder just how crazy the Steelers could get this offseason with seemingly everything on the table when it comes to the NFL Draft? That’s what we’re exploring in this Mock Draft, with a wild assortment of trades and selections that would have the Steelers’ roster turning over at high-impact positions and taking full advantage of this year’s intriguing draft class, while also improving their ability to work the phones in next year’s home-town event to get their QB of the future.
So let’s dive into this wild Steelers 7-Round Mock. The goal was to create havoc, but make it realistic. You tell me how I did:
PRE-DRAFT TRADES:
Steelers trade WR George Pickens to Chiefs for Pick 66 in the 2025 NFL Draft
Yes, I know Mike Tomlin recently said the plan is to have both Metcalf and Pickens on the roster in 2025, but the Steelers have thrown their support behind polarizing players before only to move on from them for the right price (see: Kenny Pickett, Diontae Johnson). Even though it’s a conference rival, getting an early 3rd-Rounder for Pickens would be worthwhile return and give PIT extra capital to replace him in the Draft.
Steelers trade S Minkah Fitzpatrick to Panthers for Pick 57 in the 2025 NFL Draft
The Panthers need playmakers on Defense, and Fitzpatrick is still only 28 years old and would provide instant veteran leadership and savvy on the back-end. There were some rumblings at the end of 2024 that both Minkah and the Steelers were mutually frustrated with each other, and with the team’s very clear interest in this year’s Safety crop, a parting of the ways could be in the works.
2025 NFL DRAFT:
TRADE! Bills send Picks 30 and 132, along with a 2026 2nd Rd. Pick for Pick 21
ROUND 1, PICK 30
EMEKA EGBUKA | WIDE RECEIVER | OHIO STATE
With George Pickens gone via trade, WR becomes the biggest need for the Steelers. While I would like to see PIT keep Pickens, if they decide to move on from him to recoup draft capital lost in the DK Metcalf trade, they’ll need a do-it-all WR2. Egbuka can play inside and outside as a physical but nuanced route runner with sure hands. I’d be okay with a Pickens for Egbuka trade off.
The trade back with BUF nets PIT a 2nd in next year’s draft and another 4th in this year’s. The Steelers add more draft capital for their pursuit of a QB in 2026 while still picking up an impact starter at WR and another mid-round selection to help the squad in this Draft.
ROUND 2, PICK 57 (FROM PANTHERS)
XAVIER WATTS | SAFETY | NOTRE DAME
In another direct response to a projected trade, the Steelers need a new centerfielder at Safety after moving on from Minkah Fitzpatrick to get back into the 2nd Round. PIT was present at Notre Dame’s Pro Day and have been spending plenty of quality time with some of the top Safeties in this class. In this scenario, they land Watts, whose range, ball skills, and field awareness would be a perfect fit to help replace Fitzpatrick, who seems to have lost a step the last couple of years.
ROUND 3, PICK 66 (FROM CHIEFS)
KALEB JOHNSON | RUNNING BACK | IOWA
I see Kaleb Johnson, who does a bunch of things well but doesn’t necessarily possess any singular elite trait, falling a little in this Draft. The sheer number of quality RBs in this class means someone will fall, and if it’s Johnson, you can bet the Steelers will be all in on his skillset. Johnson has the vision and one-cut ability to thrive in Arthur Smith’s wide-zone scheme, and he is far more explosive than the last big-bodied RB the Steelers drafted.
ROUND 3, PICK 83
DARIUS ALEXANDER | DEFENSIVE TACKLE | TOLEDO
You may be wondering how the Steelers could wait this long to address the DT position, but it’s another deep group in this Draft and after my pre-Draft trades, DT fell down the “team needs” power rankings a little bit. With their original 3rd Rd. pick, the Steelers add an explosive and versatile interior defender with excellent athleticism and the ability to affect both the run and the pass. Alexander has great length to control blockers at the point of attack and wins consistently converting speed to power. He’s got the body type the Steelers look for, and would be a solid developmental heir apparent to Cam Heyward.
ROUND 4, PICK 123
J.J. PEGUES | DEFENSIVE TACKLE | OLE MISS
One of the most unique players in this draft, Pegues is a compact, twitchy interior pass rusher with quick feet and a fast get-off. Once he gets you off-balance as a blocker with his quickness, he can win with a surprisingly powerful bull-rush with natural leverage and strength from his compact frame. He also moonlights as a bulldozing lead blocker and short yardage back on the offensive side of the ball. PIT brought him in for a Top 30 Visit. Don’t be surprised if he ends up wearing Black and Gold.
ROUND 4, PICK 132 (FROM BILLS)
QUINN EWERS | QUARTERBACK | TEXAS
Once considered the top overall QB prospect in the nation coming out of High School, Ewers college career has been up a rollercoaster due to injury and inconsistent performance. Still, he displays good touch and anticipation as a passer, and although he lacks high end arm strength and velocity on his throws, he’s coming off a great rebound season at Texas. If he’s still available in the 4th, he’s a fine mid-round dart throw for the QB-needy Steelers.
ROUND 5, PICK 156
DONT’E THORNTON, JR. | WIDE RECEIVER | TENNESSEE
One of the favorite players of my Steelers Fix and Draft Dynasty Podcast partner Andrew Wilbar, Thornton is a tall, lanky, and speedy receiver in the mold of Martavis Bryant. Watching Thornton’s highlight reel is a repetitive saga of go balls, posts, slants, and comebacks, but he is really good on those routes. You won’t see really any contested catches on his tape, and he’s not a physical runner after the catch. Think DK Metcalf light. With Metcalf as the X, Egbuka primarily operating as the Z, and the combination of Calvin Austin III and Roman Wilson handling slot duties, Thornton could provide quality depth behind Metcalf as the reserve X receiver.
ROUND 6, PICK 185
JACK NELSON | OFFENSIVE LINEMAN | WISCONSIN
Nelson is a fun projection as an NFL swing tackle with great size and length. He has a nasty streak in the run game, where his athleticism allows him to get to the second level with ease, either as a puller or on double-teams. As a pass blocker, though, he can struggle to anchor against power rushers and needs to improve his ability to use his natural length as leverage. Can play either tackle spot, and the Steelers need a swing tackle and a developmental prospect at the position should Broderick Jones struggle to settle in at LT beyond 2025.
ROUND 7, PICK 229
FADIL DIGGS | EDGE | SYRACUSE
The last couple rounds of the Draft are all about adding developmental talents with high-end traits, and that’s exactly what Diggs offers off the edge. At 6’4” and 260lbs, Diggs has exceptional get-off and good bend as a speed rusher to get to the QB. Despite his rare physical tools, an overall lack of production in college makes him more of a projection at this time, but if you’re trait-hunting in Rd. 7, you could do worse than add this type of athleticism to the back end of your roster.
not a fan of trading minkah (a known talent) to draft a direct replacement (unknown talent) when we are not in cap trouble.
This is wild indeed. Not so much the draft, but the trades prior to the draft.
I’d be shocked if one of these happen, let alone both. Not saying I’d be against it, but just the realist sees these as unlikely.
I’m okay with the haul garnered in this mock, even though it’s unlikely.
I fully concur. Although my scales tip at trading Minkah. I just (personally) wouldn’t do it. It’s that simple. Otherwise, I can see the Pickens trade, I can see the small (still in the 1st) trade down. But, I’m a big fat no on Minkah.
That said, I like the aggressive approach and the thinking behind the mock. Well done Jeremy!
Not bad. Most likely will not trade Minkah or Pickens. I can see the only WR taken in the first round would be Golden if available. The number one need going in is DL and I doubt Alexander is there in the third round. I could see a double up on Dline but I do like the Kaleb Johnson pick.
Wild draft but I think you made the team worse not better. Remember the draft is about improving the team not winning the draft.
The move I want to see made is trading 21 to Jacksonville for 36, 88, 126. I think that gives you a chance to really build the roster plus grab a later QB who might be good.
“Remember the draft is about improving the team not winning the draft.”
Thank you.
A lot of people that get really into the draft sometimes lose sight of this along the process. I’m not saying that’s what happened here, but that’s something that should constantly be reminded for people.
Mock drafts are hard enough to actually get something right. Throwing in trades to accurately depict what’s going to happen, especially outside of the top five picks, is an exercise in futility. There are so many more possibilities of a trade than there are players who could be taken in that spot it makes it another factor that simply can’t be predicted.
If I’m being fair to Jeremy, I think this mock draft is an attempt to make the team better. Look at it this way, they are moving on from Pickens, who may or may not be back next year. He is a young man with immense talent, but has maturity issues (I know we all do at his age). They are moving on from Fitzpatrick who hasn’t seemed like himself for a year or two now. Is he on the backside of his career, or is it that he hasn’t been allowed to do what he does best because of other problems? Otherwise, Jeremy seems to hit on all the needs with some pretty good talents, and while the team is moving on from proven talents for unknowns, if you never shoot your shot, you’ll never make it.
Now that said, I might quietly shop Pickens, I might even shop Fitzpatrick just to see what is out there. Again, nothing wrong with testing the waters if possible. But I wouldn’t move on from either easily. Trading down is something we hear every year, and it never happens, as it takes two to dance, and there is always someone willing to tango for the right price. I just think it happens that the Steelers rarely have the right price (not that they are asking too much, but they don’t have enough collateral). But hey, the right partner comes along and magick happens.
Like this very much except for the Minkah portion. Even if the Steelers wanted to do this, I don’t understand why a team in Carolina’s current state would want to sink that much money into a veteran free safety.
Jeremy just wanted an excuse for Egbuka :p
Being serious, I love the craziness of this. I’m am 100% in the boat of moving on from Pickens. I can’t trust him to put it all together. It would still be scary to lose 2 guys as talented as Pickens and Minkah, but I think this was a fun draft to read! You nailed the “havoc” part. Realistic, idk. That would be insane. Never say never… but never. Go Steelers
The Steelers do not trade away really good players on rookie deals, why on earth would they do it for a third rounder? This is wishful thinking from the Pickens bashers.
Minka? Sure he’s a big cap number. Pickens is not, and if he walks and signs a big deal they could get the same third round pick in a comp pick the following year. I can’t see where they put themselves right back into WR purgatory after last year.