P-G's final mock draft:
Round 1 (No. 20)
OL Troy Fautanu, Washington (6-foot-4, 317 pounds) — There is a chance the Steelers might need to move up to secure Fautanu, but he would be worth it. Fautanu is a smooth athlete who can slide in at right tackle and allow the Steelers to move Broderick Jones to the left side of the line. He’ll turn 24 in October, but he’s ready to play now after making 30 starts for the Huskies. The bonus is his versatility, which could come in handy if there are injuries to others on the line.
Round 2 (No. 51)
CB Max Melton, Rutgers (5-foot-11, 187 pounds) — The Steelers like to have position flexibility with their defensive backs, and Melton has experience as an outside corner and in the slot in his 40 career starts for the Scarlet Knights. Melton, who finished his college career with eight interceptions, ran a 4.39 in the 40-yard dash at the NFL combine. The Steelers have an immediate need for a starter in the slot, but with Donte Jackson under contract for only the 2024 season, they need someone who can eventually play on the outside, too.
Round 3 (No. 84)
WR Roman Wilson, Michigan (5-foot-11, 185 pounds) — Yes, the Steelers could pull the trigger on a receiver earlier, but the talent pool at the position is so deep this year they can afford to wait until the third round to get a quality player like Wilson. Tomlin took a liking to Wilson at the Senior Bowl, and while he did not take a top-30 visit to the Steelers, Tomlin and Khan did attend his pro day. Wilson had limited production because Michigan had a run-first approach, but his 4.39 40-yard dash time would give the Steelers two burners on the outside who can threaten defenses deep down the field.
Round 3 (No. 98)
DL Maason Smith, LSU (6-foot-5, 306 pounds) — Smith has the prototypical size and length the Steelers desire in their five-techniques. A five-star recruit coming out of high school, Smith never played up to his billing with the Tigers, but he still has all the tools needed to be a force in the NFL. He just needs some time to develop. The Steelers can give him that time. Cam Heyward is under contract for one more season, and Smith can learn behind one of the best in the business before taking over for him in 2025.
Round 4 (No. 119)
C Hunter Nourzad, Penn State (6-foot-3, 317 pounds) — When to draft a center is definitely something NFL teams struggle with. The Steelers certainly could get one earlier, especially if they believe Graham Barton is a special player, but they might have to wait until late in Day 2 or early on Day 3 to get one. Nourzad originally played for Cornell before transferring to Penn State, where he started 21 games over the past two seasons. By the way, Khan said for the umpteenth time on Monday that they have Nate Herbig and some others on the roster who can play center.
Round 6 (No. 178)
S Tykee Smith, Georgia (5-foot-10, 202 pounds) — Smith doesn’t have the desired size for a starting safety, but he could have a role in the NFL as a hybrid safety/linebacker in sub-packages. Smith tested well at the combine, running a 4.46 in the 40-yard dash, and he has tenacity to make an early impact on special teams.
Round 6 (No. 195)
ILB Jaylan Ford, Texas (6-foot-2, 240 pounds) — The Steelers don’t have an immediate need at inside linebacker because they signed Patrick Queen in free agency, but they do have to plan for life without Elandon Roberts, who is entering the final year of his deal. Ford projects as a run-stopping linebacker, and he can push Mark Robinson for a roster spot. Robinson was a seventh-round pick in 2022 and hasn’t developed as quickly as the Steelers had hoped in his first two NFL seasons.
