Welcome to my first Steelers Mock Draft of the Year. I need to be honest – I don’t love mock draft ideas before free agency. Whether it’s a stud WR like Chris Godwin or a star DT like Milton Williams, their offseason moves clearly have a big impact on their choices.
But I enjoy evaluating some of the talents that the team’s brass definitely look into. It hopefully works with me and helps some of our readers learn more about these outlooks.
I’ve only done 4 rounds here as I’m still used to the predicted backend of the class. No more trouble:
Round 1, Pick 21: Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon
Harmon is undoubtedly the most devastating run stopper in the draft, and he also has a chop that puts pressure on the quarterback. He has violent hands and a consistent motor. The Steelers have generally been a solid job of stopping the run for years, but Ravens star RB Derrick Henry exploited them last season.
Henry ran for 162 yards on 24 totes for 162 yards, lifting the Ravens in the AFC North, and winning Black and Gold 34-17. And you probably know what happened in the playoffs. Henry put Minka Fitzpatrick into another stratosphere on his way to a 186-yard game and two TDs.
Harmon faced a certain double team and registered five sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss. Simply put, he is a game changer.
Big Man, bigger motor. That’s the best way to explain Oregon’s duck IDL Derrick Harmon.
Most pressure due to DT in CFB (55)
Second pressure ratio due to DT (10.7%)
Tackle for 10.5 losses
Position flex is 1T or 3T
The second round grade, what team will draft this stud? pic.twitter.com/h7mzftzbgn
– 2025 NFL Draft (@Draftrt) January 24, 2025
Round 2, Pick 52: Elic Ayomanor, WR, Stanford
When the Steelers add a receiver, it depends heavily on their feelings about last year’s third round pick, Roman Wilson. Frankly, after missing essentially everything in 2024, I don’t know where he fits into their future plans.
Anyway, like Wilson and Calvin Austin III, they might need another playmaker on the outside
It is mainly lined up in slots.
Ayomanor is a sophisticated receiver with veteran-like fluidity in his game. He is a bully on the line of scrimmage and has great instincts. In many cases, receivers play at 100% speed per snap, but like quarterbacks, taking a step back means taking a step forward.
Sometimes you need to be grateful for wide receivers who do simple things well.
Elic Ayomanor is a very good blocker, running solid routes, winning at catch points and having sticky hands.
Very similar to Tyler Boyd/Chris Godwin Type Players for a Ceiling.pic.twitter.com/btzqipnzji
– Snoog’s Fantasy HQ (@ffsnoog) January 17, 2025
Round 3, Pick 83: Dorian Strong, CB, Virginia Tech
Listen, the Steelers have three really big needs. Ideally, you’d like to see the corners being drafted much faster, but there are plenty of holes to plug in.
He led all college cornerbacks in both yards per coverage snap (0.24) and completion rate (27.3%).
He is a long pressman corner with a smooth waist and above average ball skill. He has a tendency to jump mid-route, so he has struggled with some people in deep balls, so he needs to work on calming his approach a bit.
Overall, he would steal here.
Round 4, Pick 122: Arizona RB, Cam Skattebo
If you’re not a fan of this mock before, I wonder if this has changed your mind. Scattebo has the Pittsburgh Steelers “Aura”.
The Heisman finalist was an Arizona superstar. Last year he was ranked second in the NCAA with 1,711 rushing yards and 21 TDs.
Obviously there are questions surrounding his athletic ability. He is a bruiser, earning 3 or 4 yards in his sleep and wishing him good luck by stopping him at the finish line…but he’s quite changed the pace change with Jalen Warren. mosquito? Or is he too many Najee Harris in his game regarding lack of explosiveness?
He was born to become a Pittsburgh Steeler, but that’s what it is if it was in the early 2000s. He’s a lot of fun and I don’t doubt he’ll become a good player. You’ll prefer speed that exceeds power here.
But for now, let’s do something fun.
This mock and who is your favorite lead in the first four rounds? Let us know in the comments section!
