Now that the NFL draft combine has concluded, it is time for us at Steelers Sanctuary to do our first Steelers mock draft. The only glaring need this team has going into the draft is at tight end. There is a strong possibility that Vance McDonald may be cut for salary cap purposes. Setting the odds on Steelers players returning for 2020 Without him, the tight end group would consist of just Zach Gentry, making this position top priority.
Other positions of need include offensive line, defensive line, and edge rusher to name a few. Adding speed to the offense is also a high priority for the Steelers. Steelers offense has a need for speed. Keeping all this in mind, let’s jump right into the Steelers mock draft version one:
Round 2: Denzel Mims – WR – Baylor
Numbers:
6’3” – 207lbs
4.39 40 yard dash
Vertical 38.5” – Broad 131”
3-cone 6.66
The Skinny
Denzel Mims may very well have tested himself out of the Steelers range at pick 49. For now at least, he is still barely within their grasp if things were to break right. Mims had a very good Senior Bowl, to go along with his elite testing at the combine. https://247sports.com/Article/2020-NFL-Draft-Baylor-Bears-Football-receiver-Denzel-Mims-shoots-up-Pro-Football-Focus-board-after-Senior-Bowl-142814438/
This is exactly the Z-type receiver the Steelers offense is lacking. A tall, deep threat who could open things up for the offense.https://youtu.be/OjKoK9s5rOE If Denzel Mims is still on the board when the Steelers pick, they should sprint to the podium to turn in their card.
Round 3: Al Okwuegbunam – TE – Missouri
Numbers:
6’5” – 258lbs
4.49 forty yard dash
The Skinny:
Albert Owkuegbunam (this name is going to be a problem!) ran an incredible 40 yard dash in under 4.5 seconds. That is a remarkable number considering he is a nearly 260 pound tight end. It was so good in fact, Albert O decided against doing any other testing at the combine. He correctly decided the 40 yard dash was impressive enough to up his draft stock.
That kind of speed doesn’t show up on tape however. There wasn’t much production to speak of either in 2019. Okwuegbunam had only 26 receptions for 306 yards in his junior season. Some of that can be chalked up to poor quarterback play at Missouri. His stats were considerably better before Drew Lock left for the NFL. This a player the Steelers had a formal meeting with at the combine. Add that to the team’s need at tight end, and there is a good chance this is the selection in round three.
Round 4a: Jonah Jackson – G – Ohio St.
The Numbers:
6’3” – 306lbs
5.23 – 40 yard dash
26” Vertical – 98” Broad
28 reps on bench
The Skinny:
Jonah Jackson did not test off the charts at the combine, but didn’t hurt himself either. Considering this isn’t a very strong draft class at the interior line position, this would be as good as it gets at the end of round three. Jackson moves well on tape despite his testing. That’s a trait the Steelers like in their guards. He is a tick small, but should still meet the team’s criteria for offensive lineman. We all know how much this team likes Ohio St. players as well. This is a little bit of a shot in the dark, but until we see more player meetings for the Steelers this is our pick.
Round 4b: Darrynton Evans – RB – App. St.
The Numbers:
5’10” – 203lbs
4.41 40 yard dash
37” Vertical – 125” Broad
The Skinny:
Darrynton Evans is a small school kid with big time athleticism. He offers something different for the Steelers running back room in terms of speed and big play ability. Evans could take over the role currently held by Jaylen Samuels, adding a very different element with his game.https://youtu.be/Fu0V3vpkB90
Round 6: DJ Wonnum – EDGE – South Carolina
The Numbers:
6’5” – 258 lbs
4.73 40 yard dash
34.5” Vertical – 123” Broad
7.25 3-cone
The Skinny:
DJ Wonnum fits the mold physically of what the Steelers look for in an edge rusher. His SPARQ score should be very good with the way he tested at the combine. This is something Pittsburgh really likes when choosing it’s defensive players in the draft. Steelers value SPARQ score when evaluating draft prospects Even though Wonnum lacked production in college, he is worth a shot here in the sixth round.
Round 7: Robert Windsor – DT – Penn St.
The Numbers:
6’4” – 290lbs
4.9 40 yard dash
28.5” Vertical – 111” Broad
21 reps on bench
The Skinny:
In the seventh round you are looking for any trait at all that can make a player standout. Robert Windsor has the frame the Steelers like in their defensive lineman. He also tested adequately at the NFL combine. Windsor is certainly worth a seventh round flyer to provide depth along the defensive line.