In our Steelers mock draft 2.0 we will be exploring how taking a running back with the first pick will affect the rest of the draft. Javonte Williams has become our favorite back in this draft, and someone we feel could solve a lot of what’s wrong with this team’s running game. As we did in our mock draft 1.0, we have engineered a trade down. Steelers mock draft 1.0
This time we have traded pick 24 to the Atlanta Falcons for picks 35 and 68. This gives the Steelers four picks in the top 100. Let’s get started:
Round 2 (35) – Javonte Williams RB North Carolina:
We have been on the Javonte Williams bandwagon for a few weeks now, and it seems like the rest of the media is catching up. In his yearly draft conference call, Daniel Jeremiah indicated that Williams will be the number one back on his board in his upcoming rankings. https://247sports.com/Article/Javonte-Williams-Najee-Harris-NFL-Draft-2021-Daniel-Jeremiah-prefers-UNC-Alabama-running-back-162137767/
Javonte Williams is tough, physical, and explosive when you watch him on tape. He reminds us a lot of Nick Chubb, the former Georgia running back who is tearing it up for the Cleveland Browns. The Steelers have a lot of work to do to fix this run game. Drafting Javonte Williams would be a huge step in the right direction.
Round 2 (55) – Eric Stokes CB Georgia:
In our Steelers mock draft 2.0 we are not waiting to fill the corner back need. Joe Haden will be 32 years old this coming season. While he is still a serviceable corner, his best days are clearly behind him. The Steelers drafted Justin Layne in the third round in 2019, but he has shown zero signs of becoming anything useful for this team. He was beaten out for playing time by undrafted free agent James Pierre last season. Corner is an under the radar need for this team.
Eric Stokes set the draft world on fire with his incredible 4.25 forty yard dash last week. He is a coveted taller corner at 6’1” and 185 pounds. Stokes also showed the ability to make plays on the ball with four interceptions last season for Georgia. Still a little bit raw, this is a perfect selection to sit behind Joe Haden for a year and develop.
Round 3 (68) – Quinn Meinerz C Wisconsin-Whitewater
Quinn Meinerz’s rise from obscurity to a top offensive lineman prospect is remarkable. It started at the Senior Bowl where he stood out among players from much bigger schools. Meirnerz then killed at his pro day in front of 29 NFL teams including the Pittsburgh Steelers.
This team is in dire need of a center with the retirement of Maurkice Pouncey. Although the Steelers are more known for taking mainly power five conference players, this is someone this team can not ignore. Quinn Meinerz would be an excellent replacement for the Steelers future Hall of Famer.
Here is a great story on Meinerz from NFL.com: https://www.nfl.com/news/back-2-campus/mighty-quinn-how-a-d-iii-longshot-turned-into-a-top-prospect
Round 3 (87) James Hudson LT Cincinnati:
James Hudson was a four star recruit as a defensive lineman out of high school. He started his college career at Michigan before transferring to Cincinnati. That move forced him to sit out a season before finally starting at left tackle foe Cincinnati in 2020. Hudson is 6’4” and 310 pounds with an extremely athletic profile. He is still very raw, but the Steelers have experience turning defensive lineman into successful left tackles……see Alejandro Villanueva.
Round 4 (128) Charles Snowden Edge Virginia:
Charles Snowden is a 6’6” pass rusher from the University of Virginia. He is a four year starter with 15 career sacks. A tall, lanky linebacker with tons of athletic ability, Snowden will have to put on weight and add functional strength to be successful in the NFL. He is an interesting prospect this far down in the draft.
Round 4 (140) Cornell Powell WR Clemson:
I had to sacrifice my draft crush Ihmir Smith-Marsette to get the Steelers a decent left tackle prospect this time around. Cornell Powell is a nice consolation prize however at wide receiver. At 6’0”, 205 pounds Powell is a physical receiver who is expected to run in the 4.4s at the Clemson Pro-Day.
Round 6 (214) Paddy Fisher LB Nothwestern:
A repeat from our first mock, Paddy Fisher is a linebacker with some upside. He at the very least will be an excellent special teams addition for the Steelers.
Round 7 (244) Pro Wells TE TCU
Pro Wells is a former basketball player in high school who only started playing football his senior season. With good size (6’4”, 250lbs) and the athletic background of a two sport star, Wells is an intriguing tight end prospect.
Round 7 (253) Shawn Davis S Florida:
Shawn Davis adds some depth at safety while providing excellent special teams value.