It is now less then one week away from the NFL combine.  That means it is time for our Steelers mock draft 2.0.  We have done considerably more film study at this point, and have zeroed in on some potential prospects the Steelers might like.  This mock again goes on the assumption that this franchise will add a veteran quarterback this off-season.

Round 1: Treylon Burks WR, Arkansas

The Steelers suffered from a lack of big time play makers last season.  Chase Claypool failed to be a consistent deep threat as he regressed some in 2021.  Treylon Burks solves all Pittsburgh’s big play deficiencies in one draft pick.  He is big (6’3”), and explosive with some estimates having 4.3/40 type speed.  One look at his highlight package tells you all you need to know about this prospect. https://youtu.be/OK6UfTLFrCI

The Steelers are guaranteed to come out of this draft with at least one, if not two wide receivers.  They currently only have Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool under contract heading into 2022.   Treylon Burks would give this offense the home run threat it so desperately needs.

Round 2: Tyler Smith OT, Tulsa

“Huge”.  “Mean”.  “Mauler”.  “Road grader”.  Those are just a few terms used to describe Tulsa tackle Tyler Smith.  If any team in the NFL could use a player with those traits, its the Pittsburgh Steelers.   Some have him pegged as a guard at the NFL level, either way this is a player who could really help the Steelers beleaguered offensive line.

Round 3: Mario Goodrich CB, Clemson:

This is a repeat from our mock draft 1.0.  Steelers mock draft 1.0: The way too early version  Goodrich just screams Steelers with his physical nature at corner back.  He was not credited with a single missed tackle in 2021.   We can see the Steelers brass falling in love with this corner prospect.

Round 4: Leo Chenal LB, Wisconsin

The Steelers have had some pretty good success with Wisconsin linebackers in the recent past.  They go that route again to help their 32nd ranked run defense this time.  Leo Chenal is a 250 pond tackling machine.  There is some who believe he will test very well at the combine, which could make him a legit three down linebacker.  Regardless, Chenal steps in right away along side Devin Bush on early downs to greatly improve the run defense in 2022.

Round 6: Dominique Robinson EDGE, Miami OH

We couldn’t go through our entire Steelers mock draft 2.0 without at least one MAC player.  Kevin Colbert and company love the MAC, and have drafted a player from this conference almost every year.  Dominique Robinson just recently switched to the defensive line, having played tight end his first few seasons at Miami of Ohio.  He is raw, but should make an excellent developmental edge rusher for the Steelers.

Round 7a: Josh Johnson WR, Tulsa

Yes you are reading this right, that is two receivers to the Steelers in this draft.  Pittsburgh stands to lose three wide outs from the 2021 squad via free agency.  Ju Ju Smith-Schuster and James Washington are almost certainly gone, while Ray-Ray McCloud is a give or take type of player.  We heard a nugget this week that the Steelers scouts love Johnson, even going as far to comparing some of his traits to Antonio Brown.  Keep a close eye on whether or not the team has a strong presence at the Tulsa pro-day.

Round 7b: Master Teague RB, Ohio St.

Najee Harris led the entire NFL in touches last season, and very few of them were easy ones.  He simply can not keep up that type of production if the Steelers expect him to last very long.  Master Teague is big man at 5’11” and 225 lbs, exactly how the Steelers like their backs.  He also possesses above average speed to go along with that size.  A lack of real playing time, and a significant injury history pushes him down in this draft.  He could be quite the bargain as a number two back for the Pittsburgh Steelers.