Ok folks this is it.  Draft day is finally here.  We’ve heard all the rumors, read all the articles, done a million mock drafts online.  Now it’s time for the last and final Steelers mock draft 6.0.  Let’s see how many, if any, we can get right:

Round 1 (17): Darnell Wright OT – Tennessee

H/W: 6’5”/ 333 lbs

Arm: 33 3/4”

40: 5.01

Broad/Vert: 29”/114”

RAS: 9.78

Darnell Wright checks all the boxes for what the new Steelers regime seems to want in the trenches.  What sets him apart from most of the tackles in this draft is his size.  Wright is a good 30 pounds heavier than most, while maintaining incredible athleticism for his size.  Tomlin and Khan did not attend the Tennessee pro-day, but Eric Weidl did.  It’s important to note that Tennessee was the only non-local pro-day Weidl went to.

Round 2 (32): Steve Avila G/C  – TCU

This is a new name for us in the pre-draft process.  Call it a hunch, but we are betting that Steve Avila is the selection at 32.  There has been plenty of smoke regarding the Steelers interest in drafting a center in this draft. https://www.profootballnetwork.com/nfl-draft-news-and-rumors-demand-outstrips-supply-at-center/

Avila can play guard or center making him a valuable depth piece in year one.  Many believe his best tape is actually at center.  The thought being he can replace Mason Cole in 2024, if not sooner.

Round 2 (49):  Tyrique Stevenson CB – Miami

H/W: 6’0”/ 198 lbs

Arms: 32 3/8”

40: 4.45

Broad/Vert: 38”/125”

RAS: 8.93

The Steelers spent a lot of time evaluating the second tier of corners just for this scenario.  It’s such a deep class they can afford to wait, and fill in other needs early.  Stevenson was in for a pre-draft visits, and was scouted at his pro-day by Ike Taylor.

Round 3 (80): Byron Young EDGE – Tennessee

The Steelers desperately need to come out of this draft with an edge rusher.  There’s simply zero depth on this roster right now.  Byron Young would be a steal at this point in the draft.  He has a similar build to Alex Highsmith, but with far greater athleticism.  Check out our discussion about the edge class and the entire draft in general on episode 99 of the Steelers Sanctuary Podcast here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1981237/12708635

Round 4 (120): Marte Mapu S/LB – Sacramento St.

H/W: 6’2”/ 217 lbs

RAS: NA

Ok this is the point in our Steelers mock draft 6.0 where we swing for the fences.  This is a very poor safety class overall.  In Mapu, the Steelers get a hybrid linebacker/safety/nickel who can fill many needs on defense. Mapu had lots of production at Sacramento St including 6 interceptions in his last two seasons.  This would be an out of the box plan to fill a need a safety and nickel.

Round 7 (241): Evan Hull RB – Northwestern

H/W: 5’10”/ 209 lbs

40: 4.47

Broad/Vert: 37”/ 100”

RAS: 9.32

Steelers add a little speed and athleticism to the running back room.  Hull is not small either weighing in at over 200 pounds.

Round 7 (251) Stetson Bennett QB – Georgia

H/W: 5’11”/ 192 lbs

40: 4.67

RAS: 8.20

Pittsburgh seems determined to add a quarterback somewhere late in this draft.  Why not take the two time defending national champion if that’s the case.