The bulk of the offseason work is done for the upcoming NFL draft.  The combine is long done, and the pro day circuit has come to a close.  That means it is time for our Steelers mock draft 3.0.  We do include a trade in this mock, but not one that has been used often in other mocks. We have the Steelers trading back in round two with the 49ers from 51 to 63, and in the process picking up pick 135.

For this mock draft we are going on the assumption that Omar Khan still plans on bringing in a veteran to fill that position.  We just cant envision a scenario where this team goes into the draft with such a glaring need.  How he will do this is anyone’s guess, but we believe there will be a veteran player acquired before the end of April.  With all that said, here we go:

Round 1 (20)

Amarius Mims OT – Georgia:

i would love to surprise you with some out of left field pick here, but this one just makes too much sense.  Amarius Mims is a massive tackle prospect (6’7”, 340lbs), with elite athleticism for his size (9.64 RAS). He is a natural right tackle, which expedites the move of Broderick Jones back to his preferred left tackle spot.  Mims and Jones would give the Steelers two dominant book end tackles for years to come.

The one weakness here is Mims relative inexperience.  He has only eight starts in his college career.  This makes him a bit of a risk for such a high draft choice.  The upside to this player is just too high to pass up however.  If Amarius Mims is on the board at 20, the Pittsburgh Steelers run the card up to the podium and never look back.

Round 2 (trade 63):

Xavier Legette WR – South Carolina:

The Steelers have a rather large hole at WR2 after trading away Diontae Johnson.  Xavier Legette is just the kind of player who this team would like to fill that void.  Legette tested off the charts at the NFL combine.  He ran an incredible 4.39/40 at 221 pounds.  This is the kind of size/speed receiver teams dream about. Legette averaged almost 18 yards a catch in his final season at South Carolina despite being their only real threat on offense.  Pairing him with George Pickens will give Pittsburgh a formidable duo at wide receiver.

Round 3A (84)

Mike Sainristril CB – Michigan

The Steelers sent just about everyone to the Michigan pro day so we had to come away with at least one Wolverine.  Mike Sainristil fills a giant hole as the team’s starting slot corner in 2024.  He’s a little small at 5’9, and 180 pounds, but his fierceness on the feild makes up for his size.  He has become a popular pick in Steelers mocks, and with good reason.  This is one of the picks we have the most confidence in for our Steelers mock draft 3.0.

Round 3B (98)

Maason Smith DT – LSU

Maason Smith is our lone holdover from our mock draft 2.0 Steelers mock draft 2.0: Post combine edition

He has become a popular name since then, being connected to the Steelers quite often.  The reason being he is one of the few defensive tackles with the size (6’5”, 306lbs) that this team covets at this position.  Smith had a down year in 2023, but has the potential to be a home run at this point in the draft.  Pittsburgh must start preparing for life after Cam Heyward, and Larry Ogunjobi.  Keeanu Benton is a great start, and Maason Smith could be the finishing piece for a rebuilt defensive tackle position in 2024 and beyond.

Round 4 (119)

Trevin Wallace LB – Kentucky

Stop me if you’ve heard this before, an exceptional athlete at linebacker with questionable instincts?  Trevin Wallace scored a 9.32 RAS score, but his instincts for the position have been questioned.  Unlike a certain first round pick who shall remain nameless, Wallace will only cost a 4th round pick.  The Steelers have shown a lot of interest in linebackers during this process sending LB coach Aaron Curry to several pro days including Kentucky’s.  It seems a good bet that this team will take a linebacker in this draft, Wallace is as good a guess as any.

Round 4b (trade* 135)

Tanor Bortolini C – Wisconsin

I know what you’ve been thinking to this point, when the hell is he going to take a safety in this Steelers mock draft 3.0?? Well here you go.  Tanor Bortolini scored a whopping 9.75 RAS score making him one of the best athletes of any center in the draft.  https://ras.football/ras-information/

He is still a project however, and will need to sit behind a veteran for at least a season.  Bortolini also has some guard experience making him a good depth piece for the Steelers offensive line.

Round 6 (178)

Malik Mustapha S – Wake Forest

The Steelers could use some safety depth, and they have showed some interest in Mustapha.  VP of player personnel Dan Rooney Jr was on hand to watch him workout at the Wake Forest pro day.  Mustapha will be a name to keep an eye on in day three of the draft.

Round 7 (195)

Travis Glover OT – Georgia St.

Pittsburgh showed interest in Glover sending assistant line coach Isaac Williams, and director of scouting Dan Colbert to his pro day.  This is a decent shot in the dark with upside at a premium position like tackle.