The Pittsburgh Steelers were energetic in a length of prison wrangling so far, however something that has been the franchise’s MO is they construct from the NFL Draft. That is not going to switch beneath new normal supervisor Omar Khan.
Lately The Draft Community launched a brand new mock draft, and in it the Steelers are addressing their defensive backfield within the first around. It is not the placement chances are you’ll to start with assume with analyst Ryan Fowler having the Steelers deciding on Alabama flexible defensive again Brian Department.
“Pittsburgh wishes each a nook and a security, so why now not get a participant who can do each on this NFL Mock Draft? One in every of my favourite defenders in school, Brian Department, wins pre-snaps the place his skill to diagnose ideas for the Pink Tide was once constantly on show,” wrote Fowler. “Whilst a few of you ‘CB1’ Can scratch your head right here with need, communicate to me in a couple of years when he turns into one of the most premier defenders within the league on account of his versatility.”
Department is sensible as a Steelers draft select. No longer most effective did Department meet with the Steelers on the NFL Mix and discuss how a lot he’d like to play along Minka Fitzpatrick, he additionally fills out some wishes.
Department can play in each the slot and the field, which Pittsburgh will want. Cornerback Cameron Sutton left in unfastened company and Terrell Edmonds cannot be re-signed after the Steelers made a take care of Damonte Kazee. In 2022, Department logged 537 snaps within the slot and 123 within the field, in line with PFF.
His versatility is one thing head trainer Mike Tomlin and defensive coordinator Terrill Austin are happy with. At 6’0″ 190 kilos, Department has the perfect dimension and manufacturing to beef up his versatility. In 3 years at Alabama, Department recorded 172 tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss, 4 sacks, 4 interceptions and 27 move breakups.
On this mock draft, Fowler has the Steelers passing from most sensible cornerbacks like Joey Porter Jr. and Deontay Banks for Department. That is fascinating as a result of they have got groups at outdoor cornerback for the remainder of this two-round mock draft.
Shedding Sutton and bringing in a participant who can most effective play inside of and now not outdoor is questionable, particularly bearing in mind that the person he changed, Patrick Pietersen, is not going to get a lot tread on his tyres. Sutton has proven he is in a position to enjoying outdoor, so drafting a slot man within the first around not to pay him and now not deal with the outdoor cornerback spot with the primary 3 alternatives would really feel virtually like malpractice.
With the Steelers’ first of 2 second-round alternatives (32 total), Fowler advised them to make a choice Oklahoma take on Antawn Harrison. At 6’4″ 315 kilos, Harrison is also a bit of brief with the common NFL take on status at 6’6″. Regardless of this, Harrison was once efficient as a Faster, being named first-team All Giant-12 via each the AP and Coaches.
Fowler stated that Harrison would boost up the improvement of Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett.
“Stay Kenny Pickett instantly,” he wrote. “Anton Harrison will lend a hand the younger signal-caller succeed in his ceiling.”
Till Khan, offensive line trainer Pat Meyer, and head trainer Mike Tomlin are all satisfied that Harrison can take on within the NFL, a small take on right here doesn’t suggest a lot. After signing Nate Herbig to play guard, bringing in every other participant who can have to modify to protect does not make sense.
With the Steelers’ 3rd select, and moment select in the second one around (49 total), Fowler requested them to make a choice USC EDGE Tuli Tuipulotu.
“A flexible defender, I be expecting Tuli Tuipulotu to be moved everywhere the defensive entrance on Sunday, as he did for the Trojans,” he wrote.
Tuipulotu, 6’3″ and 233 kilos, would fill a necessity as a backup edge rusher will have to God forbid an damage to both TJ Watt or Alex Highsmith. Tuipulito made First-Staff All Pac-12 in 2021 and 2022, whilst additionally being named a Consensus All-American in 2022. He had 12 1/2 sacks and 21 tackles in 2022 on his technique to successful Pac-12 Defensive Participant of the Month. of the yr award.
Tuipulotu issues so much right here. The energy of the Steelers’ protection is their move rush, why now not give a boost to it?
Total, It’s not that i am a large fan of this mock draft. Given the strides the Steelers have taken in unfastened company to this point, they wish to deal with outdoor cornerback with certainly one of their first two alternatives, particularly if a participant like Porter Jr. is at the board at No. 17. I do not hate department. Move forward in any respect, but when the plan isn’t to draft an outdoor cornerback early, the group will have to have re-signed Sutton.
Going to the Steelers’ moment selection, Harrison may be very dangerous, particularly after signing a guard. An undersized take on that can wish to convert to protect is a dangerous transfer, and you can nonetheless desire a take on. If you will take that possibility, do it with a participant like Northwestern take on Peter Skoronski, who has proven way over Harrison.
I like the choice of Tuipulotu. This is a necessity and an overly gifted participant. If the Steelers cannot agree on a freelance extension with Alex Highsmith because the EDGE and worst case state of affairs there may be going to be no deadlock, it offers them any person to fall again on.
This mock draft virtually appears to be like adore it was once written earlier than unfastened company, even if it was once printed lately. Sooner than unfastened company, I imagine this mock draft will glance significantly better. I am not in reality keen on the way in which issues are.