2015 Steelers Mock Draft: Early Offseason 7-Round Projections

Even though the season has ended for the Pittsburgh Steelers, things never really slow down. Yes, Pittsburgh was eliminated by the Baltimore Ravens 30-17 in the Wild Card Round of the NFL playoffs but, with the season over, attention simply turns to how to improve this franchise for next season.

Pittsburgh was able to parlay several good rookie performances out of their 2014 class, but overall, this group may go down as the class that could have been much more. Obviously you cannot write them off after only one season, but there is always room to improve.

So, having said that, it is time for the first offseason mock draft for the Steelers. This will follow all seven rounds with one pick in each, based on the Steelers having the No. 22 pick. This number is significant, because one area of need is a pass-rushing outside linebacker. With so many teams also looking to add an edge player, the Steelers will need to be careful not to just draft for need if it means getting a player who could be had later.

This draft class looks to be deep while not exactly top-heavy, so read on and see how the Steelers can make the best use of those seven selections. Oh, and yes, there are three defensive backs in seven picks. Sorry, but no more hedging bets on a single fifth-round cornerback to fix the secondary. If I could have squeezed in another outside linebacker, I would have done that as well.

Unless specified, prospect data courtesy of the college football section of Sports-Reference.com. 

First Round

The Pick: Marcus Peters, CB Washington

There is some risk in considering Washington cornerback Marcus Peters in the first round. After being dismissed from the University of Washington, there will be questions about his character. However, assuming that he is able to put NFL teams' minds at ease about his work ethic and commitment to football, his talent will be in great demand.

Peters has an ideal NFL frame (5’11", 190) and a tremendous package of coverage skills. Peters is a gifted man-cover corner with impressive instincts and fluid hips. Peters displays elite ball skills and play recognition, and he is more than willing to go up and get the football. In addition, Peters is an excellent run defender. Peters has shown the ability to quickly diagnose the play, and the strength and athleticism to finish.

Second Round

The Pick: Nate Orchard, DE/LB Utah

Moving into Round 2 the Steelers address their second primary need on defense with edge-rusher Nate Orchard from Utah. Orchard has been one of the most productive pass-rushers in all of college football, and it is accomplished by a nice package of skills. While Orchard might lack the elite explosion of the top players in this draft, it is his ability to win beyond the first step that makes him interesting.

Orchard has great get off, but in addition he is powerful and shows nice lateral agility. Orchard’s ability to rush to the outside hard at the snap then crash back across the face of the tackle makes him a real challenge for blockers. Orchard is strong enough to anchor against the run, but it’s his ability to be disruptive in the backfield that the Steelers will covet.

Third Round

The Pick: Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, CB Oregon

Coming back to the third round, if Oregon cornerback Ifo Ekpre-Olomu is on the board, they must pull the trigger. Ekpre-Olomu was considered a near lock for a first-round selection until a knee injury late in the season ended things in the worst possible way. It’s tough to speculate if Ekpre-Olomu will be ready for the start of the season, but regardless, his talent is too good to pass up here.

Where Ekpre-Olomu excels is in technique. Lacking the elite size that so many teams are after, the Oregon star uses his eyes well to break down the play and rock-solid technique to shadow his defender. Ekpre-Olomu is also strong in zone coverage where his short-area quickness allows him to break on the football and knock the ball down.

Fourth Round

The Pick: Stefon Diggs, WR Maryland

You would think with a group of wide receivers as deep as the Steelers have, wide receiver wouldn’t be an issue. However, Pittsburgh is not afraid to trot out three or four wide receivers on any given play. That means even with a depth chart that consists of Antonio Brown, Markus Wheaton and Martavis Bryant there can be improvement. Uncertainty around the rest of the group means another wide receiver here makes sense.

Maryland’s Stefon Diggs is one of the fastest wide receivers in the nation. However, his game is more than just running the go, so to speak. Diggs is actually a nice fit with the short and intermediate crossing routes, as well as the variety of screens the Steelers like to run. Diggs is a little slight, but he does a nice job avoiding big hits, a la Brown.

Fifth Round

The Pick: Karlos Williams, RB Florida State

Running back could be a position the Steelers choose to fill via a cheap veteran. However, if they do not sign a player as depth behind star running back Le’Veon Bell, getting Florida State’s Karlos Williams would be an excellent consolation prize. Williams fell out of favor at FSU this year due to the emergence of Dalvin Cook.

Nevertheless, at 225 pounds with good pad level, Williams has all the makings of a clone of former Steelers running back LeGarrette Blount, only without the attitude. Williams doesn’t have the talent to be a full-time running back, but his mix of power and speed would be an excellent package to spell Bell during stretches of games.

Sixth Round

The Pick: Terry Williams, DT East Carolina

You probably haven’t heard of ECU defensive tackle Terry Williams, but you will. The squatty nose tackle is one of the beefiest prospects in the draft. At 6’1” and 353 pounds, Williams brings the term “playing low to the ground” to a whole different level. Not the quickest or most nimble of guys, he has decent arm length and enormous power making him so difficult to block.

The Steelers have struggled to find continuity at nose tackle this year with Steve McLendon and Cam Thomas. Daniel McCullers has nice potential, but Williams is a different kind of beast. He is six inches shorter than McCullers but close to 20 pounds heavier. If this team wants to have someone who can plug the middle and stuff the run, Williams might be just what they need.

Seventh Round

The Pick: Julian Wilson, S Oklahoma

By the time you get to the seventh round, all form of strategy sort of goes out the window. You look for athletes, high-upside guys with concerns or versatile players who underperformed. The Steelers are going to need to add at least one safety this offseason, and Oklahoma’s Julian Wilson is well worth a flyer this late in the draft.

Wilson has moved between every spot in the Sooners secondary during his career and has a very well-rounded skill set. His size is great (6’1”, 201), and he should time well. Wilson is solid in man coverage and does a sound job diagnosing run plays. His game is sort of good but not great in all phases, but he is very coachable and doesn’t make big mistakes. And as you can see by the video above, he is a hammer and brings it on every play.