Pittsburgh Steelers Mock Draft: 7-Round Predictions, Post-Combine
The NFL Scouting Combine wraps up in Indianapolis on Monday, concluding one of the draft season's major events. However, teams already have well-established draft boards based on what the players put on film during their collegiate seasons—the combine only serves to confirm what teams already know.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have clear needs in this year's draft, primarily on defense, where they are expected to move on from a number of veterans. So it's not hard to put together a post-combine seven-round mock draft for the team.
Here are players the Steelers may target in each round of the 2015 NFL draft.
Round 1, Pick No. 22: CB Trae Waynes, Michigan State
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There may be no more pressing need for the Pittsburgh Steelers in this year's draft than cornerback. Veteran Ike Taylor isn't likely to be re-signed, Cortez Allen found himself benched as the 2014 season played out and there is not much promising depth on the roster presently.
The Steelers can easily meet this need with Michigan State cornerback Trae Waynes. Waynes has 101 career tackles, 1.5 sacks, six interceptions and 13 passes defensed in his collegiate career, including three interceptions and eight passes defensed in 2014.
NFL.com's Lance Zierlein notes that Waynes "[l]oves to compete in man-to-man and is mentally tough. Asked to play on an island and did so successfully," adding that he's a "[b]ump-and-run specialist," has the "[r]ecovery speed to make up for separation," and "[e]xcels in deep, man coverage and can be smothering."
Waynes likes to grab receivers, a bad habit he needs to break or else he'll draw considerable penalties in the NFL. But he's a form-tackler with the ideal combination of size and speed. The Steelers need a shutdown corner, and Waynes can be that from day one.
Round 2, Pick No. 24: OLB Hau'Oli Kikaha, Washington
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Pass rush is another area in which the Steelers are weak at present, with James Harrison and Arthur Moats both unrestricted free agents, leaving them with just Jarvis Jones on the roster. It's inevitable that the Steelers add at least one outside linebacker this year through the draft.
Washington's Hau'Oli Kikaha fits that bill completely, though he would be a situational pass-rusher only for the Steelers. He's not much of a run defender, but that's not what the Steelers need this year. They need someone who can get after quarterbacks, and Kikaha can certainly do that, leading all of college football with 19 sacks in 2014 and totaling 36 in four years with Washington.
NFL.com's Lance Zierlein says that Kikaha "is the most accomplished pure pass-rusher in this draft class. [He] [r]elies on a relentless motor off the edge more than athleticism. He has an elite determination to get to the quarterback" and notes his background as a judo champion giving him experience with "hand placement and leverage."
Kikaha could easily be a first-round prospect this year, but he already suffered two ACL injuries. However, if the Steelers are medically comfortable with Kikaha, they could get a highly talented player at a relative bargain late in Round 2.
Round 3, Pick No. 23: RB T.J. Yeldon, Alabama
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When LeGarrette Blount walked out on, and was ultimately released from, the Pittsburgh Steelers, everything was fine—until it wasn't. The Steelers were content to have Le'Veon Bell assume all running (and many receiving) duties, and he did so successfully, until he injured his knee in Week 17, leaving the Steelers scrambling before the playoffs.
The Steelers need to bolster their depth at running back, giving the team insurance should Bell get injured again and a change-of-pace replacement even when Bell is fully healthy. Though that change-of-pace job often falls to a different-style back than the starter, the Steelers would be smart to take Alabama's T.J. Yeldon, a back in th Bell mold, instead.
NFL.com Lance Zierlein's scouting report on Yeldon sounds like he is describing Bell: "Exceptional hips and foot quickness," "Quick, decisive reads on zone plays," "Creative runner showing innate feel for running lanes," "Effortless lateral movement," and "Above average out of backfield and after the catch," could all describe the Steelers' leading rusher.
As such, Yeldon rushed 576 times in college, for 3,322 yards and 37 touchdowns, averaging 5.8 yards per carry, and he caught 194 passes for 979 yards and 11 more scores.
But Yeldon isn't Bell in certain ways, which makes him a backup to the outstanding third-year player. He had 10 fumbles in college and doesn't have as much strength as his size would indicate. Still, he fits exactly what the Steelers want to do at the running back position. Yeldon would be a great No. 2 behind Bell.
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Round 4, Pick No. 22: TE Jesse James, Penn State
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Though it's dangerous to use the scouting combine alone to rocket players up a draft board, Penn State tight end Jesse James turned enough heads at the combine to make him a viable mid-round pick for the Pittsburgh Steelers this year, especially with incumbent veteran Heath Miller not getting any younger.
James did not catch a ton of passes at Penn State, with just 78 career receptions for 1,005 yards and 11 touchdowns. He had 38 catches for 396 yards and three scores in 2014. However, at 6'7" and 261 pounds, he has red-zone threat written all over him. Combine that with his ability as a blocker and James could prove to be a successor for Miller in either 2016 or 2017.
NFL.com's Lance Zierlein is a bit reserved about James, saying that though he "[c]an make the occasional spectacular, one-handed catch," and "[c]ontinues to maneuver around within his area to uncover and present an open target to the quarterback," he also "[g]ets hung up against jams at line of scrimmage and against physical defenders within his routes," and is "[i]nconsistent adjusting to poorly thrown balls and making the tough catch."
Still, as an in-line tight end for much of his career, that is to be expected. James has time to work on his receiving technique while spending time on the field in his rookie year as an extra blocker. If the Steelers think he can develop over the course of his first year, then James would be a smart use of their fourth-round pick.
Round 5, Pick No. 24: S Cody Prewitt, Mississippi
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It's possible that in a month's time, the Troy Polamalu era might be over in Pittsburgh. In addition, fellow safety Will Allen is an unrestricted free agent. If both should depart, the Steelers only safeties will be Mike Mitchell, Robert Golden, Shamarko Thomas and Ross Ventrone, with only Mitchell having significant on-field experience in the Steelers' defense.
Clearly, Mississippi safety Cody Prewitt cannot provide NFL experience, but he does provide promising depth at a steal in Round 5. A four-year starter, Prewitt totaled 247 tackles, 14 tackles for a loss, 1.5 sacks, 12 interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), 16 passes defensed and five forced fumbles in his collegiate career.
NFL.com's Lance Zierlein says that Prewitt "has an instinctual feel for route progressions." He "[d]oesn't panic in zone coverage," "[c]an play the "robber" spot and run with crossing routes. And "[w]ill surprise on tape with his closing burst on the ball."
So why is Prewitt a fifth-rounder? Mainly because he isn't a dominant athlete, and, while he tackles well, he "isn't going to send any messages with his hits." Zierlein believes that Prewitt "[b]enefited from attacking defensive front and aggressive cornerbacks."
The next Troy Polamalu, he is not. But Prewitt wasn't a four-year starter in the SEC by accident. Further, he has played gunner on special teams, giving him immediate value to the Steelers as he adapts to their defense. Eventually, he could start.
Round 6, Pick No. 23: OLB/DE Lynden Trail, Norfolk State
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Because the Steelers are so thin at outside linebacker, it would not be surprising if they took a chance in Round 6 by selecting Norfolk State's Lynden Trail. A pass-rusher originally with Florida, Trail transferred to Norfolk State after Urban Meyer left, believing he'd have more playing time elsewhere.
Trail totaled 255 tackles in his four-year career, including 41 tackles for a loss. He also has 18 passes defensed—a boon for the Steelers, who often use their outside linebackers in coverage—and 19.5 career sacks.
Trail is "still very raw," as NFL.com's Lance Zierlein points out, adding that the "[t]ape fails to show a relentless play demeanor and majority of production comes from size and athleticism." He continues that Trail is "[u]nskilled and inconsistent with hands and can get 'beat up' by tackles because of it," potentially owing to Trail having played wide receiver in high school.
Still, Trail "has length and versatility to become imposing player with more experience, coaching and toughness." He also has the upside of that receiving background—he took snaps at tight end on the goal line at the Senior Bowl. Trail looks like he could be coached-up in Pittsburgh to be an impact player down the line.
Round 7, Pick No. 22: DB Craig Mager, Texas State
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The Steelers require more than just one cornerback and one safety in this year's draft to round out their depth, so why not select a player who can potentially do either job? That's why Texas State's Craig Mager seems like a strong seventh-round pick to close out the Steelers' 2015 draft class.
Mager has a combined 160 tackles, eight tackles for a loss, two sacks, 31 passes defensed and seven interceptions in his four years as a Texas State starter.
NFL.com's Lance Zierlein says of Mager that he "[p]lays with excellent fire and motor throughout the game" and that he "[l]oves to hit." He describes Mager as a "[q]uick-twitch athlete with plus play strength and sudden change of direction" and that his "[f]eet rarely stall and has NFL ability to click and close on throws."
It's Mager's lack of speed that has him projected to go so late in this year's draft—and also projected by an NFC director of player personnel with whom Zierlein spoke to be a safety on the NFL level.
However, Mager "plays with the aggressiveness and competitiveness that defensive coordinators will love." He'd make a great depth addition for the Steelers in Round 7 and could even be a starter in the future—at either safety or cornerback—despite his draft pedigree.
All NFL Scouting Combine data courtesy NFL.com unless otherwise noted.
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