2016 Pittsburgh Steelers Mock Draft

My Mock:

Version 1.0

1st Round (25th Overall Pick) - The Steelers select...

Jalen Ramsey - S/CB - Florida State University - 6'1" - 204lbs - Projected 40 time 4.50

2nd Round (58th Overall Pick) - The Steelers select...

William Jackson - CB - University of Houston - 6'2" - 175lbs - Projected 40 time 4.58

3rd Round (89th Overall Pick) - The Steelers select...

Yannick Ngakoue - OLB - University of Maryland - 6'2" - 255lbs - Projected 40 time 4.82

4th Round (120th Overall Pick) - The Steelers select...

Austin Johnson - DE - Penn State University - 6'4" - 324lbs - Projected 40 time 5.22

7th Round (197th Overall Pick) The Steelers select...

Nate Sudfeld - QB - Indiana University - 6'6" - 240lbs

7th Round (214th Overall) The Steelers select...

Connor McGovern - OG - University of Missouri - 6'4" - 304lbs

Version 2.0 (March 5th, 2016)

1st Round (25th Overall Pick) - The Steelers select...

Eli Apple - CB - Ohio State University - 6'1" - 199lbs -  40 time 4.40

2nd Round (58th Overall Pick) - The Steelers select...

Darian Thompson - S - Boise State University - 6'2" - 208lbs -  40 time 4.69

3rd Round (89th Overall Pick) - The Steelers select...

Henry Crieger-Coble - TE - University of Iowa - 6'3" - 248lbs -  40 time 4.82

4th Round (120th Overall Pick) - The Steelers select...

Yannick Ngakoue - DE - University of Maryland - 6'2" - 252lbs - 40 time 4.75

7th Round (197th Overall Pick) The Steelers select...

Nate Sudfeld - QB - Indiana University - 6'6" - 240lbs

7th Round (214th Overall) The Steelers select...

Connor McGovern - OG - University of Missouri - 6'4" - 304lbs

Mock Draft 1.0

1st Round (25th Overall) - Kendall Fuller (CB) - Virginia Tech
2nd Round (58th Overall) - Su'a Cravens (LB/S) - USC
3rd Round (89th Overall) - Austin Hooper (TE) - Stanford
4th Round (120th Overall) - Graham Glasgow (OG) - Michigan

http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-mock-draft/2016/2/15/10899032/mock-nfl-draft-database-2016-tendencies-experts?ref=yfp

What I think will happen:

1 (25): Noah Spence, OLB, Eastern Kentucky
2 (58): Joshua Garnett, OL, Stanford
3 (89): Karl Joseph, SS, West Virginia
4 (120): Austin Johnson, DL, Penn State

What I want to happen:

1 (25): Kendall Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech
2 (58): Darian Thompson, S, Boise State
3 (89): Vernon Butler, NT, Louisiana Tech
4 (120): Jaylon Smith, ILB, Notre Dame

PhantomJB93 wrote:

What I think will happen:

1 (25): Noah Spence, OLB, Eastern Kentucky
2 (58): Joshua Garnett, OL, Stanford
3 (89): Karl Joseph, SS, West Virginia
4 (120): Austin Johnson, DL, Penn State

What I want to happen:

1 (25): Kendall Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech
2 (58): Darian Thompson, S, Boise State
3 (89): Vernon Butler, NT, Louisiana Tech
4 (120): Jaylon Smith, ILB, Notre Dame

I'd like what you want to happen too

I'll do this for my mock. Its still a huge stretch, but mayyybe possible.

1st round - Vernon Butler, NT
2nd round - Will Jax III, CB (was more likely before his combine)
3rd round - Keanu Neal, FS
4th round - Alex McCalister, DE

1st Eli Apple CB
2nd Tyvis Powell S
3rd Javon Hargrove DT
4th Harlin Miller CB
7th Clayton Callicutt DE

1 (25): Andrew Billings, DT, Baylor
2 (58): Joshua Garnett, OL, Stanford
3 (89): Jonathan Jones, CB, Auburn
4 (120): Nick Vannett, TE, Ohio State

At first I wanted Hunter Henry but I have changed my mind after what Colbert said during the combine:-

1) After the combine, I'm sold that Billings could fill the NT need AND be a rotation DE to keep Heyward and Tuitt fresh.

2) I think Garnett would be a value and need pick. OG is always overlooked in the first round and I think Garnett is a 1st round talent. Not as polished as DeCastro but the ceiling is as high.

3) The DB class is deep and the talent level between late first round and third round is very small this year IMO. I also think that they will address the safety need through FA. As much as lots of Steelers fans don't like about his size, Jonathan Jones fits what the Steelers are looking for - good tackling, fast and from a strong conference.

4) TE is a need but not a pirority given how good the WR group is. And no TE stood out in the combine. In this pass happy league Vannett may drop to the 4th round as he's more of a blocking TE at this stage.

Henry Krieger Coble screams Steelers to me at TE and should be available 3rd, 4th, or maybe 5th Round.

The Steelers have received a Compensatory 6th Round pick from the Josh Scobee disaster.

http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/nfl-pittsburgh-steelers-news/2016/3/11/11207002/pittsburgh-steelers-receive-6th-round-compensatory-pick-in-2016-nfl

UPDATED - Post William Gay, and Ladarius Green signings.
Version 3.0 (March 12th, 2016)

1st Round (25th Overall Pick) - The Steelers select...

Keanu Neal - S - University of Florida - 6'1" - 216lbs -  40 time 4.62

2nd Round (58th Overall Pick) - The Steelers select...

William Jackson - CB - University of Houston - 6'2" - 175lbs -  40 time 4.37

3rd Round (89th Overall Pick) - The Steelers select...

Yannick Ngakoue - OLB/DE - University of Maryland - 6'2" - 252lbs -  40 time 4.75

4th Round (120th Overall Pick) - The Steelers select...

Jihad Ward - DE - University of Illinois - 6'6" - 296lbs - 40 time 5.11

6th Round (Compensatory Pick) The Steelers select...

Connor McGovern - OG - University of Missouri - 6'4" - 304lbs

7th Round (197th Overall Pick) The Steelers select...

Nate Sudfeld - QB - Indiana University - 6'6" - 240lbs

7th Round (214th Overall) The Steelers select...

Deandre Reaves - WR - Marshall University - 5'10" - 175lbs - 40 Time 4.49

up dated

1st Mackensie Alexander CB Clemson

2nd Joshua Perry OLB Ohio State

3RD Miles Killbrew SS Southern Utah

4th Willie Beavers OT Western Michigan

6th Antwaun Woods DT USC

7th Lawrence Thomas DE MSU

7th Keanu Neal FS Florida

effyou515 wrote:

up dated

1st Mackensie Alexander CB Clemson

2nd Joshua Perry OLB Ohio State

3RD Miles Killbrew SS Southern Utah

4th Willie Beavers OT Western Michigan

6th Antwaun Woods DT USC

7th Lawrence Thomas DE MSU

7th Keanu Neal FS Florida

Neal falls to the 7th round?

KeepHarrisonTilHes92 wrote:

effyou515 wrote:

7th Keanu Neal FS Florida

Neal falls to the 7th round?

That would be nice wouldn't it!

UPDATED - After Steve McClendon signs with the NY Jets, and Kelvin Beachum signs with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Version 4.0 (March 16th, 2016)

1st Round (25th Overall Pick) - The Steelers select...

Keanu Neal - S - University of Florida - 6'1" - 216lbs -  40 time 4.62

2nd Round (58th Overall Pick) - The Steelers select...

Vernon Butler - NT - Lousiana Tech - 6'4" - 323lbs -  40 time 5.33

3rd Round (89th Overall Pick) - The Steelers select...

Carl Nassib - DE - Penn State - 6'7" - 277lbs -  40 time 4.84

4th Round (120th Overall Pick) - The Steelers select...

Deiondre Hall - CB - University of Northern Iowa - 6'2" - 199lbs - 40 time 4.68

6th Round (Compensatory Pick) The Steelers select...

Connor McGovern - OG - University of Missouri - 6'4" - 304lbs

7th Round (197th Overall Pick) The Steelers select...

Nate Sudfeld - QB - Indiana University - 6'6" - 240lbs

7th Round (214th Overall) The Steelers select...

Deandre Reaves - WR - Marshall University - 5'10" - 175lbs - 40 Time 4.49

IowaSteeler927 wrote:

UPDATED - After Steve McClendon signs with the NY Jets, and Kelvin Beachum signs with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Version 4.0 (March 16th, 2016)

1st Round (25th Overall Pick) - The Steelers select...

Keanu Neal - S - University of Florida - 6'1" - 216lbs -  40 time 4.62

2nd Round (58th Overall Pick) - The Steelers select...

Vernon Butler - NT - Lousiana Tech - 6'4" - 323lbs -  40 time 5.33

3rd Round (89th Overall Pick) - The Steelers select...

Carl Nassib - DE - Penn State - 6'7" - 277lbs -  40 time 4.84

4th Round (120th Overall Pick) - The Steelers select...

Deiondre Hall - CB - University of Northern Iowa - 6'2" - 199lbs - 40 time 4.68

6th Round (Compensatory Pick) The Steelers select...

Connor McGovern - OG - University of Missouri - 6'4" - 304lbs

7th Round (197th Overall Pick) The Steelers select...

Nate Sudfeld - QB - Indiana University - 6'6" - 240lbs

7th Round (214th Overall) The Steelers select...

Deandre Reaves - WR - Marshall University - 5'10" - 175lbs - 40 Time 4.49

I met Nassib at the Bronko Nagurski awards. Very humble kid. I also spoke with James Franklin (Penn St head coach) and he had such high praise for Nassib's character and drive to succeed. Little known fact, Nassib was never a starter prior to Penn State. He was a walk on. There's something that reminds me of Aaron Smith ... lengthy guy, kinda quite, but very effective on the field. Add 25 pounds and he might just be a good DE for the Steelers. At 6' 6" he's got the height the Steelers have been adding to their d-linemen.

I think Dieondre Hall is going to be an awesome CB in the NFL. He's tall with extremely long arms. He'll fall back a bit because his 40 time sucked, but let's face it, some guys just struggle running out of that stance ... there's a difference in lining up in a sprinter's stance with your arm back and just running on the fly. This might be more a deal on how fast he played on the tape. 4th round would be a steal. Xavien Howard is very similar ... tall guy with long arms who didn't put up great speed at the combine. Both guys are big corners who move well and don't hesitate to come up and make a hit.

Like your mock Iowa and would be extremely happy if those first 4 rounds see guys drop back to the Steelers. Although I would probably swap your 7th round pick of Sudfeld for another CB. Maybe Fabian Moreau. But I've never correctly picked a 7th rounder for the Steelers

Not my official mock.

I went to fanspeak and got this defense heavy draft. I'd take it in a heartbeat.


25: R1 P25  DT   ANDREW BILLINGS  BAYLOR

58: R2 P27   S   KARL JOSEPH  WEST VIRGINIA

89: R3 P26    OLB   JAYLON SMITH  NOTRE DAME

124: R4 P25    CB   DEIONDRE' HALL  NORTHERN IOWA

221: R6 P45    OLB   VICTOR OCHI  STONY BROOK

230: R7 P8   WR   MALCOLM MITCHELL  GEORGIA

247: R7 P25   S   JORDAN LUCAS  PENN STATE

I would love for the Steelers to get Jaylon Smith. He was awesome to watch last season (until that horrific injury put his career in Jeopardy). I don't know enough about the other players to have a solid opinion.

kirklandrules wrote:

IowaSteeler927 wrote:

UPDATED - After Steve McClendon signs with the NY Jets, and Kelvin Beachum signs with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Version 4.0 (March 16th, 2016)

1st Round (25th Overall Pick) - The Steelers select...

Keanu Neal - S - University of Florida - 6'1" - 216lbs -  40 time 4.62

2nd Round (58th Overall Pick) - The Steelers select...

Vernon Butler - NT - Lousiana Tech - 6'4" - 323lbs -  40 time 5.33

3rd Round (89th Overall Pick) - The Steelers select...

Carl Nassib - DE - Penn State - 6'7" - 277lbs -  40 time 4.84

4th Round (120th Overall Pick) - The Steelers select...

Deiondre Hall - CB - University of Northern Iowa - 6'2" - 199lbs - 40 time 4.68

6th Round (Compensatory Pick) The Steelers select...

Connor McGovern - OG - University of Missouri - 6'4" - 304lbs

7th Round (197th Overall Pick) The Steelers select...

Nate Sudfeld - QB - Indiana University - 6'6" - 240lbs

7th Round (214th Overall) The Steelers select...

Deandre Reaves - WR - Marshall University - 5'10" - 175lbs - 40 Time 4.49

I met Nassib at the Bronko Nagurski awards. Very humble kid. I also spoke with James Franklin (Penn St head coach) and he had such high praise for Nassib's character and drive to succeed. Little known fact, Nassib was never a starter prior to Penn State. He was a walk on. There's something that reminds me of Aaron Smith ... lengthy guy, kinda quite, but very effective on the field. Add 25 pounds and he might just be a good DE for the Steelers. At 6' 6" he's got the height the Steelers have been adding to their d-linemen.

I think Dieondre Hall is going to be an awesome CB in the NFL. He's tall with extremely long arms. He'll fall back a bit because his 40 time sucked, but let's face it, some guys just struggle running out of that stance ... there's a difference in lining up in a sprinter's stance with your arm back and just running on the fly. This might be more a deal on how fast he played on the tape. 4th round would be a steal. Xavien Howard is very similar ... tall guy with long arms who didn't put up great speed at the combine. Both guys are big corners who move well and don't hesitate to come up and make a hit.

Like your mock Iowa and would be extremely happy if those first 4 rounds see guys drop back to the Steelers. Although I would probably swap your 7th round pick of Sudfeld for another CB. Maybe Fabian Moreau. But I've never correctly picked a 7th rounder for the Steelers

Yeah Rounds 6 and 7 are a toss up. I like Connor McGovern because of his versatility. But I think his combine performance may have gotten him into rounds 3-5. Sudfeld I like because he's a big kids, ability to see the whole field, and he could learn sitting behind Ben. Accuracy is a bit off sometimes so good QB coaching could benefit him.  Reaves will probably be a UFA but he's a kid with a knack for making plays as a returner on special teams, we've been relying heavily on Brown, need to find someone that can help take some of that burden.

I really like Nassib, he could go in Round 2 though. I would make that same comparison with Aaron Smith.

I have had this Yannick Ngakoue kid in some of my mocks, seems Joey Porter was at Maryland's Pro Day was spotted talking to him.

Honestly wouldn't mind seeing this kid in a Steelers uniform. He has the versatility to play a 4-3 style DE, or a 3-4 OLB role. He's got pass rushing skills as well.

http://www.steelersdepot.com/2016/03/steelers-lb-coach-joey-porter-present-maryland-pro-day/

IowaSteeler927 wrote:

I have had this Yannick Ngakoue kid in some of my mocks, seems Joey Porter was at Maryland's Pro Day was spotted talking to him.

Honestly wouldn't mind seeing this kid in a Steelers uniform. He has the versatility to play a 4-3 style DE, or a 3-4 OLB role. He's got pass rushing skills as well.

http://www.steelersdepot.com/2016/03/steelers-lb-coach-joey-porter-present-maryland-pro-day/

I liked Ngakoue as a possible pick as well. I think the fact that the Steelers are doing some diligence on guys like this and Correa from Boise St. shows they are looking to the draft to bolster some OLB depth. Also looking at some O linemen that might be 4th round picks, so I wont be surprised if they pick OLB or OT in the first couple rounds

1. Andrew Billings, NT, Baylor
2. Karl Joseph, SS, WVU
3. Tavon Young, CB, Temple
4. Mike Thomas, WR, Southern Miss
6. Victor Ochi, OLB, Stony Brook
7. Caleb Benenoch, T/G, UCLA
7. David Onyemata, DT/DE, Manitoba

My Mock 2.0

1. Eli Apple, CB, Ohio St
2. Andrew Billings, NT, Baylor
3. Kenneth Dixon, RB, Louisiana Tech
4. Miles Killebrew, S, Southern Utah

Completely just for shits from first-draft...

Pittsburgh trades:
2016 1st Round
2016 2nd Round
2016 4th Round
2017 1st Round

Pittsburgh receives:
2016 1st Round (#3 Overall)

1. Jalen Ramsey, FS, Florida State
3. Javon Hargrave, NT, South Carolina State
6. Deiondre Hall, CB, Northern Iowa
7. KeiVarae Russell, CB, Notre Dame
7. Lawrence Thomas, DE/OLB, Michigan State

Honestly it would be really nice if Jarvis Jones would step up.  Having even a competent starting ROLB would make a move like this a lot more feasible.  Not a lot of huge short-or-long-term holes on this roster and if we didn't have to worry about plugging holes at OLB in addition to DB, we could afford to give up early assets in the next draft or two for a player of Ramsey's caliber.