As the Joker famously said in the Dark Knight “And here. We. Go.” It’s draft day! I feel like a little kid all fired up about Christmas morning. Only am I going to hit the kid lottery and see a brand-new bike by the tree? Or is it going to be a shiny new PS5 box, only when I open it the box is actually stuffed with packs of Hanes tube socks and tighty whities while my parents point and me and laugh mercilessly? Yep- that’s how this could go down today…. Dear liver- I apologize in advance.
That’s not going to change my attempt to mock you, however! Well mock to you anyway. In fact this will be my final mock draft. Until next week of course when I start thinking about the 2026 draft. It truly never ends for a draft (nerd) junkie like myself.
In this approach I’m going to integrate a little bit of “willing these selections into being”. They will be players that they do have a legitimate shot at and we could see in the ‘Burgh next season. This is because I woke up full of hopes and dreams of another decade with four Super Bowl wins. Afterall, I haven’t gotten the box of socks yet….
Round 1- #21 Kenneth Grant, DL, Michigan
The popular selection here is Derrick Harmon, who is quoted as saying he mirrors his game after Cam Heyward. Which is a great pick- if he is available. However the Cincinnati Bengals pick a few spots before us, they’ve heard the same thing, and they suck and like to steal players we like. While yes, it is true they do not seem to care about defense they do like to irk us. Also, Tomlin said that he thinks the nose tackle is getting to be like the full back position and they aren’t really looking for that type of player. He said this during smokescreen/habitual lie season so the opposite is probably true.
Kenneth Grant is my top defensive line prospect for the Steelers. He’s freakishly athletic for his size, and I actually do feel like he can be an every down player. In a base 3-4 he would play at NT and Benton can move to end. This not only brings youth and athleticism but is a double-positive because of that move alone because I do not believe Benton’s best position is NT.
Round 2- #37 Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
TRADE! In my initial mock, I wrote the following: To me, Egbuka is the perfect receiver for the Steelers to compliment George Pickens. He can play in the slot or outside and has great hands. Coaches and fans will love his willingness to block. He has a high football IQ and is not a diva.
This was obviously prior to the Metcalf trade, so replace “George Pickens” with DK Metcalf. Pickens has the ability and skillset to be a superstar in this league. He also has the mindset to be a super villain in a spy movie. So what better place to get traded to then the Raaaiidaaas? Their fans will love him and immediately embrace who he is as a player and person. Meanwhile, The Steelers can swoop in and draft the perfect prospect for them this year in Egbuka after he falls a little further than expected. On paper this looks like a win-win because the Raiders get a potential fan favorite superstar, and the Steelers get their guy. Yes, maybe this is a pipe dream. But I could see the Steelers picking Egbuka if not in a trade, then in the first round possibly after a trade down.
Round 3- #83 Kevin Winston Jr., S, Penn State
Another one of “my guys”, Kevin Winston Jr. is a stud. I think he has the potential to be not only one of the better safeties in this draft class, but in the league after a few years. He slips because of his injury but make no mistake Winston Jr. is the real deal. The last time the Steelers drafted someone that fell in the draft due to potential injury concerns they landed Peyton Wilson and so far, so good. Winston will take some time to shake off the rust but will pay dividends in the long run.
Round 4- #123 Dylan Sampson, RB, Tennessee
Dylan Sampson might be long gone by now because he’s picked up some steam in recent weeks. In that case the pick might just be Cam Skattebo who has fallen some. With this year’s running back class being so stacked, this is where I think they address that position. They have put the plan in place to start Jaylen Warren with Kenneth Gainwell thrown in for a RB by committee and here’s a player to add to the list. Sampson has potential starter ability despite his size (5’8, 200 pounds.) Tomlin and co. have been hell bent on focusing on speed in the backfield which is why I think Sampson is the pick. He was also brought in for a pre-draft visit.
Round 5- #156 Kyle McCord, QB, Syracuse
In some ways this is the pick that I’m trying to will into existence the most. Not because I love Kyle McCord; but because this means that the Steelers understand that Shedeur Sanders is not the answer. The Steelers had McCord in for a Top 30 visit. This increases the chance they draft him if they are looking at a QB in later rounds. McCord has legitimate potential and worst-case could become a very good backup. Plus while Tyler Shough has more of a chuck-it-and-duck approach, McCord has a ‘(blank) it, chuck it!’ mentality despite not having the biggest arm. Which as of now anyway I find totally funny and awesome.
Round 6- #185 Caleb Rogers, OT, Texas Tech
Caleb Rogers isn’t a well-known draft prospect, and he’s somewhat raw and needs developmental work. But he is a high RAS guy, and Omar Khan likes that. He’s also played at every position on the offensive line in college with the exception of center. With Broderick Jones and Troy Fautanu still question marks and Isaac Seumalo coming to the end of his contract a versatile offensive lineman with potential selection isn’t out of the question especially in the sixth round.
Round 7- #229 Jared Harrison-Hunte, DT, SMU
Here’s another prospect the Steelers had in for a top 30 visit and another high RAS guy. Harrison-Hunte is 6’3″, 290 pounds with 33″ arms. He ran a 4.86 40-yard dash, had a 1.69 10-yard split, 32″ vertical, and 9’3″ broad jump. (Credit- Pro Football & Sports Network.) With the depth in this draft class on the defensive line, many believe the Steelers will double-up at the position. This is exactly the type of player you take a chance on in the seventh round.
Go Time!
With all that out of the way, tonight we get to see what really happens. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone at Steel City Blitz for letting me be a part of this process- what a great group o’ dudes! And Regardless of our joy/disappointment level after the next several days, we’ll all continue to say “Here we go Steelers!” Hopefully with more enthusiastic voice octaves then less. Guess it depends on how much drinking we do. Happy Draft Day!
