Ladies and gentlemen, I have a problem. I’ve committed to do several more mocks before the draft, and they are supposed to illustrate many different approaches. But I find myself totally convinced that Pittsburgh is going to target a DT in Round 1! Derrick Harmon 40%, Kenneth Grant 30%, Walter Nolen or Mason Graham 20%, and The Field 10%. And yet here I am, determined to not pick a DT in this mock because I want to see what could happen. So please bear with me, and let’s see how things turn out.
WHAT COULD MOVE ME OFF THE DEFENSIVE TACKLE OPTIONS?
It took some effort, but I’ve finally found a path that works. You didn’t know it, but:
- Kenneth Grant is about to break his leg while bungee jumping on a cord rated for only 500 lbs.;
- Derrick Harmon will bust both of his wrists while unicycling on ice;
- Walter Nolen is going to be caught in a compromising position with some life-sized Vladimir Putin dolls; and
- Mason Graham will be picked in the top 10 like he deserves.
Wrists heal up, right? So maybe… nah. Not in Round 1. So I’ve got to go in another direction. How about we have some fun and pick…
Round 1 (#21 overall) – RB Ashton Jeanty, Boise State. 5-9, 215 lbs. Born Dec. 2, 2003 (21 years old)
Let’s get all the arguments out of the way up front. Never pick a RB in the 1st! Never let a steal pass you by. RBs are the cherry on the sundae, so wait until your QB is in place! Bettis was here before Roethlisberger, so why not Jeanty first and the QB next year? Penn State stopped him. Yeah, by having nine and 10 men in the box all night! He’ll never fall that far! Of course not, but you’re going to complain about odds after what you just read above?
Have fun on the debate if you must, but you need to know there’s another factor at play. An event that will justify this Round 1 pick all on its own. Coming soon to an AFC city near you:
Once upon a fast approaching time, a certain mob of irate reporters wait before the stage like piranha who’ve caught the smell of blood. Ashton Jeanty just went off for 259 yards with 412 broken tackles, and they demand an explanation! The downcast coordinator steps to the podium, and…
COACH: [Shaking his head in dejected awe] “What can I say? Logic and proportion have fallen sloppy dead.”
REPORTERS: “Was it the players’ fault or yours?! Have you taught them how to tackle?! What will you tell them?! How will you play your chess pieces better the next time in order to save your job?!”
COACH: “The men on the chessboard would get up and tell me where to go. The white knight is already talking backwards! Go ask Alice. I think she’ll know.”
That press conference is officially on my bucket list, and I plan to watch every one of the three trillion hits that will ensue. So that’s the pick. End of debate. [N.B. Anyone who ruins it for the millennials loses.]
P.S. Lest you think I’m high, the game in question looked sort of like this. I don’t watch highlights. It’s just not my thing. But I just called my wife over to watch, just like I showed similar tape of Barry Sanders himself to my kids. Ashton Jeanty is a special, special talent.
| RB Ashton Jeanty, Boise St. (Junior). 5-8½, 211 lbs. with 29¼” arms and 9¼” hands. Born Dec. 2, 2003 (21 years old). [Mtg. at Combine] A player with this level of skill at a “high value” position would be a top-3 lock. He’d be the guaranteed #1 pick if he played QB. And no one, anywhere, would question that. Consider a few Alex Kozora Stats Of The Weird before you assume that I’m exaggerating. Jeanty ran for 2,601 yards in 2024, which is only 27 yards behind Barry Sanders’ hitherto unapproachable record. He would have broken the record if Penn State hadn’t played with 9-10 men in the box for much of the bowl game. Almost 2,000 (1,970) of those yards came after contact – which is 250 more than the total yards for any other back in the nation. I.N.S.A.N.E. Along the way, Jeanty set the all-time NCAA record for broken tackles (164). He also scored 29 touchdowns, including five (5!) that came on runs of 70+ yards (tying a LaDainian Tomlinson record). Jeanty carried his team to the 2024 CFB playoffs singlehandedly. And in 2023 he led the nation in RB receiving yards, so that is covered too. Beyond all of which, he is by all accounts a wonderful, hard-working, dedicated young man and ideal teammate. Steven Pavelka’s Depot scouting profile ends with top-10 grade, saying Jeanty “is truly an amazing athlete [who] treats every play as if he is Marshawn Lynch in prime Beast Quake form.” One could ask for another 10 lbs., but OTOH Jeanty is built like a miniature tank, has never been injured, and runs much harder than his size. It isn’t a problem. Bottom line: this prospect has a perfect balance of assets for the inside/outside-zone scheme that Pittsburgh seemingly wants to build: elite vision, quick feet, patience to follow the blocking coupled with sudden burst when he turns up field, historic levels of contact balance, potent receiving chops, and a “willing and competitive” approach to pass protection. The only thing he might be missing is track-star speed, but it’s not like anyone caught him from behind on those 70+ yard scoring runs. If you need more testimony, here is Kyle Crabbs’ 33rd Team scouting profile (“a universal prospect who offers the ability to win between the tackles, outside the numbers, and in the passing game”). Lance Zierlein’s NFL.com scouting profile (“the ultimate yardage creator, with the talent and skill set to succeed independent of the quality of his blocking”). The PFN scouting profile (“Jeanty has an innate ability to make himself untouchable for defenders and is one of the most elusive and slippier backs I have ever scouted”). Why go on? |
Also considered: CB Jahdae Barron
Round 2 – Sent To Seattle In DK Metcalf Trade
Round 3 (#83 overall) – DT Ty Robinson, Nebraska (RS Senior). 6-5⅛, 288 lbs. with 32¼” arms and 10” hands. Born May 3, 2001 (23 years old).
I am not happy. The Steelers have a defensive-line type: tall, long, able to both penetrate on passing downs, and able to 2-gap when they are in base on running downs. There have been entire years when no one fit those specifications. This year there are several, but after Derrick Harmon (and arguably Kenneth Grant) they all have some significant flaws, and those with lesser flaws should all be gone before this pick. Here is my entire list of potential Round 1-3 defensive tackles, with those who don’t fit the Steelers profile crossed out for illustration:
- Early Round 1 – Mason Graham. A 4-3 defensive tackle so good that I’d switch the defense around to fit his skills.
- Round 1 – Derrick Harmon. A perfect fit.
- Round 1 – Kenneth Grant. A fit if he can be a 3-down player with pass rushing skills. T/b/d.
- Round 2 – Shemar Turner. A physical fit, but his anchor needs work.
- Round 2 – T.J. Sanders. A physical fit, but very raw.
- Round 2 – Darius Alexander. A perfect fit, but turns 25 in August.
- Round 1 – Walter Nolen. A very good 4-3 guy with very short arms.
- Round 2 – Tyleik Williams. A very good nose tackle with 32” arms.
- Round 2 – Omarr Norman-Lott. Several inches too short, more of a 4-3 guy.
- Round 2 – Jordan Burch. A 4-3 edge rusher. 20-30 lbs. too light.
- Round 3 – Alfred Collins. A great physical fit with very little pass rush.
- Round 3 – Joshua Farmer. A great physical fit with moderate pass rush and sputtery motor.
- Round 2-3 – Rylie Mills. Short arms, December injury.
- Round 2-3 – Ty Robinson. Short arms.
You see the problem? Impressive as that list is, there is no especially desirable target after Round 2. Here in the 3rd I have two men who look right but project as two-down players, and two three-round players who don’t fit the prototype. Wait for Round 4 and it only gets worse. [Sigh] Time to pinch my nose, squint, and do what I have to. It’s only length, right? Given those four choices I’m going to go with Ty Robinson. Two-down run stuffers are easy to find later in the draft than pass rushers who can operate inside, and I would rather say “whoa” than “sic ‘em.”
| DT Ty Robinson, Nebraska (RS Senior). 6-5⅛, 288 lbs. with 32¼” arms and 10” hands. Born May 3, 2001 (23 years old). 98th-percentile RAS, with the weight (quite fixable) dragging the result down by a lot. Color Pittsburgh intrigued, because he has something within spitting distance of the length it looks for, a very quick burst off the line, and the sort of playing style that requires every reviewer to use the word “violent”. The issues come down to the flip side of all that length – trouble dropping his center of gravity and overall pad level – together with his relatively advanced age, and a severe lack of sophistication when it comes to the DT craft. A legitimate target in Day 2 who would be much higher on the board in a year that didn’t have options closer to the ideal. Expect Robinson’s stock to move up or down noticeably as the process moves forward. This goes to the early January Draft Network scouting profile, which notes that Robinson has pass-rush chops in addition to his run-stuffing prowess but suffers from serious pad-level issues. “Robinson possesses… the physical tools NFL defenses covet in a DL. With a few fine-tuned adjustments—improving his pad level and developing a more detailed pass-rush strategy—Robinson has the potential to be a well-rounded and highly impactful contributor at the next level, excelling against both the run and the pass.” Jim Hester’s Depot scouting report (strong Round 3 grade) ends with a comp to “Steelers great Aaron Smith [as] a tall guy with a lot of power and size who plays high at times and doesn’t have the greatest length but knows how to win with strength, violence, motor, and intelligence. [Robinson’s] ability to get to the quarterback and create significant pressure took a big leap this past year.” Lance Zierlein’s NFL.com scouting profile (Round 3 grade) says Robinson is a “bully with a roughshod playing style that forces blockers to match his physicality… built for the trenches with the versatility to play in odd or even fronts…. He’s powerful to set edges but lacks length to control and quickly shed NFL blockers. He’s an effort rusher [who]… might not be a star, but his effort, strength and demeanor could make him a productive pro for years to come.” |
Also considered: DT Joshua Farmer
Round 4 (#123 overall) – T/G Charles Grant, William & Mary (Senior). 6-4⅞, 311 lbs. with 33¾” arms and 10¼” hands.
I intended to pick a QB here as the next Mason Rudolph type, and had three targets: Jaxson Dart, Will Howard, and Tyler Shough. I probably would have gone with any of the three, but let’s assume they’re gone so I can highlight another aspect of the draft.
This class has a paucity of Round 1 offensive tackles, but there is a cluster of very good prospects in the middle rounds. If we know one thing about Khan/Weidl, it’s this: they put a lot of value on building up the trenches. Dan Moore Jr.’s departure has left an obvious roster hole for a young prospect to fill the developmental tackle pipeline while doubling as a backup guard. You could not describe Charles Grant any better, and the Steelers have shown the interest you might expect.
| T/G Charles Grant, William & Mary (Senior). 6-4⅞, 311 lbs. with 33¾” arms and 10¼” hands. [Mtg. at Combine, Tomlin alma mater, Assistant OL Coach at Pro Day] Grant is exactly the kind of prospect to look for if you want a mid-round, high-ceiling piece to complete the Steelers’ offensive line: a highly athletic swing tackle who could be even better if he adds some grown-man strength and moves inside to guard while he adjusts to the new level of talent he’ll be facing. Tom Mead’s Depot scouting report (fringe-Round 3 grade) describes Grant as a highly athletic small-school tackle, who was bigger and better than his FCS competition but will need to add some bulk and more refined technique in order to make the jump up to the NFL level. Lance Zierlein’s NFL.com scouting profile (strong Round 3 grade) says that Grant is a “highly consistent performer with elite length and better technique than many prospects coming from a higher level of competition. Grant played with both urgency and positioning in William & Mary’s zone-heavy approach, but he needs to add bulk and improve his pad level to play with the drive and anchor needed as a pro. The former high school wrestler utilizes a bag of tricks with his protection approach and possesses adequate core strength to absorb a speed-to-power pass rush. He could develop into a solid pro as either a guard or tackle if he cleans up issues with hand usage.” Brandon Thorn’s expert scouting profile (strong Round 3 grade) is very similar in almost all the details. “Grant has a lean, muscular build with solid arm length, play strength and very good athletic ability…A very athletic, skilled zone-run blocker with very good physicality, effort and strain to stick on blocks once latched…A loose, twitchy mover with the range and redirect skills to mirror and protect his edges with a good understanding of how to play long.” Etc. |
Also considered: CB Benjamin Morrison, OT Cameron Williams.
Round 5 (#156 overall) – QB Brady Cook, Missouri (Senior). 6-2⅛, 214 lbs. with 9¼” hands. Born Oct. 12, 2001 (23 years old).
It’s Round 5 and there’s been just one defensive pick. I really like to balance things between both sides of the ball. Alas, the hole at QB is just too big. Brady Cook projects as a career backup, but that is all I want at this point in the draft.
| QB Brady Cook, Missouri (Senior). 6-2⅛, 214 lbs. with 9¼” hands. Born Oct. 12, 2001 (23 years old). [Mtg. twice as of Jan. 25] There’s a lot to like about this young man. He’d be in the Round-1 conversation if a magic wand arrived to gift him with a cannon arm. Alas, what he’s got is an ‘I guess it will do’ arm. Plus character, intelligence, work ethic, experience, decent mechanics, okay accuracy, and good mobility. Make that “very good mobility,” though he’s less “running threat” than a pocket passer who can make a defense pay when he escapes. Sounds like an ideal prospect for a team like Pittsburgh that wants to add some developmental depth. The NFL Draft Buzz scouting profile makes a point of emphasizing his football IQ, decision-making, leadership, and roughness, but also says he “lacks elite physical tools [which limits] his ceiling as a playmaker.” Outside of his “elite wheels” that is. Josh Carney’s Depot scouting report (Round 5 grade) says, “Overall, I came away liking Cook’s tape more than I expected. It felt like… after a great 2023 season he didn’t have the type of year many expected in 2024. Injuries were a part of that despite having really good weapons around him. But the tape shows a guy who is tough as nails, will stand in there and deliver, and can provide a wrinkle in the designed-QB run, as well as from a scrambling perspective…He showed adequate arm strength…but on tape the deep ball really lacked…He also seemingly had to see guys open before throwing, rather than throwing with anticipation…Still, there’s a good foundation to work with when it comes to Cook as that athletic, tough quarterback who can work in the quick passing game, can throw on the move and has great leadership.” |
Also considered: DB Jason Walley, DB Nohl Williams, DB Marcus Harris, and DB Alijah Huzzie.
Round 6 (#185 overall) – NT Yahya Black, Iowa (RS Senior). 6-5¾, 336 lbs. with amazing 35” arms and big 10¼” hands. Born April 21, 2002 (22 years old).
Pittsburgh will once again face the Ravens and Derrick Henry in 2025, a job that plainly requires a dominant presence in the middle of its defensive line. It wouldn’t hurt against some other teams too now that rushing attacks have once again entered the NFL. Two-down run stuffers aren’t exactly rare, but Black projects as a very good one and the team has shown interest. Round 6 is fair value, so there it is. If Black somehow gets picked before #185, sub in Alabama’s Nazir Stackhouse or Texas’ Vernon Broughton.
| NT Yahya Black, Iowa (RS Senior). 6-5¾, 336 lbs. with amazing 35” arms and big 10¼” hands. Born April 21, 2002 (22 years old). [Mtg. at Senior Bowl, Visit] A long, powerful centerpiece for the middle of the defense who comes pretty close to looking like a regular person but just happens to be 340 lbs. One of the better Day-3 options for a team that wants a 2-down anchor in the center of the line. This goes to a Senior Bowl interview with Steeler Depot’s Ross McCorkle. This good-looking, if Giants-oriented scouting profile (fringe-2nd grade) sums it up well: “Black will quickly earn snaps on early downs and make impact plays as a smart run defender who eats space and dictates at the line of scrimmage… He’s a valuable asset but lacks the juice and athletic ability to be an impact player in passing situations.” Lance Zierlein’s NFL.com scouting profile (late-round grade) agrees that Black has very solid 2-down potential, but says he “lacks snap quickness and range, so he’s much more space-eater than playmaker.” Zierlein also notes an inconsistent pad level (a major but predictable problem) and “below-average balance [that makes Black] end up on the ground too often.” |
Also considered DT Vernon Broughton and DT Nazir Stackhouse
Round 7 (#229 overall) – C/G Jackson Slater, Sacramento St. (Senior). 6-3, 311 lbs. with 32” arms and 10” hands.
When in doubt, invest in the offensive line. Nate Herbig’s departure leaves room for a dedicated IOL backup with center/guard flexibility. Slater comes from a small school, and a West Coast school at that. Insult to injury from a Steelers POV. Nevertheless, all the scouting reports project him as an ideal fit for this role. And, you know… Andy Weidl.
| C/G Jackson Slater, Sacramento St. (Senior). 6-3, 311 lbs. with 32” arms and 10” hands. An intriguing prospect who really could be a Steelers target somewhere down in the 4-6 range. Slater is a good, smart, fundamentally sound football player who happens to be a guard. The word earlier in the process basically went to the LOC: ‘Sure, he’s good against kids who will be selling insurance in a few years, but how will he do against the big boys?’ Enter the Senior Bowl. Slater played a lot of center and proved to be one of the most effective blockers there even in the one-on-ones that tilt in favor of the defense. After that people started to question his athleticism. Enter the Combine where he compiled a 93rd-percentile RAS held back only by his height. I still think he’s likely to struggle against grown NFL men, but so do all rookies and the projection as a long-term contributor and potential starter looks sound. This goes to Jonathan Heitritter’s Depot scouting report (Round-4 grade). Lance Zierlein’s NFL.com scouting profile (Round 6 grade) says, “Slater plays with good core strength and [is]…well-schooled but might lack the desired foot quickness…once he makes the jump in competition. Slater is smooth in his sets and utilizes independent hands…Proving he has position flexibility at guard and center will help, but Slater appears to have a limited ceiling.” Brandon Thorn’s scouting profile (Round-6 grade) agrees that Slater projects best as a center who “could carve out a backup role with spot starter potential inside a zone-based run scheme.” Pittsburgh could use a true C/G replacement for Nate Herbig (gone to Washington) and supposedly wants to move more toward a zone-based run scheme, so the fit seems to be excellent. |
Also considered: Too many to list.
CONCLUSION
I wish I could have found a Round-1 defensive tackle prospect, but fate clearly had other plans. Have you ever seen such a weird line of unlikely events? [Shakes head in awe]. The fact that we had to go in another direction really shows too. It’s very hard to see any really good alternatives being there outside of Round 2, which forced me to pick a prospect who doesn’t quite fit. Major suckage. Other than that I think the draft came out very well.
Ashton Jeanty is psychedelically good; so much so that it obviates the normal hesitation to pick a Round 1 RB. Ty Robinson isn’t the sort of lineman I hoped to get this year, but he is a very good player who will enhance the unit. And after that I don’t see how anyone could complain. Every pick from Round 4-7 offers tremendous value that pushes toward the edge of being a genuine steal, and the ultimate result will be a complete rebuild of the trenches outside of that elusive Heir to Cam.
- ROUND 1: RB Ashton Jeanty, Boise St.
- [ROUND 2: [DK Metcalf]
- ROUND 3: DT Ty Robinson, Nebraska
- ROUND 4: T/G Charles Grant, William & Mary
- ROUND 5: QB Brady Cook, Missouri
- ROUND 6: NT Yahya Black, Iowa
- ROUND 7: C/G Jackson Slater, Sacramento St.
WTH was Derrick Harmon thinking?! Unicycles and frozen ponds are not a great combination. How would that even work?
