If the Pittsburgh Steelers’ draft turns out the way NFL.com’s Chad Reuter mocks it, the team will be welcoming headline names at notable skill positions. In his latest four-round mock, Reuter has the Steelers focusing on re-tooling an offense to help in the present and the future.
At No. 21, Reuther selects North Carolina RB Omarion Hampton to wind up in Pittsburgh.
“Hampton’s impressive burst and power through contact make him a great fit for a Steelers running game in need of an identity.”
Identity is something Pittsburgh has lacked, a point Najee Harris made after signing with the Los Angeles Chargers. The offense has attempted to be built inside-out with heavy offensive line investments. Now, they need a running back. Hampton is regarded as one of the draft’s top runners and is likely to be taken second after Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty, a likely top-10 pick.
Thickly built at 6’0, 221 pounds, Hampton displays excellent contact balance and big-time production. Across his final two years with the Tar Heels, he rushed for over 3,000 yards and 33 total scores. Hampton boosted his stock with a strong Combine workout, running a 4.45 and answered a big question in our scouting report.
Drafting Hampton would be another first-round back and ignores the need along the defensive line, but would signal the team’s desire to make Pittsburgh’s offense something more than average.
Without a second-round pick, the Steelers’ next chance to add comes in the third round at No. 83. Reuter has the team taking Louisville QB Tyler Shough. His selection offers no explanation, not that one is needed. Pittsburgh is in need of a long-term quarterback option even if the team lands Aaron Rodgers, an increasingly likely outcome. By NFL terms, Shough isn’t young and turns 26 during his rookie year. But he’s an impressive pocket passer with a good arm and overall accuracy. Age aside, repeated college injures – two broke collarbones and a fractured leg – and a lack of anticipation in his throws are his biggest concerns.
Projecting his draft stock is difficult. He could be the fourth quarterback off the board behind Cam Ward, Shedeur Sanders, and Jaxson Dart. Whether that’s in the second or third round is up for debate.
Finally, Reuter has Pittsburgh targeting defense in the fourth round. But it’s not at corner, safety or defensive line. He has the team taking Michigan EDGE Josaiah Stewart. An undersized pass rusher, he racked up nine sacks as a captain for the Wolverines. A Coastal Carolina transfer, our scouting report summed him up as a “fun prospect” with an explosive first-step and all-out effort. We gave him a second-round grade.
Adding an EDGE rusher shouldn’t be high on the Steelers’ list of needs. And it certainly shouldn’t come ahead of defensive line, a unit totally ignored by Reuter in this mock. Here’s what he gives Pittsburgh.
Chad Reuter’s Steelers’ Four-Round Mock Draft
No. 21 – Omarion Hampton/RB North Carolina
No. 83 – Tyler Shough/QB Louisville
No. 123 – Josaiah Stewart/EDGE Michigan
Three talented players. Hampton and Shough are debatable but acceptable. Stewart is a whiff.
