Welcome to my first Steelers mock draft of the year. I’ve got to be honest — I don’t love the idea of a mock draft before free agency. Whether it’s a stud WR like Chris Godwin, or a star DT like Milton Williams, their offseason moves will obviously significantly impact their selections.
However, I enjoy evaluating some of the talent the team’s brass will undoubtedly be examining. It’ll help both me and hopefully some of our readers learn more about these prospects.
I only did four rounds here because I’m still familiarizing myself with the projected backend of the class. Without further ado:
Round 1, Pick 21: Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon
Harmon is arguably the most disruptive run-stopper in the draft and also has the chops to pressure the quarterback. He has violent hands and a consistent motor. The Steelers have generally done a solid job stopping the run throughout the years, but Ravens star RB Derrick Henry exploited them last season.
With a chance to win the division on the road, Henry ran for 162 yards on 24 totes, giving the Ravens a leg up in the AFC North, in a 34-17 win over the black and gold. And you probably know what happened in the playoffs. Henry stiff-armed Minkah Fitzpatrick into another stratosphere on his way to a 186-yard game and 2 TDs.
Harmon faced constant double teams and still registered 5 sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss. Simply put, he’s a game-changer.
Big Man, Bigger Motor. That’s the best way to describe Oregon Ducks iDL Derrick Harmon.
Most pressures by a DT in CFB (55)
2nd in pressure rate by a DT (10.7%)
10.5 Tackles for loss
Positional Flex, can be a 1T or 3T
2nd round grade, what team drafts this stud? pic.twitter.com/h7MZFTZBGN
— 2025 NFL Draft (@DraftRT) January 24, 2025
Round 2, Pick 52: Elic Ayomanor, WR, Stanford
If and when the Steelers add a receiver will largely depend on how they feel about last year’s third-round pick, Roman Wilson. Quite frankly, I have no idea where he fits into their future plans after missing essentially all of 2024.
Regardless, they could need another playmaker on the outside, as Wilson and Calvin Austin III
will continue to primarily line up in the slot.
Ayomanor is a polished receiver with veteran-like fluidity in his game. He’s a bully at the line of scrimmage and has great instincts, often finding vacancies by simply slowing down the game. We often see receivers playing at 100% speed each snap, but much like quarterbacks, sometimes taking a step back means taking a step forward.
Sometimes you have to appreciate the Wide Receivers that do the simple stuff well.
Elic Ayomanor is a very good blocker, runs solid routes, wins at the catch point, and has sticky hands.
Very similar to Tyler Boyd/Chris Godwin type players for a ceiling.pic.twitter.com/bTzqIpNZJi
— Snoog's Fantasy HQ (@FFSnoog) January 17, 2025
Round 3, Pick 83: Dorian Strong, CB, Virginia Tech
Listen, the Steelers have three really big needs. Ideally, I’d like to see a corner drafted much earlier, but there are many holes to plug.
Strong led all collegiate cornerbacks in both yards allowed per coverage snap (0.24) and completion rate allowed (27.3%).
He’s a lengthy press-man corner with smooth hips and above-average ball skills. He needs to work on calming his approach a bit, as he struggles some on the deep ball because of his tendencies to jump the intermediate routes.
All in all, he’d be a steal at this spot.
Round 4, Pick 122: Cam Skattebo, RB, Arizona State
If you weren’t a fan of this mock so far, I wonder if this changed your mind. Skattebo just has Pittsburgh Steelers “aura.”
The Heisman finalist was a superstar at Arizona State. Last year, he ranked second in the NCAA with 1,711 rushing yards and 21 TDs.
Clearly, there will be questions surrounding his athleticism. He’s a bruiser who will get you three or four yards in his sleep, and good luck stopping him at the goal line … but is he enough of a change of pace with Jaylen Warren? Or does he have too much Najee Harris to his game, regarding lack of explosiveness?
He was born to be a Pittsburgh Steeler, but more so if this were the early 2000s. While he’d be a ton of fun, and I don’t doubt he’s going to be a good player; I’d prefer speed over power here.
But let’s have some fun, for now.
What are your thoughts on this mock and who are some of your favorite prospects in the first four rounds? Let us know in the comments section!
