If you’re a fan of mock drafts like myself, you’ve probably noticed that the overwhelming majority have had the Pittsburgh Steelers selecting a wide receiver with the 21st overall pick. However, recent developments suggest that assumption might need to be reconsidered.
This week, Pittsburgh traded with the Indianapolis Colts to acquire Michael Pittman Jr., a bona fide No. 2 wide receiver, potentially reducing the urgency to address the position in the first round. While drafting a wideout cannot be
completely ruled out, the move certainly opens the door for the team to explore other areas of need.
The Steelers also made a significant addition to their secondary, signing former Buccaneers cornerback Jamel Dean to a three-year, $36.75 million contract. With wide receiver and cornerback partially addressed, attention could shift toward reinforcing the offensive line.
One position that hasn’t frequently appeared in early mock drafts for Pittsburgh is offensive line, but that may soon change.
Former first-round pick Broderick Jones is coming off a serious neck injury that landed him on injured reserve last season. While the team hopes he can return to full strength, there is still uncertainty surrounding both his readiness for the upcoming season and the potential long-term impact of the injury.
Undrafted rookie free agent Dylan Cook stepped in admirably late last season, starting four games down the stretch. But with such a limited sample size and little pedigree compared to most long-term starters, it’s fair to question whether the Steelers are comfortable handing him the reins at left tackle moving forward.
Another factor that could push Pittsburgh toward the offensive line early is the departure of veteran guard Isaac Seumalo, who left in free agency to sign with the Arizona Cardinals. Losing a proven starter on the interior creates a significant hole, putting guard firmly in play as a potential first-round target.
If the Steelers opt to reinforce the line, several intriguing tackle prospects could be in play.
One name to watch is Monroe Freeling out of Georgia. Freeling has surged up draft boards following a historic performance at the NFL Scouting Combine. Despite having just 16 collegiate starts, he posted a staggering 9.99 Relative Athletic Score, ranking second out of 1,512 offensive tackle prospects since 1987. At 6-foot-7 and 315 pounds, Freeling ran a blazing 4.93-second 40-yard dash and recorded a 9-foot-7 broad jump. If he were to still be available at pick No. 21, he would likely represent tremendous value.
Another potential option is Spencer Fano from Utah. A three-year starter with experience at both tackle spots, Fano is widely viewed as a high-floor prospect. His combination of quick feet, athleticism, and football IQ could allow him to compete immediately with Cook for the starting job.
Then there’s Kadyn Proctor from Alabama, perhaps the most polarizing tackle prospect in the class. Proctor is an imposing figure at 6-foot-7 and 352 pounds, though he faced criticism early last season when some evaluators questioned his conditioning. As the year progressed, however, he improved significantly and ultimately solidified the first-round status many projected for him entering the season.
Proctor is a dominant run blocker with the raw strength to overwhelm defensive linemen at the point of attack. However, questions remain about his lateral movement in pass protection, and some scouts believe his power could eventually translate better at guard if he cannot refine certain aspects of his technique at tackle.
If Pittsburgh chooses to address the interior offensive line directly, Olaivavega Ione from Penn State stands out as the premier guard prospect in the class. Widely viewed as the top player at his position, Ione combines size, strength, and technique that project well to the NFL level. Should he slide to pick No. 21, he would represent a strong and logical option for a Steelers team now facing a major void at guard.
Whether the Steelers add another offensive lineman in free agency remains to be seen. But given the current uncertainty at tackle and the recent loss on the interior, it may be time for mock drafts to start considering the offensive line—both tackle and guard—as a legitimate target for Pittsburgh in the first round.
