Parker Abate Mock Draft 4.0 - Steelers Gain Impressive Haul And Are Set Up For 2023 And Beyond

Mock draft season is quickly coming to a close and the Pittsburgh Steelers will attempt to solidify their offensive and defensive units with the incoming prospects. Everyone has heard this song and dance before, the organization is likely to target linemen on both sides of the ball and a cornerback early on. Sure, we could get a surprise from a franchise that tends to keep everything in-house, but it's hard to deny what the glaring needs are. After version 3.0 was released roughly three weeks ago, here is the fourth and final mock draft.

Steelers Hone In On Cornerback In Round 1

1.) Round 1 (17th Overall) - Deonte Banks, CB - Maryland

The preferred choices here would be Devon Witherspoon or Christian Gonzalez, but with the two off the board in this Pro Football Focus simulator draft, Banks was available and impossible to pass up. After a great 2023 NFL Scouting Combine, including a 4.34 40-yard dash, Banks has flown up draft boards, and rightfully so. The 6'1", 200-pound defender had an interception and eight passed defended in 2022.

2.) Round 2 (32nd Overall) - Dawand Jones, OT - Ohio State

Jones isn't the Ohio State tackle that everyone seems to want, but without one of the top guys available at 17, Pittsburgh rolls the dice and waits until the first pick of the second round. A 6'8" 360-pound offensive lineman isn't a horrible pickup, though. He might have to transition to left tackle in the NFL unless Pittsburgh decides to move Chukwuma Okorafor over and let Jones play where he is most comfortable.

3.) Round 2 (49th Overall) - Felix Anudike-Uzomah, ED - Kansas State

This could end up being the steal of the entire draft. Anudike-Uzomah had 19.5 sacks in his final two seasons at Kansas State. Pittsburgh ends up bringing in a guy who can play right behind TJ Watt and Alex Highsmith and be productive in doing so. His 25.5 tackles for loss in his final two collegiate seasons aren't something to overlook, either.

4.) Round 3 (80th Overall) - Nathaniel Dell, WR - Houston

No one said anything about Allen Robinson being a long-term solution at wide receiver. It's not a given that the Steelers will even address the position in the draft, but it would be hard to pass on Dell here. With sub-4.5 speed, the pass catcher had an absurd 2,727 yards receiving and 28 touchdowns in his final two years with the Cougars. He also returned a punt back for a touchdown.

5.) Round 4 (120th Overall) - Kobie Turner, DL - Wake Forest

Turner only played at Wake Forest for one year but had a great impact with 10 tackles for loss and two sacks. He is 6'3" and nearly 300 pounds. Turner would be a great addition and reinforcement to an older defensive line. Prior to Wake, he was a three-time All-Colonial Athletic Association selection with the University of Richmond.

6.) Round 7 (241st Overall) - Clayton Tune, QB - Houston

The Steelers go with two former Cougars who lit up scoreboards in college. Tune could potentially serve as the future backup for Kenny Pickett, but doesn't have to be thrown into the fire with Mitchell Trubisky still on the roster. He threw 104 touchdowns in five collegiate seasons including 40 in 2022. He fell just short of 12,000 career passing yards. Tune was the only one of two quarterbacks to have a 'Top 30' visit with Pittsburgh.

7.) Round 7 (251st Overall) - Jonah Tavai, DL - San Diego State

It's not too often that seventh-rounders hang around very long, but the Steelers have drafted some good ones in the past. Tavai is a bit smaller at 6'0", but had 25 career sacks in college. Pair that with 28 tackles for loss in his final two seasons and Pittsburgh may have found themselves a diamond in the rough with the third to last selection in the entire draft.

What would you change about this mock draft? Do you like the selections? Let us know in the comments below!

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