Steelers 7-Round Mock Draft: Trade Lands Pittsburgh An Explosive WR

Taking a little break from the world of scouting reports, I am back with what I love to do most… mock drafts! As I continue to work my way through the top prospects in this draft for our FFSN NFL Draft coverage, I have come across several players who make sense for the Steelers, which is why I decided to compile it into my first Steelers-exclusive mock draft of the year.

As a reminder, my mock drafts are not based on what I think the Steelers should do, although I will definitely address that in a later article. These mocks are based exclusively on what I could see the Steelers doing, giving consideration to past tendencies as well as all the information I have received regarding the Steelers’ interests thus far.

Feedback and conversation is always appreciated, so be sure to leave a comment down below with your thoughts on this seven-round Steelers mock.

Let’s dive in!

***TRADE***

• Steelers receive Pick 24 and a 2026 3rd Round Pick
• Vikings receive Picks 21 and 225

In this scenario, the Vikings look to grab cornerback Maxwell Hairston and leap ahead of the Packers and Chargers to do so, considering both of the aforementioned teams are in need of corner help as well.

Round 1, Pick 24- Matthew Golden | WR | Texas

The Steelers will most likely address either receiver or defensive line in Round 1, and in this scenario, Kenneth Grant is already off the board. After an incredibly fast 40 at the combine, Golden is shooting up draft boards, and his tape backs up the hype. Here is my scouting report on Golden.

Pros: For a smaller receiver, Golden has surprising body control and a rare ability to make contested catches down the field. While still a young prospect, Golden has displayed nothing but maturity on and off the field, which can be evidenced by his growth from year to year. Despite coming into the season with only modest expectations lying on his shoulders, he became the WR1 for Quinn Ewers and provided more than a prototypical deep threat. His route tree did not diversify until he got to Texas, but based on what we saw throughout 2024, I consider him to be an above-average route runner with near-elite quickness in and out of breaks. He separates late in the route thanks to that quickness along with his second-gear burst. He is not just a one speed guy; in fact, he can accelerate quicker than any receiver in this class with the ball in his hands. Not only do his fluid hips contribute to his eye-popping change-of-direction skills, but they allow him to avoid defenders in the open field and create additional yardage after the catch.

Cons: More times than not, Golden is a solid hands catcher; however, he can get into trouble when he turns his head upfield too quickly. Patience is a virtue Golden still needs to learn, but that can be expected from a young receiver who played the 2024 season with a new role in an entirely new offensive system on a new team. When he draws double coverage, it almost feels as if Golden is satisfied with merely taking the attention of the defense, as he does not make a concerted effort to get open when multiple defenders are covering him. Hopefully that will change once he becomes more confident in his craft. I would also like to see Golden bring the ball closer toward his body after catching the pass, as there are several instances on tape where Golden was vulnerable enough to let the defender to knock the ball out of his hands. If he had brought the ball closer to his body and used his body to shield the defender, he would have been able to bring in the pass.

Overview: Before the combine, I saw Golden as receiver that was more quick than fast, but after his blistering 40 time, I have no choice but to move him up my board. The tape is quite impressive from this past season, and the speed exposed his upside. With no consensus number one receiver in this class, Golden is certainly in the running to be the first at his position off the board.

NFL Comparison: Brandin Cooks

Round 2, Pick 52- Darius Alexander | DT | Toledo

Mike Tomlin likes his MAC guys, and defensive line is certainly an area I expect the Steelers to address, especially when considering Andy Weidl’s philosophical ties to Philadelphia. Alexander may not be the guy that would plug up the middle and allow Keeanu Benton to move into a 5-technique role, but Alexander could potentially fill that role himself, considering his excellent burst off the line, hand usage, and ability to gain leverage and create penetration. He may not be the two-gap nose tackle I’d like to see the Steelers look into, but he is a year-one starter with Pro-Bowl upside.

Round 3, Pick 83- Kyle McCord | QB | Syracuse

I was not at all a fan of McCord’s during his time at Ohio State, but over the past year, his mechanics have dramatically improved, and he has received coaching from Jordan Palmer. That is significant, considering Palmer’s long track record of helping young quarterbacks in their development. McCord possesses a solid arm and sufficient athleticism, and his decision making in 2024 was both bolder and wiser. Regardless of what the Steelers do in free agency regarding quarterback, I firmly believe they will be targeting a quarterback at some point in the draft, and Round 3 or 4 seems to be the likely range in which the team would consider pulling the trigger on one.

Round 4, Pick 122- Devin Neal | RB | Kansas

This running back class is incredibly deep, which is why a Najee Harris departure does not scare me in the slightest. Starting-caliber running backs will still be available on Day 3 of the draft, and the Steelers can take advantage of this. Neal did not run a fast 40 time (4.58), but the rest of his workout was much more impressive, and his tape speaks for itself. At 5’11”, 213 pounds, Neal is a powerful runner who does not wear down as the game goes on. He can handle a hefty workload, and he has proven to be a capable receiver out of the backfield as well. With the burst of Jaylen Warren, these two backs could create a nice tandem for the future.

Round 5, Pick 163- Cam Jackson | DT | Florida

Double-dipping along the defensive line would not be a terrible strategy for the Steelers, and if Jackson is still available in Round 5, he could provide intriguing value. At 6’6″, 328 pounds, Jackson has filled out his frame while still maintaining respectable quickness for a big guy. While not the most explosive athlete, the Florida run-stuffer can play anywhere along the defensive line and provide help on early downs and short-yardage situations. He is not great at getting upfield quickly and pressuring the quarterback, but the team that drafts him will have the opportunity to choose where he best fits their scheme. For the Steelers, he could either drop a few pounds and slide out to 5-technique, or he could put on a few more pounds and play a 0-technique/1-technique role on the team. He is virtually a Dan McCullers, Montravius Adams, and Isaiahh Loudermilk all in one player. As a high-volume backup, Jackson could definitely provide value at the next level.

Round 7, Pick 231- Robert Longerbeam | CB | Rutgers

Beanie Bishop had some nice plays for the Steelers last season, but even though I believe he will continue to improve, it would be foolish not to bring in any competition for him. Longerbeam is a similar athlete to Bishop in terms of size and speed, and both players produced at high levels during their time in college. Having defended 37 passes over the last 4 seasons, the ball skills are certainly there. The big question will lie in whether or not he can hang with physical receivers that are a size mismatch. If he can prove his toughness and tenacity to NFL teams, his stock could rise over the next month.

There you have it, my friends. What are your initial thoughts on this mock? Do you see the Steelers draft class looking somewhat like this? What would you like to see the Steelers do in the draft? Be sure to light up the comment section below with your thoughts on this and all things Pittsburgh Steelers!