Let’s shake it up a bit. I’m riding with Mason Rudolph as my starter in 2025. Not fielding calls from Rodgers or his agent any longer, and while I may draft a QB later, I won’t be drafting Sanders again at 21. The Eagles, as always, are making moves and make a trade with Pittsburgh and select Walter Nolen. Steelers get 32, 64, and swap third-rounders in 2025

Round 1 Pick 32 – Shavon Revel Jr. CB East Carolina

Set aside the ACL injury he suffered early in the 2024 college and I’ll throw in the level of competition as red flags for this talented prospect I ask you to look past those two topics and just look at the overall picture of what he could bring to the future of the Pittsburgh Steelers. I mention the future here for two reasons, one is obvious, his health, will he be ready to play in 2025 at the onset of the season? The other reason is the Steelers have their starters in place with Joey Porter Jr. and veteran free agent Darius Slay. Some felt that Slay could be a solid in-house mentor for Porter Jr., and I agree they are similar players, and the same could be said for bringing in Revel Jr. Do the Steelers need a corner in 2025? Probably not, barring injury,y but at some point drafting a guy a year early, to get him in house and learn and acclimate, makes sense if you can afford it. Well, the Steelers are a long way away, so the cost is minimal. You may argue the position, but it’s hard denying the talent. Has the length, size, and physicality that Pittsburgh seems to be going with at the position. He is not shy in his run fits and had 54 tackles his last full year of playing. Solid overall hip change and plenty of makeup speed. Good overall route recognition and has some zone awareness. Special teams value as a solid gunner with some splash play attached. He would be a top 15 prospect if he weren’t injured in 2024.

Round 2 Pick 64 – Quinshon Judkins RB Ohio State

The accolades collected over his college career would be enough to fill up the rest of this article. The transfer of Judkins from Ole Miss was a head scratcher for me because he was having a helluva college career as a Rebel. Throw in the fact that the Buckeyes already had a talented running back in TreVeyon Henderson, and that meant a more than likely split in carries. I did some research and first thought it was an NIL money grab, and honestly, I don’t blame any running back for that, but I digress. Instead, it was reported he wanted to win a National Championship. Okay, I like the sound of that! It was mentioned he felt the culture and coaching could help him develop as a player and as a person. Maybe the splitting of the reps with Henderson proved to be a smart move in terms of wear and tear on his body. No matter what anyone believes, he did achieve his goal of winning a National Championship and was instrumental in that game with 101 yards on 11 carries with 2 TDs and had a receiving score as well. Throughout that outstanding run in the revamped playoff system, Judkins had a total of 7 TDs in a split role. I will say that in the shared backfield, his production did not drop. Patient with good vision and solid contact balance. Good blitz pick up and decent pass catching ability. Would make a solid one-two with Jaylen Warren.

Round 3 Pick 96 – Charles Grant OL William and Mary

As much as I would like to take an IDL here, I want to go with a guy I drafted, albeit much later, and it can be argued that he may not fall to Pick 96. This pick was a swap from the trade back with Philly to balance the trade. The offensive line is still a work in progress, and that is a sad statement to type. Not sure how they would have played out if Troy Fautanu had remained healthy. The Steelers started two rookies on the interior, and both played well considering the transition to life at the next level. With this pick, I see a strong competition at the undecided tackle spot,s and Grant could also push Mason McCormick for a starting spot at right guard in 202,5 and looking at left guard in 2026 with a possible departure of Isaac Seumalo. Grant brings a blend of size, athletic ability, and exceptional length. Considering he started playing football in his junior year of high school, he has shown some terrific understanding of concepts, aided by those athletic traits. He would be an excellent scheme fit.

Round 4 Pick 123 – Vernon Broughton IDL Texas

Finally, an interior defensive lineman, and while it may not be the upper echelon of this year's crop of prospects, don’t sell this Longhorn short. The interior defensive line has been a hot topic for discussion during the offseason among the Black and Gold faithful. The Steelers had an opportunity and cap space to add some top-level talent in free agency along the defensive front, but chose to go with the discount variety. As is anything in Steeler land, this is a debatable topic. So why didn’t you go interior defensive line in rounds 1 or 2? The simple answer is I have gotten tired of talking about the same prospects, and Broughton was on the Steelers' radar, so here we are. Blessed with god given physical traits including height, weight, and length. Reported to have 34 34-inch arm length. I see some versatility in his game, and while neither his pass rush or run fits are strengths, he has traits that suggest he could be solid at both aspects with coaching at the pro level. His pass rush moves are workable, and he has a strong punch. As with any college prospect, NFL strength is always needed, and his lower half will need that work to help his anchor. It’s a deep class, and to get a prospect of this level in the late 4th is beneficial.

Round 5 Pick 156 – RJ Mickens SAF Clemson

Another draft pick without a true need, as the safety room has its starters and a solid veteran backup. This allows the Steelers to bring along a guy a little slower and with 3 solid teammates, the former Tiger can gain that valuable knowledge that sometimes coaching doesn’t always reach. I look at his production, and there was a noticeable uptick in his college career. He is lauded for his leadership qualities and has those NFL bloodlines, his father played 8 years in the league. Has some versatility in his game, lining up deep, around the line of scrimmage, and in the slot. Solid tackler and will be a solid contributor on special teams. Smart, instinctual football player

Round 6 Pick 185 – JJ Pegues IDL Mississippi

In a deep class, the Steelers take a fullback…I mean a running back…I mean, another interior defensive lineman. Truthfully, this big man can actually move, and I won’t say for his size, because that’s unfair. Former TE turned interior defensive lineman. Has a great first step and some lateral agility. Plays all up and down the line of scrimmage, probably best suited early on as a nose tackle. Now let’s talk about his stint as running back, who needs the tush push? Just give the big guy the ball. Pegues had 7 rushing TDs on the year. This isn’t a gimmicky pick for me, this guy can play. He is much better at this point in stopping the run, but considering all things, he has upside as a prospect.

Round 7 Pick 229 – Ricky White lll WR UNLV

I don’t know what it is about this guy, but I just love his game. He isn’t the biggest guy, and he isn’t the fastest guy. He just makes plays in all facets of the gam,e including special teams. Has a full route tree and has that savvy about him to set defenders up. I think he plays much bigger than his size and will provide some solid RAC/YAC. In time and with work could be a solid option from the slot.

There you have it, my final mock, and I think my only mock of the season, except the live event where I took Sanders. Tell me what you like and dislike. As always, stay safe and go Steelers.