Every year before the draft, I always share with you a Steelers-specific dreams vs. reality mock draft. The concept is simply predicated on comparing what I want to happen with what I think will happen. This fun exercise is something that has turned into a yearly tradition, and if this is your first time checking mine out, it is a great way to put things in perspective and maintain reasonable expectations.

If you would like to join in on this exercise, feel free to drop both your dream mock and reality mock in the comment section below!

Dream Mock Draft

Round 1, Pick 20- Taliese Fuaga | OT | Oregon State

Projected to be taken between picks 10 and 20, Fuaga could be one of the linemen who fall into the Steelers’ lap at 20 if five quarterbacks go early. Here is my scouting report on him from the FFSN Big Board:

Fuaga is one of my favorite prospects in this draft, as he shows no fear of anything. Figuratively speaking, he hits defenders in the mouth, and they feel it for days to come. One of the nastiest blockers in this draft, Fuaga uses his exceptional core strength to push defenders off the ball in the run game on a regular basis, and his sound instincts and awareness assist him in picking up delayed blitzes and stunts that come from the inside to the outside. There are three main reasons why he will likely be taken outside the top ten selections: 1) His arm length isn’t elite, 2) His feet can be the slightest bit slow coming out of his stance, and 3) He is almost exclusively a right tackle. While I believe he is a good enough athlete to play on the left side, his physical traits and play style fit better on the right side. Moving to the left side would also make more prevalent the concerns about arm length and foot quickness, which are very minor concerns when profiling him as a right tackle. I see him as a prospect almost to the level of Darnell Wright, who was my highest-rated tackle in last year’s class.

Also considered: Amarius Mims, Troy Fautanu

Round 2, Pick 51- Xavier Legette | WR | South Carolina

It would not shock me if Legette is taken in Round 1, but there is likely to be at least one receiver who falls through the cracks in a class this deep. Here is my scouting report on him from the FFSN Big Board.

Legette reminds me a lot of A.J. Brown in that he is a thickly-built receiver who finds a way to either get open or make a contested catch on a consistent basis. For a 225-pound receiver, Legette possesses acceptable change-of-direction skills and route-running ability, although that is definitely not the hallmark of his game. With impressive physicality at the point of attack and the speed to burn defenders deep, Legette is nearly impossible for a corner to cover without safety help over the top. If you let him get the inside track on a route, good luck defending the pass, as he does a wonderful job using his body to shield defenders away from the ball and make tough catches over the middle of the field. His strong hands also assist in that area. An underrated trait about Legette’s game is his ability to make a difference in the run game as a blocker. Legette isn’t afraid to do the dirty work for the benefit of his team, as he is a true team-first guy. His release off the line is not elite, and he occasionally makes his cuts in the route just a shade prematurely, but if he allows the game to slow down to him, he has incredible potential on the perimeter. He may never have versatility or elite route-running skills, but his explosiveness, both as a receiver and as a return man, make him a viable option for teams in the mid to late portions of Round 1.

Also Considered: Braden Fiske, Zach Frazier

Round 3, Pick 84- Mike Sainristill | CB | Michigan

I think Sainristill is probably off the board by Pick 51, if I are being honest, but since consensus rankings still have him rated as a third-round pick, I will justify it for my dream draft. Sainristill is Mike Hilton, except with better coverage skills. Here is my report on him from the FFSN Big Board.

If you want to talk about clutch players, the conversation should start and finish with Mike Sainristill. Some players simply have the knack for coming up with big plays in big moments, and Sainristill did it time and time again during his tenure at Michigan. His size will likely limit him to the slot in the NFL, but he can cover, tackle, and even blitz. Many compare him to Bengals cornerback Mike Hilton, and, while I see why many people make that comparison, I believe Sainristill is further along in his development in coverage than Hilton was coming out of college. What is even more impressive is that he is still learning the nuances of the position. He came to Michigan as a wide receiver, and he converted to the defensive side of the ball for his final two seasons. With some of the best ball skills and instincts of any corner in the class, Sainristill has the opportunity to make a difference in the NFL right away.

Also Considered: Jeremiah Trotter, Jr., Kiran Amegadjie

Round 3, Pick 98- Sedrick Van Pran | C | Georgia

Once again, I would not be shocked to see Van Pran taken a good 40 picks earlier than this, but there are enough people in the scouting community who believe Tanner Bortolini, Mason McCormick, and perhaps even Beaux Limmer are taken ahead of him. Thus, it is not out of the realm of comprehension and too good to pass up in an exercise like this. Here is my scouting report on him from the FFSN Big Board:

Van Pran may be the most under-the-radar superstar in this draft class. I was confident the Van Pran hype train would speed up by this point, but it hasn’t, and if it doesn’t soon, some team may be getting a steal. I am expecting Van Pran to test off the charts in Indy, as his explosiveness on tape is so evident. Creating leverage at the point of attack seems so natural and effortless for Van Pran, as his core strength and initial quickness off the snap combine to be a lethal aspect of his effectiveness in run blocking. One of the best athletes we’ve seen in awhile at the center position, Van Pran displays excellent mobility and fluidity, and he has proven to be stellar as it pertains to pulling. He will provide extra value for teams who require their center to get out in space. Teams that run a mixture of inside and outside zone concepts will love his ability to adapt to disguised blitzes and odd defensive alignments, while also being able to get to the second level as a run defender. His footwork could still use a little cleaning up, and he can get off-balanced when his stance isn’t set quick enough, but overall, I love Van Pran’s upside at the NFL level. He has perennial Pro-Bowler potential.

Also Considered: Ruke Orhorhoro, Zak Zinter

Round 4, Pick 119- Malik Mustapha | S | Wake Forest

Mustapha’s stock has risen from a late round project to a formidable mid-round prospect with upside. Here is my scouting report on him from the FFSN Big Board:

Mustapha has become one of my favorite mid-round prospects in this class. I love natural strong safeties with plus athleticism and an old-school mindset, and that defines Mustafa’s game. While he does not have elite size, he knows how to lay a hit on a receiver. A sound tackler in the open field, Mustapha displays great technique and takes smart tackling angles, and he also possesses good reaction speed in coverage. He lacks elite instincts, and that would probably be my biggest knock on him. However, With someone who can cover and tackle as consistently as he does, I believe he can overcome that. He almost reminds me of a smaller Terrell Edmunds, as he thrives in man coverage, consistently assists in the run game, and matches up extremely well against tight ends. If Mustapha falls to Day 3 of the draft, I believe teams could be getting a true difference maker at safety at an incredible value.

Round 6, Pick 178- Jonah Elliss | EDGE | Utah

I actually have a third-round grade on Elliss, simply because I love his tape. If he falls to this point of the draft, the Steelers should definitely consider it. Here is my breakdown of him from the FFSN Big Board:

It is hard to watch a game Utah played and not see Jonah Elliss constantly making life difficult on the quarterback. At 6’2, 248 pounds, Elliss does not provide exceptional size and strength to defend the run, but his motor is always running at 100%, and he finds creative ways to get into the backfield. Until he can improve his lack of lower-body strength, he will be incredibly limited as a run defender in the NFL, but if that strength improves after a little time in the weight room, his upside is through the roof. As a pass rusher, Elliss has a natural feel for getting after the quarterback, and, while his athleticism may not be off the charts, he displays impressive closing speed, active hands, and good bend. He will be able to contribute immediately as a situational pass rusher, and if he can add more weight to his lower half, he could develop into a player who will earn a large role and hold it for a decade. Guys like Elliss always tend to carve out a productive career.

Also Considered: Edefuan Ulofoshio, Shon Stephens

Round 6, Pick 195- Ainias Smith | WR | Texas A&M

Smith did not test as well athletically as I expected, but his play style is reminiscent of Antonio Brown’s. With his combination of quickness, vision, and speed in the open field, he is incredibly hard to bring down after the catch. Here is my breakdown of Smith from the FFSN Big Board:

I have had my eye on Ainias Smith for a couple seasons now, and despite facing adversity, he has battled through and developed into an intriguing draft prospect. He was arrested in 2022 with DWI and gun charges, but those charges were later dismissed. While I felt as if he never reached his full potential with the Aggies, his versatility was definitely put on display, as he aligned in the X-receiver position, the slot, and even running back. With the vision to find holes, the elusiveness to escape defenders, and the quickness to get upfield, Smith projects as a guy who can fill any of the aforementioned roles at the next level. His lack of size may limit him more to slot receiver and change-of-pace running back, but his game fits the modern NFL. Smith runs sharp underneath routes and is dangerous after the catch, which gives him immediate value to NFL teams. The production may not have been earth-shattering in 2023, but Smith is still a guy you should highlight as a name to watch once we get to the middle rounds of the draft.

Also Considered: Loren Strickland, Giovanni Manu

Reality Mock Draft

***TRADE***
Steelers trade Picks 20, 84, and a 2025 3rd round pick
49ers trade Pick 31 and WR Brandon Aiyuk

Round 1, Pick 31- Zach Frazier | C | West Virginia

I would prefer grabbing an elite tackle prospect in Round 1, but Frazier is a safe selection at the end of Round 1. His physicality and consistency translate immediately to the NFL. Here is Shannon White’s evaluation of Frazier from the FFSN Big Board:

Zach Frazier was born to play center for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He grew up in Fairmont, WV. Less than an hour from the Steel City. He is a life-long Steelers fan. Frazier was a two time state champion in football, and a four time state wrestling champion. Frazier has huge hands, almost 11”, which happen to be extraordinarily strong. He has a sturdy build, with excellent upper body strength and a solid base. His athleticism is extremely underrated. However, it’s all of the intangibles that truly set Frazier apart from his peers. Class, competitiveness, and character are off the charts. Frazier was also an academic All American at WVU. Intelligence and instincts are especially important at center. Frazier is the epitome of an old school center, and seems destined to be next in line for the Steelers unmatched legacy at center.

Also Considered: Troy Fautanu, Graham Barton

Round 2, Pick 51- Braden Fiske | DL | Florida State

The Steelers are dedicated to investing in the trenches, and Fiske plays like a Steeler. He is insanely athletic, and his motor is always running at 100%. Here is Jeremy Betz’s scouting report on him for the FFSN Big Board:

Fiske is an intriguing prospect with solid size and strength, albeit lacking the elite athleticism of some of his higher ranked counterparts. Fiske wins with great technique and hand usage. Effort is never a question as a team captain known for his leadership skills. This is a defender who understands his role and gap responsibility. He’s fairly scheme proof and can play multiple spots along the IDL. Teams looking for a do-it-all DT could do worse than Fiske.

Also Considered: Mike Sainristill, Malachi Corley

Round 3, Pick 98- Blake Fisher | OT | Notre Dame

Fisher is not the most polished tackle in the draft, but his upside is tremendous. Here is my breakdown of him from the FFSN Big Board:

Fisher will not be mistaken for Joe Alt as a prospect, but there is still massive upside long-term. Possessing ideal length, Fisher played right tackle for the Irish but has the body type to potentially play either tackle spot in the NFL. Despite not being a mauler with massive bulk, Fisher does a good job controlling defenders in the running game by timing his blocks well, but taking good blocking angles is an area he needs to show more consistency in. He makes a ton of sense for teams whose blocking schemes include a lot of combo blocks, thanks to his impressive nimbleness and agility. Numbers should never override the tape, but I was expecting a better 10-yard split time than the 1.82 he posted at the combine. The mobility in general is not bad, but when you go back to the tape, you’ll notice he does get out of his stance rather slowly. His first-step quickness is not that great, and that is honestly my biggest concern with him going forward. If he can fix that, he has the potential to become a Pro-Bowl caliber tackle.

Also Considered: Mason McCormick, Matt Goncalves

Round 4, Pick 119- Luke McCaffrey | WR | Rice

I really didn’t know what to do here, as I felt as if a cornerback made sense. Nonetheless, I went with the receiver, thinking the front office may decide to go all in on getting weapons for Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. Here is my breakdown of McCaffrey from the FFSN Big Board:

There is no shortage of NFL bloodlines and connections in this group of wide receivers, as Christian McCaffrey’s younger brother is yet another prospect whose pedigree gives him credibility in the draft community. Luke possesses similar athleticism to his brother, but he is three inches taller and possesses a slightly differing skill set. He attacks the ball and consistently makes impressive catches in key moments, and he practically never drops a pass. He is still fairly new to the position, having transitioned from quarterback. This is why I am excited about his long-term upside, because I truly believe he is capable of becoming a better route runner. He simply needs more time to develop in that area. Although McCaffrey possesses good speed, he goes from 0 to 100 and does not have different gears. He is also a little too upright and stiff when running routes. Despite all this, I believe he is an ideal developmental prospect to take a chance on once we get to Day 3. He has more upside than people realize.

Also Considered: M.J. Devonshire, Cedric Gray

Round 6, Pick 178- Shon Stephens | CB | Ferris State

Stephens is another player who had at least scheduled a visit with the Steelers. Considering the glaring hole at nickel corner, this pick would make a ton of sense. Here is my report on him from the FFSN Big Board:

The cousin of Steelers cornerback Joey Porter, Jr., Stephens is an intriguing prospect with plus upside. Stephens displays feistiness from the beginning of the snap until the whistle is blown, but at 5’9”, 173 pounds, there is only so much he can do from a physicality perspective. He cannot simply impose his will against anyone, and because of his lack of size, he struggles against the run. Having said that, I do like his savvy in coverage. He doesn’t overreact, but he is sudden in his lateral movements, displaying a great combination of twitchiness, quickness, and speed. Players with NFL bloodlines I always find intriguing, but when bloodlines are combined with proven production, there is true substance. Stephens also possesses strong instincts and ball skills, which boosts his long-term ceiling in the NFL. He will definitely be limited to the slot, but if he can add a few pounds, maintain his speed, and make tackles more consistently, he can find significant playing time as a nickel corner in the NFL.

Also Considered: Beanie Bishop, Cedric Johnson

Round 6, Pick 195- Jaden Crumedy | DL | Mississippi State

I am not as big a fan of Crumedy as many others, but he fits the mold of a prototypical Steelers defensive lineman. While it seems odd the team would double-dip at the position, DeMarvin Leal is not a guarantee to make the roster. Getting Cam Heyward’s replacement makes sense early, but adding depth later should not be discounted either. Crumedy is a solid athlete who possesses a consistent pad level and impressive power as a run defender.

Also Considered: Travis Clayton, Hunter Nourzad

Which mock draft did you like the best? What would be your dream mock draft? Be sure to light up the comment section below with your thoughts on this and all things NFL Draft!