Creating a seven-round mock draft is a massive undertaking. So when Ian Cummings of the Pro Football Network put out a seven-rounder for the 2024 NFL draft, we had to give it a look.
Cummings has the Steelers trading up from pick No. 20 to No. 17 in the first round and giving up the No. 84 pick in this same draft to do it. Let’s break down each of the picks. And no hate Cummings, these types of projects are crazy hard.
First round - OT JC Latham, Alabama
Cummings had the Steelers trade up three spots to draft Latham, a powerful run blocker. But trading up to sneak ahead of the Bengals to pick him and seeing Amaraius Mims going well after him makes that trade seem foolish.
Second round - G Christian Haynes, UConn
Cummings says the Steelers would experiment with Haynes at center. That’s a no for me. The Steelers already did this dance with Kendrick Green and failed. No way they try that again.
Third round - Traded away
The pick the Steelers traded away turned into Michigan defensive tackle Kris Jenkins. If I have to pick between Latham or a combo of Mims and Jenkins, I’m taking the two picks 100 times out of 100.
Fourth round - CB Khyree Jackson, Oregon
Khyree Jackson in the fourth round is a nice value and would definitely add a playmaker in the defensive secondary. Solid pick at a position of need.
Fourth round - S Malik Mustapha, Wake Forest
Malik Mustapha is a crazy athlete and his skills make up for any lack of height. He’s definitely better than any player on the roster currently who would start next to Minkah Fitzpatrick.
Sixth round - CB Jarrian Jones, FSU
Not sure if Cummings meant to double up on cornerbacks but at this point in the draft, I’d much rather see a developmental wide receiver or defensive lineman to help bolster depth.
Seventh round - WR Devaughn Vele, Utah
I happen to really like Devaughn Vele as a prospect with his size and willingness to block. Just not sure if he will last to the seventh round. I’d probably have selected him in the sixth in this scenario and in this round go for a player like Nathaniel Watson or Tommy Eichenberg to help with the team’s inside linebacker situation.
Re-drafting the mock draft
Ok, so if this was my scenario, here is how it would have gone. First off there would be no trade up.
First round – OT Amarius Mims, Georgia
Second round – DT T’Vondre Sweat, Texas
Third round – WR Malik Washington, Virginia
Fourth round – CB Khyree Jackson, Oregon
Fourth round – S Malik Mustapha, Wake Forest
Sixth round – LB Marist Liufau, Notre Dame
Seventh round – QB Joe Milton, Tennessee
This mock misses out on a rookie center but it’s the way things fell. Jackson Powers-Johnson and Zach Frazier are the two guys I would target and one was gone before the Steelers first-round pick and the other before their second.
