2019 NFL Draft: Pittsburgh Steelers 7-round mock draft

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A one time only mock draft because Steelers fans have suffered enough this offseason

We have finally reached that stage of the offseason where I subject readers to my annual mock draft, a one-time only offering that has not really been accurate since correctly predicting the opening few rounds of the 2013 draft. That year I called the selections of Jarvis Jones, Markus Wheaton, Shamarko Thomas and Landry Jones, arguably one of the worst draft classes the Steelers have picked in recent memory.

That should give you some sort of indication of my eye for talent and it is perhaps also worth noting that the one player I missed out on in the early rounds that year was Le’Veon Bell. I went with Eddie Lacy instead. In 2018, James Washington in round two was the only pick I had right, while James Conner was the only player I correctly identified in 2017, albeit going to the Steelers in round five. Genius right?

If you are still reading at this point, I can only assume you are interested to see which names I have cursed by slotting them to Pittsburgh. So what that in mind, I apologize for jinxing any of your favorites by including them in my mock.

It is hard to picture the Steelers using all 10 of the picks they currently own and it would not surprise me to see a move up in the first-round to grab Michigan linebacker Devin Bush if they get close enough to take him.

For all the talk of Temple cornerback Rock Ya-Sin as the name the coaching staff has zeroed in on at No.20, I struggle to see Pittsburgh taking him over names like Byron Murphy and Greedy Williams. My conviction it will not happen probably means that Ya-Sin is the pick.

Among the other players I considered for my curse this year were Penn State running back Miles Sanders and Georgia wide receiver Mecole Hardman in rounds three or four, Florida safety Chauncey Gardner-Johnson or Michigan State cornerback Justin Layne in round two and Williams or Murphy in round one.

Wisconsin edge rusher Andrew Van Ginkel also narrowly avoided being included as a round six selection and LSU tight Foster Moreau was almost the pick in round five. Hopefully I have not jinxed them all just by mentioning them here.