Head-scratching three-round Steelers mock draft

The Steelers have three picks in the top 50 of the 2023 NFL Draft. And although they have a number of holes to fill, the latest three-round mock draft has some scratching their heads.

NFL.com draft analyst Chad Reuter has Pittsburgh selecting Iowa edge rusher Lukas Van Ness to start off its draft at No. 17.

Van Ness isn't a bad pick, ranking as the No. 12 overall prospect on Pro Football Focus' big board after tallying 69 tackles and 13.5 sacks over the past two seasons. However, he wouldn't fill a position of great need as the Steelers already have the 2021 Defensive Player of the Year in T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith who just posted a career-best 14.5 sacks in 2022.

Pittsburgh then kicks off day two with pick No. 32 after dealing WR Chase Claypool to the Bears. Reuter has the team drafting Baylor DT Siaki Ika.

Ika does fill a position of need on the interior of the defensive line. Standing at 6-foot-4, 358 pounds, Ika posted 47 tackles, four sacks and three passes defensed during his time at Baylor.

However, offensive tackle and corner, arguably the Steelers' two biggest positions of need, are still left untouched following their first two picks.

Reuter finally has them picking up an offensive tackle in Oklahoma's Anton Harrison at pick No. 49. Harrison may be Reuter's best pick and could be a steal for Pittsburgh if he fell here. The 6-foot-5, 315-pound tackle ranks as the No. 30 overall prospect on PFF's big board.

To wrap up the three-round mock draft, the Steelers finish by selecting Texas RB Roschon Johnson at pick No. 80. This may be the most surprising pick as the team already has a solid running back duo in Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren.

Johnson would provide even more depth to the room, but taking a corner or even linebacker here feels like the better move.

Reuter's three-round mock draft wouldn't be the worst thing for Pittsburgh, especially if other positions are filled in free agency. However, Steelers fans will likely hope for something a little better.