We’re now less than six weeks from the NFL draft and things are starting to take shape for the Steelers and their draft plan following an active free agency period that saw them sign some of their key free agents as well as one outside free agent who is likely to earn a starting job.

The signing of former San Diego tight end Ladarius Green means the Steelers don’t need to draft a tight end early and perhaps not at all. The same goes for a guard after Ramon Foster re-signed. The Steelers also locked up their top cornerback when they signed William Gay, but that won’t prevent them from taking a cornerback in Round 1.

The Steelers might not be done in free agency, but here is my latest four-round mock draft (3.0) after the first week in free agency.

1. William Jackson III, cornerback, Houston. I had Eli Apple in this spot in my first two mock drafts. I’d still take him if he’s available at No. 25, but he performed so well at the combine that many of the draft analysts who are plugged in to coaches and general managers believe Apple won’t be there when the Steelers pick. So I’m plugging in another player who did very well at the combine. Jackson ran a 4.37 and showed off his athleticism in Indianapolis, vaulting himself into the first round conversation. Most analysts had a second-round grade on him before the combine, but his upside might be too much for the Steelers to pass up even if he might not be a Day 1 starter.

2. Karl Joseph, strong safety, West Virginia. This hard-hitting strong safety will help in the run game and be a deterrent for any opposing receivers who decide to run routes over the middle. At 5-10, he’s not ideal size for today’s NFL safeties, but he can make up for that with his big-play ability by forcing fumbles and breaking up pass plays. He missed the second half of last season with a knee injury so he’ll have to check out medically, but his brute force might just be a fit for a defense that is looking to reclaim its reputation as a physical and fearful unit.

3. Carl Nassib, defensive end, Penn State. Here is your rotational defensive lineman to sub in so Cam Heyward and Stephon Tuitt aren’t run into the ground like they were last season. He is 6-7, 277 and has plenty of room to add weight, which he’ll have to do to be a productive player at the next level. He won’t be rushed with the Steelers, who can pick and choose spots to utilize his pass rushing skills at the start of his career.

4. Harlan Miller, cornerback, Southeastern Louisiana. The Steelers need bodies and competition at cornerback. Doran Grant, last year’s fourth-round pick, struggled during his rookie season and his future is uncertain. The Steelers could take a look at him at safety. Ross Cockrell played OK after coming over from Buffalo, but the Steelers can use another tall and rangy corner to deal with the league’s bigger receivers. Miller fits the bill at 6-0, 182, and he has a physical presence about him.

First Published: April 8, 2016, 7:37 p.m.