The Steelers season hasn’t even begun yet but there will be obvious holes to fill next offseason.
The 2022 NFL Draft is still months away and these prospects still have a lot to prove. Their game has room to grow and they can show some of that growth over the next eight to nine months as the draft process plays out. This upcoming college season will help determine a player’s general range as to when they’ll be selected in the upcoming event.
There are some really good prospects with solid positional depth, while others struggle to show much at all. We will see electric players with big names as others that will come out of the shadows and into the spotlight. There are always stories that play out as the season, combine, and other draft processes come and go.
The Steelers mock draft is one with fewer picks at the moment. They only have five selections in the 2022 draft but that could go up before the event starts. The pre-season could bring in some extra picks via trade and Pittsburgh is projected to at least get one compensatory pick for what they lost in free agency over the past offseason. It is very early to do a mock draft but it is always fun to conjecture who could potentially be wearing the black and gold this time next year.
There will be plenty of holes to fill as this franchise makes one last all-in approach to this year. There will be plenty of players leaving in free agency and potentially retiring after the season concludes. The major needs will be at quarterback, cornerback, and safety. Other major needs will have to be filled but that could also happen in the free agency process as the Steelers will have some of the biggest cap space to spend in the NFL.
TRADE: The Pittsburgh Steelers trade pick 18 to the Indianapolis Colts for picks 24 & 88
Round 1, Pick 24: Brandon Joseph, Safety, Northwestern
Brandon Joseph has had an incredible career at Northwestern as a Wildcat. Their secondary has been one of the best in the Big Ten Conference. Joseph has been a big part of their program’s development into one of the top groups in the country over the last couple of seasons.
This player will easily be a first-round selection in April if he continues his current pace. He makes flashy plays and is a solid Strong Safety. The Steelers are going to desperately need a starter there with Terrell Edmunds likely gone after this year. Joseph would be an upgrade for a replacement and would help Minkah Fitzpatrick to finally get a solid starting partner in the secondary.
Pittsburgh traded back with the Colts and got more draft selections by picking up an extra third-round pick by moving back. These are all projections with this draft simulator but one that makes fair sense as the black and gold move back six spots. They still get a really good player while also getting a pick, which they need after not having many of their selections on day three. This would be a great scenario as the team moves back to get an extra high draft choice and still gets a solid day one starter for their secondary that desperately needs it.
Round 2, Pick 50: Mykael Wright, CB, Oregon
Mykael Wright was just sitting there at pick 50 and the Steelers should love seeing that. His height isn’t ideal at just 5’11 but this is a great corner coming into the NFL. He would be a great selection in the second round and the team is going to need him to contribute immediately. Joe Haden could be gone after this year so a starting spot will open up.
Round 3, Pick 82: Kedon Slovis, QB, USC
Ben Roethlisberger will probably be gone after 2021 and Kedon Slovis will try to become the answer. Trial and error is the usual formula when finding the next face of the franchise for many. The black and gold cannot go into next season with Mason Rudolph and Dwayne Haskins as the only options for being the starter in 2022. Enter Slovis who has shown solid starting potential in the collegiate ranks. He needs to be more consistent and he could improve his draft stock with a solid 2021 season.
Round 3, Pick 88: Sam Williams, EDGE, Ole Miss
Melvin Ingram is only in Pittsburgh for one season so figuring out the depth behind T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith will be another major need. Sam Williams has been productive during his career at Ole Miss. His size is big, which reminds many of Bud Dupree. This is a big year for this player as he can shoot up draft boards if he can keep up consistent production over an entire season. He has not gotten that chance because of last year’s Covid shortened year.
Round 4, Pick 118 (Compensatory): Thayer Munford, OT, Ohio State
In this mock draft scenario, Pittsburgh gets a fourth-round compensatory pick. They use that selection on a tackle. This is a big year for Chuks Okorafor but he does not seem like the future at left tackle. Perhaps Dan Moore Jr. will become that answer but getting better depth at the position should be on the Steelers to-do-list. Thayer Munford is a solid tackle that needs some work as a project prospect but he could become the swing tackle on this team instantly.
Round 7, Pick 199: Jaquez Ezzard, WR, Sam Houston State
Both James Washington and JuJu Smith-Schuster are likely gone after this season ends and that is a major hole for this receiving group. This team loves to draft receiving talent early but they couldn’t accomplish that in this draft. Jaquez Ezzard has only played one full season in 2018 but has played a high level of ball during that year. This year will be huge for him and the black and gold take a flyer on him.
Round 7, Pick 213: Ellis Brooks, LB, Penn State
Linebacker might not seem like a major need right now but the depth behind the starter is continuously in a state of flux. Brooks has had a decent chunk of playing time ever since going to Penn State. The team knows the in-state program well and that could help bring this Nittany Lion over. Special teams are huge for players being selected this late and he could fit that bill. He is a hard-working player that is not afraid to cover kicks or punts, which will appeal to Pittsburgh.
There is still a lot of time between now and the draft. Both the team and these players will have a lot of ball ahead of them that could alter the draft process entirely.