Steelers 2022 mock draft: DB and OL dominate early rounds

Steelers round 3:

The Steelers continue to address the secondary in the third round, this time targeting a strong safety to replace Edmunds long-term. There are quite a few intriguing options at strong safety this offseason. Unfortunately, the team can’t address this position until the third round due to needs elsewhere, but a player like Lewis Cine could make up for that down the road due to his solid play.

Now, Cine isn’t any sort of elite prospect in the secondary, but he has been a steady presence in the Bulldogs defense. The closer he is to the line of scrimmage the better he is, as he is an aggressive tackler and run defender. He needs to be better in pass defense though, which is the primary reason a player of his caliber falls to the third round.

The plan would be some sort of veteran (likely Karl Joseph at this point) starting at strong safety early as Cine gets adjusted to the NFL. His ceiling is high, as his play is pretty reminiscent of an Edmunds style of player.

Cine will probably never be an elite strong safety, but he should develop into an average starter that will be a good defensive back at stopping the run. The team needs a new face there, and Cine makes the most sense once you get into the third round.