Steelers 2022 mock draft: DB and OL dominate early rounds
By Andrew Falce
Steelers rounds 5-7:
The Steelers don’t have a pick in the sixth round as it currently stands, but they continue to attack their depth needs in the fifth and seventh rounds. The team needs to add another body at edge rusher as the team is extremely thin here after the Ingram trade. More than likely a veteran will be brought in to serve as the backup edge rusher, but a rookie could be developed to take on that role.
Mitchell Agude isn’t a hot name in the edge class from UCLA, but he has been a regular presence on his line and has been adept at getting after the quarterback. This edge class doesn’t have great depth, so the pickings are slim, but Agude has good size and special teams’ potential. He needs to bulk up, but long-term he could become a valuable backup.
Danny Gray isn’t a notable name at receiver due to SMU being a middling team, but he has good size and the ability to win deep as an outside receiver. During his senior year at SMU, Gray has been averaging an impressive 16.4 yards per catch. He isn’t a blazing athlete, but he has more than enough speed to win deep.
He will enter a likely new Steelers receiving core that no longer features JuJu Smith-Schuster. While the team could target a slot receiver more so than an outside deep threat, I think the team ends up moving Chase Claypool more into the slot. Even if not, the team needs a depth body outside and Gray would fit that role.
Rounding out the draft is Robert Cooper from Florida St. The defensive lineman isn’t a notable pass rusher at this point, but he is stout when tasked with stopping the run. His size screams nose tackle for the Steelers, as he is short and big, weighing in at 335 pounds. He would be a valuable addition to a line that has been decimated by injuries.
He only has 2.5 sacks to his name while with the Seminoles, but he has been a fixture in their run defense. While Carlos Davis is providing some hope with his return, the team has seemingly given up on Isaiah Buggs. That means they will need a new backup nose tackle next year. Cooper should be a fine option to compete for that final defensive line roster spot.
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The Steelers will need a lot out of their upcoming seven draft picks as the team hopes to rebuild. While quarterbacks will dominate the headlines, this team would benefit from building up the weaker areas on their roster. This team has a lot of needs, but this mock seems to address most of the bigger needs the team will have next offseason.