3 safest selections Steelers could make in the 2022 NFL Draft

C Tyler Linderbaum, Iowa

I’ve seen many Steelers fans who are scared away from the idea of drafting Tyler Linderbaum in the first round. Pittsburgh spent their 2021 third-round pick on an undersized, athletic center who looked miserable during his rookie year.

While Kendrick Green and Linderbaum share similarities in terms of their size, athletic profile, and former wrestling backgrounds, that’s pretty much where the comparisons end. As prospects, Linderbaum is one of the best centers to come into the draft over the past decade, and many have compared him to the Eagles three-time First-Team All-Pro center, Jason Kelce.

Though Linderbaum does give a bit of ground against the bull rush when anchoring, he is a bully in the running game and does a terrific job at reach-blocking, sealing off defenders, and blocking in open space (which is exactly what the Steelers seem to be looking for along their offensive line).

Fans should not let the bitter taste of Kendrick Green’s rookie season sway them from believing that Linderbaum isn’t one of the safest picks in the draft. While I believe he’s a center-only at the next level, Pittsburgh should pounce on the opportunity to take one of the safest players in this draft if he happens to be on the board at this point.

This is a very deep group of offensive linemen with three tackles who are almost certain to be off the board before the Steelers are on the clock. By process of elimination, it seems likely that at least one of these players is on the clock with the 20th overall pick this year, and Pittsburgh should be prepared to take one of the safest players in the 2022 NFL Draft.