The Steelers have a ton of needs and the draft will be their major focus to address those issues with some of these perfect fits.
The 2022 NFL draft will come with some significant progress that needs to be made for the Steelers to get back into contention status. Many didn’t consider them contenders last season but they still made the playoffs. They go into 2022 with a lot of unknowns at many positions and they will have to find answers throughout the offseason.
Normally, this franchise likes to add players through the draft but they will have some extra cap space to spend. Free agency will have to be a big part of adding players to this club. The draft will be a huge part as usual but they will not have enough picks to address every need.
The Steelers normally look for certain traits in their prospects entering this event. Those traits include younger age, experience at the position, a football family background, and other things. They have normal criteria and that helps them focus on different players.
Honorable mentions
Darrian Beavers, LB, Cincinnati
Darrian Beavers was one of the cornerstones of the Cincinnati Bearcats defense ever since he transferred from Connecticut. He exploded onto the scene after he was finally able to get a chance on the field. Consistency has been the name of the game for this man in the middle.
He was able to be a consistent tackler and show some ability to get after the passer on blitzes. Beavers was even a finalist for the Dick Butkus Award, which is given to the best collegiate linebacker. The Steelers have met with this player and he will be someone to keep a close eye on day two of the draft.
Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina
Sam Howell is another quarterback that many will be watching when it comes time for the Steelers to pick on night one. He had two amazing seasons before this past year. 2021 was not kind to him as his stats fell off some and many are not as impressed with him as they were entering this past season.
The black and gold have shown a ton of interest in him during his final college year and that will lead many to speculate their interest. He has a good arm and mobility that the team will be looking for in Ben Roethlisberger’s successor. He needs to be more consistent going forward but a solid week at the Senior Bowl helped his draft stock. He is currently projected to be a late first-round selection.
Travis Jones, DT, Connecticut
Travis Jones had one of the best weeks during the entire Senior Bowl process when compared to the others participating. He was able to show explosiveness and get past the offensive lineman that he went up against. It was a great week for this player that is a big guy that can clog up the middle for any defensive front.
Many expect him to be a really good nose tackle option that will also play snaps on passing downs. His ability to stop the run and be a disrupter was on full display and his ability to be consistent against top competition stood out. Many wouldn’t expect much from a player coming out of the Connecticut program.
He raised his draft stock significantly since the Senior Bowl and many will now have their eyes on him. He needs to continue to test well and show his pass rush ability more before many project him higher in their mock drafts. This is a player that the Steelers could have interest in if he starts to slip.
Many expect Jones to go at some point on day two of the draft, especially after his solid outing down in Mobile. There could be some issues that drop his stock if he doesn’t test well or can’t convince teams that he isn’t much more than a run stopper. The Steelers need someone to come in and help on run-downs and this player would fit in perfectly in their depth.
Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
Trevor Penning is the nastiest offensive tackle in this draft class. The Steelers are looking for a player with this type of physicality on their front. He is coming from a small program and that does go against the normal tradition by not selecting a prospect that went to a non-power five school.
The club prefers to select someone with more pedigree when it comes to the type of school they come from. This player was able to handle his business against some of the best pass rushers down at the Senior Bowl. He consistently plays with an edge that no one was able to top.
Despite him not going to a power five program, he was able to form himself into a top prospect for the tackle position. It took a lot of hard work and dedication for him to get to this point in his athletic career. The Steelers will need to find a starting tackle this offseason, which might change tradition.
This Northern Iowa product might not be their top choice but based on how certain dominoes fall, he might be their best choice. Some might question his ability to handle speed rushers on the outside at the NFL level so he might have to move inside to guard at the next level. That would still be efficient for Pittsburgh as they will be on the hunt for a starting guard as well.
Many expect Penning to go at some point at day one, probably in the middle portions. He is good enough to be something special at the next level. The team that takes him will probably envision him as a tackle at first and have a fallback option of him at guard if need be.
Chad Muma, LB, Wyoming
Chad Muma was another player that the Steelers showed some interest in during the Senior Bowl process. The best ability that this prospect brings with him is his availability on the football field. He can play all three downs and contribute to the defense and special teams immediately.
Right now this linebacker is in the second tier for his draft class but he has promising traits. His ability to cover, rush the passer, and stick his nose in during the run game is solid. He may not be the most athletic but some are comparing him to Vince Williams coming out of college.
The Steelers need a middle linebacker roaming their defense. Devin Bush will get another shot to be the top dog in that room but he is coming off a poor performance in 2021. Joe Schobert’s future is in question after he didn’t play up to his contract, he could be released to bring more cap space to the club.
The biggest question that will face Muma during the draft process will be if he can play at a high level against top competition. He has not faced the toughest opponents during his time playing at Wyoming. The NFL will be a huge step forward for him.
He has all the necessary skills to translate over nicely to the NFL. Right now, this linebacker is graded as being a second-day selection by many. Either sometime during the second or third round seems like a solid addition for any team in need of his position.
Tyler Linderbaum, OC, Iowa
Tyler Linderbaum is someone that is gaining a lot of steam in the mock draft circles going to the Steelers. Mock drafts are just projections and talk so they are not very accurate but there is a fit here. This player is one of the best center prospects to come out of college in years and the black and gold might be looking for someone that plays his position.
His experience and ability are what many scouts will be enthralled with. He is a commanding presence in the middle of the trenches that will fix any team’s issues at the spot for years to come. Many clubs will be interested in using their first-round pick on him but he could slip as many past drafts have shown.
The history of centers holding high value just has not been there when you research the history. Many are selected in the later portions of the first round when it does occur. Linderbaum might change that thought process with his great abilities and other positions lacking highly rated players.
Many have this center going to the Steelers if he falls to them but he might not be there. Some have him as high as the top ten selections of the draft while others have him slipping some. With the question marks of Kendrick Green, this might be the pick if he is there at 20.
Connor Heyward, FB/RB/TE, Michigan State
Connor Heyward is a type of player that Mike Tomlin will fall in love with during the draft process. This young buck is the younger brother of Cam Heyward. Those NFL ties and family roots are something Pittsburgh covets in talent acquisition.
The Steelers also like implementing a swiss army knife type of player that can play multiple spots on the team. Heyward will be able to play good snaps on special teams and contribute in certain offensive packages. This football player is physical and willing to do anything to help his team win.
Jaylen Samuels was a player that Tomlin liked and came out of college playing different positions like running back and some tight-end. Heyward has been utilized more in the blocking and passing game this past year at Michigan State. He had to change his game and focus on becoming more of a tight end and full back.
He is a big physical player that can overpower his opponents. He will need to get better in the technical aspects of his game in the NFL. Most will see him as a full-back but he can also transition to tight end or a hybrid player to deploy on offense.
He has a good ability to catch passes with some soft hands that many will be surprised by. Heyward would be a nice addition to provide competition for Derek Watt and the last tight end spot on the Steelers. He is currently projected to go late on day three, which would be a nice seventh-round pick by the black and gold.
Malik Willis, QB, Liberty
Malik Willis had the best week at the Senior Bowl out of all the quarterbacks down there. He was able to show his dual-threat ability both in practice and in the game. This prospect started falling in the eyes of evaluators but after his great start in the pre-draft process, he will likely be a first-round lock.
Not only will this player be selected in the first round, but he might be selected in the top 12. He is a dynamic athlete that many will be looking for to lead their offense for years to come. Willis has the biggest upside out of any quarterback coming out of college in the 2022 NFL draft.
The Steelers need to find a starter to lead their offense and Mike Tomlin is on record saying he wants someone mobile. This prospect would fit that bill as he has crazy speed and a great arm to match. This should be the target for the black and gold if he can fall to their pick.
He might not be there once Pittsburgh’s selection at 20 comes around but many will keep a close eye on the scouting reports. Some have also reported that Willis is the guy the Steelers covet and want to pick but they might not get the chance.
This player is rising draft boards in this weak class at his position. He could be graded as the top guy if he can continue a great pre-draft process. This will probably be the black and golds selection if this player is available no matter if you like the risk or not.
Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State
Christian Watson was one of the standouts during the entire week at the Senior Bowl. He was able to show explosiveness and the ability to make plays with the football in his hands. He comes from the powerhouse of North Dakota State so this player is used to playing at a high level.
He brings all the tools that the Steelers look for when they draft a receiver. Watson has size, athleticism, and body control that will interest many NFL teams. He is willing to do whatever it takes to help his offense move down the field.
He played all over the offense as a Bison in college and was able to make explosive plays. That versatility will interest many clubs as they can look at lining him up all over the field. He is a fun player to watch and should’ve gotten more targets during the Senior Bowl game.
The Steelers will show some interest in this player because he will be a day two selection and they like taking receivers then. They also have a track record of reaching far and wide to find talent at the position. It doesn’t matter to them if a receiver went to a smaller program or a more known one.
Right now, Watson is expected to go somewhere between the second and third rounds of the draft. He is going to be a good player in this league. He is a physical athlete that can create plays for any offense that he plays on.
Zion Johnson, OL, Boston College
Zion Johnson is a big force for the interior position that he plays. He had the best week at the Senior Bowl and was even voted as the MVP at the end of the week. He dominated his competition and was able to show some flexibility as well.
During his week down in Mobile, he was able to show his natural position at guard but also flex to the center spot as well. He has not logged many snaps at center but showing scouts that he could always give you a chance there makes things interesting. One of the best things a rookie can do entering the league is play multiple spots across the offensive line and this prospect can play any position in between the tackles.
The Steelers need a guard or center depending on what they decide to do with Kendrick Green moving forward. The thought process of selecting Johnson with the 20th overall pick would be a lock for a solid guard for years to come. He could also come in and challenge Green for the starting center spot and see which will play guard from there.
The black and gold desperately need help across the offensive line and this player’s unique traits and flexibility will interest the club. They need to find options and this lineman would give them different looks. He is a dominant force in the middle of the trenches that would boost this team into a better direction upfront.
Roger McCreary, CB, Auburn
Roger McCreary is a solid corner that plays his best football in man coverage. That is music to the Steelers ears as they look for their corners to play well in those instances from time to time. They do enjoy playing zone coverage as well but with a new defensive coordinator, that might change.
Both Joe Haden and Ahkello Witherspoon will both become free agents in March and those would be two huge losses. The team should opt to keep Witherspoon if they have to choose between him and Haden. Since he was traded to Pittsburgh, he was excellent in the late portions of the 2021 season.
No matter if one of those two is brought back or not, cornerback is going to be a major need. The inside slot seems like it will be filled with Cam Sutton but they will need to find one or two starters on the outside. McCreary might be an option at pick 20 for this team.
Pittsburgh has struggled to find and develop cornerbacks since Mike Tomlin took over the coaching duties in the Steel City. This player is compared to Steven Nelson and that is a solid NFL player that could be brought on board. This prospect is expected to be selected at some point in the late first-round or early second round.
Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh
Kenny Pickett is someone that the majority of Steelers fans want the team to select. They have seen him grow from a freshman in college to an elite Heisman finalist in his last year playing for the Panthers. He jumped forward in his progression as a player during his final season at the University of Pittsburgh.
The issue that will destroy the hope for those fans that want Pickett to wear the black and gold is his draft stock. There are currently about four or so teams in front of Pittsburgh that need a quarterback in the first round. It is far from likely that this player will even come close to pick 20.
This prospect had an insane year that got many NFL scouts to look in his direction. Many think of him as the best option at his position in the 2022 draft. He has the mobility factor, the accuracy, and he is the most pro-ready out of any quarterback available.
The biggest issue for Pickett is his arm strength not being the best. That will limit him to medium and short-range throws during the majority of his playing time. He is projected to be a top ten selection when the draft comes around. It is unlikely that the Steelers have a shot at getting him unless they trade a bunch of future picks to move up and pick him.
The Steelers have been able to draft and develop talent since their start as a franchise. This franchise looks for specific things that fit into their mindset as a team and these players fit that bill.