Steelers mock draft: Pittsburgh foregoes QB to build trenches early

All eyes are on Pittsburgh’s quarterback situation, but here’s why I have them passing on a QB to build the trenches in my latest Steelers mock draft.

With the interest the Steelers showed in the quarterbacks at the Senior Bowl this year, it seems increasingly likely that taking a franchise passer could be the route Pittsburgh goes in the 2022 NFL Draft. However, that’s not guaranteed to be the case.

With several quarterback-needy team selecting ahead of the Steelers, there’ no guarantee that Kevin Colbert and Mike Tomlin will be able to secure the guy they like this year. In addition, we know that improving the trenches is a must in 2022. In my latest Steelers mock draft, I have Pittsburgh doing exactly that in the NFL Draft:

Steelers mock draft round 1: OG Zion Johnson

This might seem like an underwhelming pick, as Zion Johnson isn’t a name that is typically mentioned in the middle of the first round. Johnson was a fifth-year senior this past season and wasn’t considered an elite interior offensive line prospect going into the 2021 season.

Regardless, I don’t think Johnson would be a bad value pick for Pittsburgh here. Johnson was arguably the best offensive lineman at the Senior Bowl this year — displaying excellent footwork, balance, and technique in one-on-ones.

At 6′ 2 1/2” and 314 pounds with long arms and a terrific wingspan, Johson has a prototype build for an NFL guard, and it’s easy to see how his skill set will translate to the NFL.

For the Steelers, Johnson is a plug-and-play starter at right or left guard. He’s a guy who has the potential to stick around as a starter for decade and could even earn a Pro Bowl or two in his NFL career.