3 possible attack plans for Steelers early in the 2022 NFL Draft
By Tommy Jaggi
We have a pretty clear understanding of Pittsburgh’s priorities this offseason. Here are three possible plans of attack Steelers could deploy in the 2022 NFL Draft.
It’s impossible to predict the results of a team’s NFL Draft exactly. Even the folks working in the front office never know exactly how things are going to play out. However, based on history, draft trends, and needs, we have a pretty clear understanding of the direction the Pittsburgh Steelers could go in the 2022 NFL Draft.
The Steelers have major needs at quarterback and in both their offensive and defensive trenches. Based on their Senior Bowl visits and post-season press conferences from Mike Tomlin, Kevin Colbert, and Art Rooney II, here are three possible attack plans for Pittsburgh when they are on the clock this April:
Steelers Draft scenario 1:
Trade up for QB, spend second-round pick on OL
Pittsburgh doesn’t trade up often; however, they did so just three years ago for Michigan linebacker, Devin Bush. If Kevin Colbert was able to pull the trigger to move inside the top-10 for an off-ball linebacker, you better believe he would be willing to do the same for a quarterback the team has their sights set on.
Most assume that this quarterback will be Liberty’s Malik Willis, as the Steelers did a very poor job of hiding their interest in him during Senior Bowl week. A trade-up for a player like Willis could cost Pittsburgh as much as their first-round pick in 2023 (but Colbert won’t have to deal with the aftermath anyway).
If the Steelers do trade, I think they would rather give up elite capital in next year’s class rather than their second and/or third-round pick from 2022, as they are already short this year. After trading up to get their QB, I think it’s incredibly likely that Pittsburgh will try to offer him some protection with an offensive lineman in round two.