Steelers trade up to get their new QB in this latest 2022 NFL mock draft
1.05, New York Giants: Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame
This is the best safety in the draft coming out of college in a while. Kyle Hamilton slipped a little as many expect him to go before the fifth selection but the Giants get a solid player. They might not have a desperate need at safety but the upgrade at the position was too hard to pass up on. They get a solid player that can help secure the position for years to come.
1.06, Carolina Panthers: Ikem Ekwonu
The Carolina Panthers have been irrelevant for many seasons now and they need to rebuild their team. They could always reach and go with a quarterback here but they still have Sam Darnold and others under contract for this season.
They can wait until next year to address that position, but the safe pick is getting the tackle here. Ikem Ekwonu is a bulldozer that can clear pathways with his physical demeanor that will help any offensive line come back to relevancy.
1.07, New York Giants: Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia
Jordan Davis is a crazy player that is a huge person physically and has amazing athletic traits. He will be a dominant force in the middle of a defense for many years to come. It will be interesting to see where he lands once the draft comes and goes but he is a first-round lock.
The Giants fell in love with him in this mock draft and were willing to go ahead and select him seventh overall. This pick could be the start of the trades when it comes to the quarterback carousel.
1.08, TRADE: Atlanta receives pick 11, 42, 2023 3rd rounder, Washington receives picks 8 and 2023 7th rounder.
Washington Commanders: Malik Willis, QB, Liberty
Malik Willis is coming off the best pre-draft process of all the quarterbacks in this class thus far. He has shown the highest ceiling moving forward and that will make him in talks to be the first signal-caller selected when the QB names start getting called.
Washington felt the need to move in front of the Seahawks and get their guy after being turned down to acquire Russel Wilson. They did go out and trade for Carson Wentz but he is not a future guy, he is a bridge-style quarterback. Allowing Willis time to learn behind an experienced signal-caller will help him a lot in his development. The Steelers lose out on their top choice for quarterback well before their selection.