Predicting Steelers top-5 first-round targets in the 2022 NFL Draft

Matt Corral #2 of the Mississippi Rebels. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
Matt Corral #2 of the Mississippi Rebels. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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Liberty Flames quarterback Malik Willis (7). Mandatory Credit: Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports /

1. QB Malik Willis, Liberty

Pittsburgh’s number one draft target remains the same as I believe it has been from the gate: Liberty quarterback, Malik Willis. This is a player the Steelers seemed infatuated with since the Senior Bowl, and they haven’t given us any reason to believe that has changed.

Mike Tomlin has expressed wanting a mobile quarterback after Ben Roethlisberger, and Willis certainly fits the bill. He’s a ball of clay waiting to be molded with his elite arm and great overall upside.

Acquiring Willis will be the challenge, however, as it seems there’s a chance he could be taken as high as the second overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. In fact, I’ve heard whispers that the Steelers have already been one of the multiple teams looking to trade up for him.

When it’s all said and done, Willis seems likely to go ahead of Pittsburgh this year, and the Steelers would need to be willing to trade additional draft capital in order to move up and acquire him. We will see if this is possible on draft day.

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If you’re wondering why I only had quarterbacks in my top-five projected first-round targets for the Steelers, it’s because I genuinely believe they will lock themselves into taking one of these QBs this year. I hope I’m wrong, but if not, let’s hope they make the right decision.