The 25 most likely Steelers defensive targets in 2022 draft

Steelers defensive prospect #12

A name that has heated up as a potential first-round pick if the Steelers don’t go quarterback, Daxton Hill is an athletic freak that excels in coverage. He enjoyed three productive years at Michigan and now is set to be a first-round pick in this draft. The Steelers had both Tomlin and Colbert at his pro day, which means Hill is very much in the conversation for pick 20.

Add in the combine interview and Hill is a player squarely on the Steelers radar. His versatility is his calling card, as he can play deep, in the box, and even in the slot. His coverage skills are his best trait, as he can match up in man coverage or use his twitchy athleticism in zone defense. He has the makings of a versatile chess piece in the secondary because of this.

The reason I hesitate to put him any higher on this list is his size. While fine for a free safety or a cornerback, the team usually likes their strong safeties to be bigger. Hill’s frame isn’t that, thus leading to some questions about his ability to play in the box. That said, with defenses becoming smaller overall, Hill should be able to play in the Steelers scheme.