The Steelers are showing their hand with their intentions in the 2022 NFL Draft and that shows up in this mock draft.
The 2022 NFL Draft is less than a week away and there could be some fireworks for the Steelers. They have shown a ton of interest in these quarterbacks coming out of college and up for selections. The top five specifically could go in almost any order and it wouldn’t surprise many.
This draft class has some good prospects and some that are more favored based on their potential. A lot of these quarterbacks are looked at with their potential in the minds of evaluators. There are truly no top dogs for the position, but there are favorites that the majority like over another.
There could always be another position going to Pittsburgh in the first round, but it looks like they have a plan to leave night one with a new signal-caller. They have focused too much on the position to ignore it now unless another talent unexpectedly fell to them. That would probably be the only way they would neglect the quarterback position, but even then, they might still go with one.
The black and gold will have some struggles in trade-up scenarios as they will likely look into it. They want a certain quarterback and could trade up to get him. They only have seven selections this year, but they are without a couple of their own picks due to prior trades in 2021.
It is going to be a fun night and in this mock draft, the Steelers pull off a blockbuster trade. This mock was run through a draft simulation and the picks were made accordingly. These picks are based on fit, pre-draft interest, and value of a pick at the time of the selection.
TRADE: Steelers get picks 5, 112 (4th rounder), and 2023 5th rounder, New York Giants get picks 20, 84 (3rd rounder), 2023 1st and 4th rounder.
1.05: Malik Willis, QB, Liberty
The Steelers decide to make a major gamble and get their top-rated quarterback in this draft. They have shown a ton of interest in every player at the position, but Malik Willis seems to be their main target. This would be very uncommon for the team to trade up this far, but they also made a move to get Devin Bush just a few years ago.
Now they get a young quarterback that will have a ton of time to continue his development from the sidelines. Willis is still a work in progress with amazing physical gifts that can help him along the way. Mitch Trubisky will be the starter until this Liberty product is ready to go. It is completely possible that Pittsburgh stands pat and waits to select their highest-rated quarterback at 20, but they couldn’t pass up this chance.
If the franchise truly feels like this is their answer at quarterback for years to come, then they will find a way to get this player. They truly only trade back from their first and third-round picks this year and back from their fourth-rounder next year, plus give up their first-rounder in 2023. That’s not too bad of a price to move up 15 spots on night one.
Others that were considered: Jordan Davis, Matt Corral, Desmond Ridder
Jordan Davis could be the pick at 20 no matter who else is available, he has gained a lot of attention from Pittsburgh. Both Matt Corral and Desmond Ridder are realistic options for this team if they stay at 20 and draft the best remaining quarterback. All three would be good choices at pick 20, depending on who falls.
2.52: DeMarvin Leal, DE, Texas A&M
DeMarvin Leal is the pick here as the Steelers next selection isn’t until round four. He put up great numbers during his time at Texas A&M. He had a breakout season in 2021 and has been getting better during his three years playing in college.
This prospect is a great athlete that brings the size and skill that Pittsburgh looks for when they take a defensive lineman in the draft. His best football looks to still be in front of him. Many want to see youth infused into the defensive trenches and this player accomplishes that.
Stephon Tuitt’s future is officially still up in the air, despite many reporters believing that he will be back in 2022. Adding insurance and great depth to the position is something that the team couldn’t pass up on here. Securing the future of this front is something that needs to be accomplished and that starts here.
Others that were considered: Christian Watson, Justyn Ross, Jaquan Brisker
Wide receiver could very well be the major focus in round two of the draft as there is a history of them picking the position then. Christian Watson will probably be off the board, but a guy like Justyn Ross would be a great fit and could be there at pick 52. Jaquan Brisker is another guy the Steelers showed a lot of interest in, despite the possibility of bringing back Terrell Edmunds still being a possibility.
4.112 (acquired via trade): Wan’Dale Robinson, WR, Kentucky
The Steelers must wait after their only pick on day two of the draft, but they pick up with a strong selection here. The team has not shown a ton of interest in Wan’Dale Robinson in the pre-draft process thus far, but he makes a ton of sense. The receiving group needs to add a player or two in the draft, especially one early on.
Adding Robinson here kills two birds with one stone. He is an explosive and speedy guy that can be deployed in the slot. This would allow Chase Claypool and Diontae Johnson to stay on the outside and do their thing. This prospect has lined up mostly as a receiver but also as a running back at certain points in his college career.
One of the biggest knocks on Robinson is his size. He is a very short and light player, but he was able to put up remarkable numbers in the SEC with Kentucky. That offense had a run-first mindset, but this player was able to adapt and become an offensive weapon. He would be a nice value in the fourth round.
Others that were considered: Makquese Bell, D’Marco Jackson, Justin Shaffer
Markquese Bell could always fall further in the draft, and he would be a nice value in the later rounds. A linebacker in D’Marco Jackson would be another solid selection as he plays a nice speed game. Justin Shaffer is a guard that would bring some more depth and competition to the interior of the offensive line.
4.138: Cordell Volson, OT, North Dakota State
Getting another tackle almost seems to be a lock in this draft. The Steelers decide to go with Cordell Volson with their second fourth-round pick. He is a project tackle, but he has high upside.
Both Dan Moore Jr. and Chuks Okorafor will be the starters at the two tackle spots but finding a future and insurance behind those two needs to be addressed. He is a tough and physical player that the team has been looking for since last year’s draft.
Others in consideration: Tycen Anderson, Cordale Flott, Markquese Bell
Some of these names might be a little too rich for the fourth round, but the Steelers don’t have a fifth-round pick. Tycen Anderson is a safety that played well for the Toledo Rockets. Both him and Markquese Bell are on here for the same reasons. Cordale Flott has good size and athleticism that would bring competition to the cornerback room.
6.208: Danny Gray, WR, SMU
Danny Gray in the sixth round would be great value and he fell in this mock draft. He is a very fast receiver option that would be a solid fourth receiver for the Steelers. He would slide in nicely behind Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool on the depth chart.
Others in consideration: Brad Hawkins, Jeremiah Moon, Lucas Krull
Brad Hawkins is another safety option depth piece that would compete on special teams. Jeremiah Moon is a linebacker that could be compared to Vince Williams coming out of college. Lucas Krull is a tight end out of Pittsburgh that would give special teams competition and a chance to land the third spot on the roster.
7.225: Tyrion Davis-Price, RB, LSU
Tyrion Davis Price would be worth one of the last selections for the Steelers in the draft. They need to find a reliable back that can run the ball while Najee Harris takes a breather on the sideline.
This back would accomplish that as he possesses good vision and ability to find running lanes. He needs to work on catching the ball and in pass protection, but he would help immediately for what this offense needs.
Others in consideration: Luke Wattenberg, Matt Araiza, D.J. Dale
Luke Wattenberg is an offensive lineman that could get a look at this point in the draft if offensive line hasn’t been addressed. Punter should be locked in for the Steelers, but Matt Araiza has been special in college football and could get some attention. D.J. Dale would be a fallback option if the defensive line isn’t a focus early on.
7.241: Connor Heyward, FB/TE, Michigan State
Connor Heyward will continue to get attention from mock drafts everywhere until the event is over. The Steelers love to keep football families close and adding Cam Heyward’s brother seems like a possibility, especially this late in the draft. He can play running back, tight end, and full back which is something that the team loves seeing in a player’s versatility.
Others in consideration: Decobie Durant, Jordan Stout, Carson Wells
Decobie Durant would bring in a cornerback, which was totally neglected in this simulation. Jordan Stout was another punter that was interesting despite it being unlikely for the club to draft a player at the position two years in a row. Carson Wells would provide some competition at the edge position for this team that desperately needs it.
The Steelers get out of this draft by addressing some pressing needs across their roster. Overall, they got better in this mock draft, even though trading up for Malik Willis is a big gamble.