Steelers 2022 NFL Draft: Final first-round mock draft with trades

1.05, New York Giants: Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati

The New York Giants will likely select a cornerback with one of their first-round picks. They have James Bradberry on the trade block and need to find talent in the secondary. They selected a talented cornerback here that dominated in college.

The New York Jets have shown a lot of interest in this player as well but decided to pass on him at four. This would be a nice way to kick off their draft and get a corner that has developed into a potential star at the next level. He has the mindset and ability that will help him deal with the extra pressure of New York.

1.06, TRADE: Houston trades up to pick 6 from Carolina.

Houston Texans: Kyle Hamilton, Safety, Notre Dame

Some recent rumblings coming out of Carolina is the possibility of them trading down in the draft. That would be somewhat of a shocker, especially after how much interest they have in most of these quarterbacks. They do that here and allow for the Texans to move up and select the top-rated safety in this class. The Steelers have shown interest in Kyle Hamilton, but it was more due diligence in case he slipped all the way to 20.

Hamilton has seen his stock drop some in this draft even though there is little reason behind it. He ran a slower 40 time, but this guy is one of the best safeties coming out of college in years. Houston needs a replacement for Justin Reid, and they get an upgrade here.