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

By Ryan Pawloski

ATHENS, GA - NOVEMBER 6: Travon Walker #44 celebrates a sack with Nolan Smith #4 during a game between Missouri Tigers and Georgia Bulldogs at Sanford Stadium on November 6, 2021 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Steven Limentani/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
ATHENS, GA - NOVEMBER 6: Travon Walker #44 celebrates a sack with Nolan Smith #4 during a game between Missouri Tigers and Georgia Bulldogs at Sanford Stadium on November 6, 2021 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Steven Limentani/ISI Photos/Getty Images) /
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Malik Willis #7 of the Liberty Flames watches the game. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)
Malik Willis #7 of the Liberty Flames watches the game. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images) /

1.07, TRADE: Pittsburgh trades up to pick 7 from New York Giants.

Pittsburgh Steelers: Malik Willis, QB, Liberty

Steelers fans will either love or hate this move, there is no in-between. Malik Willis is a player that the black and gold have shown a ton of interest in throughout the draft process. They will sniff around the idea of trading up for him as many teams are reportedly interested in trading back on the first night.

That could lead to some lower trade costs to move up and they are able to wait until pick seven. They pull the trigger despite the potential cost of moving up. They might have to give up their first this year and next plus their thirds in 2022 and 2023. If they truly believe that Willis is their future, then that’s not a terrible cost.

This would be a huge gamble for the franchise, and it could set them back a bit if this quarterback doesn’t pan out. He has the speed of Lamar Jackson and the arm strength of Patrick Mahomes. He has the highest ceiling of any signal-caller in this class.

Mitch Trubisky is here and will be the starter on opening day unless the team gets someone like Kenny Pickett that should be ready to start on day one. Allowing these quarterbacks in this draft to sit and learn will be vital to their success in the NFL. The Steelers will select a gunslinger in round one unless all of them are selected beforehand or a great value drops to them at 20.

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