The Steelers seem to have their sights set on a quarterback and they could be a part of trade activity in the first round of the draft.
The Steelers have had their eyes set on quarterbacks throughout this draft process. They will likely select one with their first-round pick unless an unexpected player falls to them. It would take a monumental talent of a prospect to drop to 20 for them to consider anything other than one of these top quarterbacks in the draft.
The event sees the first 32 picks involve many different trades as the night moves along. More of these moves could happen this time around as there are many question marks. There is no clear-cut number one pick, and the quarterbacks have some concerns that come with selecting them.
Many rumors have been swirling both about some of the top picks in this draft and some trade speculation as well. It will be interesting what some teams do as they evaluate and focus on different players. Some might find one prospect better than others and feel the need to go up and get them.
The top ten could be very active on night one as different franchises grade a player so high that they need to go up and select them. It seems that one of these quarterbacks could lead to a team or two moving up and selecting a signal-caller. New Orleans seems primed to do this after an earlier trade with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Pittsburgh could be another team that sniffs around the thought of moving up from their current spot at 20. They are very interested in Malik Willis and the type of raw skills that he comes with. They have him ranked as their top option at the position in this class and that could lead to unusual circumstances for the club.
1.01, Jacksonville Jaguars: Travon Walker, EDGE, Georgia
Travon Walker is a player that many did not think of with the first overall pick just a couple of weeks ago. He has some nice upside but passing on someone like Aidan Hutchinson would be too much of a gamble for a franchise like the Jaguars that need immediate impact players.
This is the rumor that seems like it will happen as we get closer to Thursday. The Steelers showed some interest in this player, but he will likely be long gone.
1.02, Detroit Lions: Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Michigan
Aidan Hutchinson will be the pick at two if Walker is taken at one. The Lions would run to the podium with this pick as they get a cornerstone piece for their struggling defense. They could always go quarterback here and that would be bad news for the Steelers. With Hutchinson available, they can’t pass on him.
1.03, Houston Texans: Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
Evan Neal could be another option for the first overall pick and just after the college football season concluded, he was the first pick in many mock drafts. Other players have had their draft stocks on the rise since then and Neal slipped a little.
The Texans already have a left tackle, but this player would sure up both spots and help their quarterback of the future, whoever that may be.
1.04, New York Jets: Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon
Kayvon Thibodeaux has a unique personality and that has rubbed some teams the wrong way. He had a great meeting with the Jets and could be the selection here. Some have him dropping out of the top ten, but his talent and potential are too good to have dropped out of the top ten.
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.
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.
1.08, Atlanta Falcons: Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU
The Atlanta Falcons are in full rebuild mode and could select Malik Willis if he is available. The Steelers took away that opportunity and now they go with a value pick here. Atlanta gets Derek Stingley Jr. who is coming off an injury that has hampered him and sunk his draft stock a little. He is a special player when he is healthy.
1.09, Seattle Seahawks: Ikem Ekwonu, OT, North Carolina State
Ikem Ekwonu is one of the top tackles in this class and some might even consider him their top prospect at the position. He is a nasty run blocker that would be a great addition to the newly rebuilding Seahawks club. They could always consider quarterback as well, but none are worth taking here, and passing on Ekwonu would just be crazy at pick nine.
1.10, New York Jets: Drake London, WR, USC
The New York Jets will likely take a receiver here and have the first dibs on this deep rookie class. They could always trade this pick for either a player or move back in the draft. They stand pat here and take Drake London, who is a great player that is coming off an injury to his ankle.
1.11, TRADE: New Orleans trades up to pick 11 from Washington
New Orleans Saints: Desmond Ridder, QB, Cincinnati
It seems like a shocker could happen on night one of the draft, especially with one of these quarterbacks. Desmond Ridder is apparently moving up draft boards and the Saints seem primed to move up and get a young signal-caller. They move ahead of Carolina and get a winner in Ridder that can develop behind Jameis Winston.
1.12, TRADE: Chargers trade up to pick 12 from Minnesota
LA Chargers: Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi
Charles Cross dropped in this draft and Minnesota doesn’t need another tackle. The LA Chargers come calling to solidify their opposite tackle spot of Rashawn Slater. Cross will be a tremendous talent at the next level and could create some competition for Slater and himself over who will start at which tackle spot.
1.13, Carolina Panthers: Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh
Carolina traded back and still got their quarterback that they wanted all along. They have done extensive research on all these rookie signal-callers, but Kenny Pickett just seems to be the favorite.
They have been linked to Baker Mayfield but the desperation to win now will lead to them picking the most NFL-ready quarterback in the draft. Some Steelers fans still want Pickett to stay in the city, but that doesn’t seem overly favorable to happen.
1.14, Baltimore Ravens: Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington
Trent McDuffie is a guy that many people still have in their first-round mocks. He can vary in terms of where evaluators expect him to go in the event. The Ravens could use another solid corner to help defend against some of the top weapons in the AFC North.
1.15, Philadelphia Eagle: Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State
The Eagles stick with a receiver here and add another weapon to their offense that will give Jalen Hurts every opportunity to succeed. Garrett Wilson could always go sooner, but he fell to 15 in this scenario. This is a nice value pick as some have this player as the top receiver in this class.
1.16, New Orleans Saints: Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama
Jameson Williams was on track to be the best receiver in this class before he tore his ACL in the National Championship game. He is still worth the risk of taking him this early in the draft. They traded up for the quarterback of the future and get another weapon to the offense. Michael Thomas has a questionable future with the Saints but securing the future with this pick would solve a lot of issues.
1.17, Minnesota Vikings: Andrew Booth Jr., CB, Clemson
Andrew Booth Jr. is a guy that many people have penciled into the first round in 2022 for a while. He is a smart and reliable corner that has gone up against some tough competition while at Clemson. The Vikings moved back in this mock and still got a day one starter on their defense despite bringing back Patrick Peterson.
1.18, Philadelphia Eagles: Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
The Eagles pick again here and decide to go defense after going offense just three picks prior. They get the best linebacker in this class with Devin Lloyd, whom many have kept off the radar. He is a nice rangy backer that shoves his helmet to the point of attack.
1.19, Washington Commanders: Tyler Linderbaum, OC, Iowa
Tyler Linderbaum is really starting to drop off in terms of his draft stock. Some even have him going in the second round, but the quality of his play is still there to be seen on tape. He is a proven center that had some bad measurables in the pre-draft process.
He could get a look in the second round if he is available for the Steelers. His size could scare away some teams, but he is a plug-and-play center for the Commanders.
1.20, New York Giants: George Karlaftis, EDGE, Purdue
The Giants traded back 13 spots with their second first-round pick in 2022. They got a solid cornerback earlier at five and they stick on the defensive side of the ball. They get one of the most underrated edge rushers in this class with George Karlaftis.
Purdue isn’t the most successful program, but this player will be a significant upgrade for their roster. A receiver could also be an option here, especially with Kadarius Toney on the trade block.
1.21, New England Patriots: Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
Chris Olave fell to the Patriots who do have a history of struggling to evaluate the position. They finally make a non-risky move at receiver and get the best route-runner in this receiving class. He was explosive at Ohio State and will help make that offense more dynamic with Mac Jones and company.
1.22, Green Bay Packers: Lewis Cine, S, Georgia
Everyone is expecting the Packers to pick at least one receiver in the first round, but that will have to wait. Their secondary still needs improvement that will help upgrade the defense. They get a physical and very athletic safety to help roam the secondary and settle down their pass defense for years to come.
1.23, Arizona Cardinals: Devonte Wyatt, DT, Georgia
Devonte Wyatt is dropping in this draft after he was gaining some steam in many circles. Apparently, there might be some character issues that could plummet his draft stock entirely before draft day.
This should be around the area he goes to if a club feels comfortable enough to select him in round one. The Steelers have been heavily connected to this defensive tackle.
1.24, Dallas Cowboys: Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia
Jordan Davis would be the surprise drop of the night if he fell the entire way to pick 24. He is mostly just a nose tackle and that could sink his draft stock a lot and could make him wait a while on the first day of the event. Davis is another player that the Steelers have shown a ton of interest in throughout the pre-draft process.
1.25, Buffalo Bills: Bernhard Raimann, OG, Central Michigan
The Buffalo Bills don’t have a ton of holes to fill on their team and they could always go defense here. Keeping the offensive line intact is something that they should keep invested in. Buffalo takes Raimann here as a guard and he can play tackle as well.
He is a project that could pay off big time if they develop him properly. This is another player that has been mocked to the Steelers many times.
1.26, Tennessee Titans: George Pickens, WR, Georgia
George Pickens is another player that has been rumored to have some character concerns by some teams. He could drop into the second round and become an option for the Steelers at pick 52. Tennessee gets another weapon on offense after some uncertainty in their receiver group.
1.27, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jermaine Johnson, EDGE, Florida State
Jermaine Johnson falls into the lap of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who need some young edge rushers on defense. Many have this prospect going all over the first round in mock drafts. Some have him going in the top 15, while others have him going later in the first as he did in this simulation.
1.28, Green Bay Packers: Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State
Jahan Dotson got a lot of attention from the Green Bay Packers during the Penn State pro day. This is an explosive player coming out of Happy Valley and will become Aaron Rodgers’s new favorite target.
He was a one-man highlight reel in college and will translate nicely to the NFL level. This is another player that could be an option for the Steelers in the second round if he slips to them.
1.29, Kansas City Chiefs: Skyy Moore, WR, Western Michigan
The late run on receivers continues here as the Chiefs try to find a replacement for Tyreek Hill. Skyy Moore is a local Pittsburgh guy from New Kensington, PA. They get an explosive receiver that has only been playing the position in college for a handful of seasons but has natural abilities for the position.
1.30, Kansas City Chiefs: Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida
The second of their back-to-back picks here goes on defense. They need a cornerback as they don’t have many answers at the position. Kaiir Elam has football bloodlines, but he needs to get better at the NFL level.
He has some qualities that you can’t teach, and he will need to develop after not getting better in the stat department at Florida.
1.31, Cincinnati Bengals: Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia
The Cincinnati Bengals shocked the NFL world by making it to the Super Bowl. They are a young team that seems poised to make a long run of a successful stretch of years. They go best player available and get an upgrade at linebacker. They have some solid starters already on the team, but they strengthen the weaker unit on the team, which is the defensive side of the ball.
1.32, Detroit Lions: Matt Corral, QB, Mississippi
It seems like the Detroit Lions are poised to select a quarterback here with the very last pick on night one. They could always trade out of this spot if some team is willing to make the move here, especially those that want the fifth-year option for some of these young signal-callers.
Matt Corral here would make sense as they bring in an athletic player that can wait and learn behind Jared Goff.
The Steelers will have a lot of interest in these quarterbacks in this draft. It seems like they will take one on the first night and that could mean trade activity in abundance.