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Going into the 2022 NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers find themselves in unfamiliar territory. For the first time in many seasons, they do not have a glaring need for any one particular position, thanks to an incredible free agency period where they have seemed to solidify their biggest needs prior to the draft. It will be interesting to see what Steelers General Manager, Kevin Colbert does in these unusual circumstances, and also with it being his last draft as General Manager for the Steelers. Also, for the first time in 18 years, the Steelers will be looking for the successor to former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. From what we have seen in recent weeks at college Pro Days, Head Coach Mike Tomlin and the Steelers front office are extremely interested in adding another quarterback via the draft.
After taking into consideration all of the moves the Steelers have made already via free agency, it was time to submit my first mock draft this off-season.
Round 1: Pick 20
One quarterback who seems to have separated himself from the rest of the class over the last couple of months is Liberty’s quarterback, Malik Willis. Willis, a 6’1″, 225lb quarterback, finished the season with over 800 yards rushing and over 2,800 yards passing in 2021. Although he may not be the most “NFL-ready,” Willis by far has the highest ceiling when it comes to quarterbacks in this year’s draft. He did struggle with consistency and accuracy as he threw 12 interceptions last season (6 more than the previous year), but his athleticism and arm strength is what is the most intriguing to NFL teams. He would be a tremendous fit in the Steelers offense who is full of young, future stars. He would offer a completely different look than what the Steelers fans have been used to in past years.
Steelers NFL prospect, Liberty QB Malik Willis. | Jonathan Bachman / Getty Images
Round 2: Pick 52
The Steelers, time and time again, strike gold when it comes to drafting wide receivers from the MAC. In recent years, Antonio Brown from Central Michigan, slipped all the way to the sixth-round, and most recently Diontae Johnson out of Toledo was the Steelers third round pick in 2019. This year will be no different. The Steelers will pick up Western Michigan standout Skyy Moore. Moore, a 5’10”, 195lb slot receiver, would be a perfect replacement and upgrade for the Steelers after losing Ray-Ray McCloud. Moore finished 2021 with over 1,200 yards, 10 touchdowns, and is an excellent route runner who can create space — which is one area the Steelers receivers have struggled with in the past. Steelers fans would expect to see Moore start in Week 1 and be a solid number three receiver.
Round 3: Pick 84
One hole the Steelers have yet to fill this off-season on defense is strong safety. Terrell Edmunds has yet to sign with any team, so his future is still uncertain. Regardless of where Edmunds ends up playing in 2022, the Steelers will most definitely be looking to Day 2 of the draft to pick up a corner or safety. Nick Cross would be an excellent addition to an already solid defense. His 6’1″, 215lb stature is what the Steelers need at strong safety and will be an exceptional option when the Steelers need someone to cover opposing tight ends — which is something they have struggled at in the past. Cross last season recorded 44 tackles, 3 interceptions, and 2 forced fumbles. His playing style is similar to past Steelers safeties Ryan Clark and Mike Mitchell due to his hard hitting ability. Cross may be still available come Day 3 of the draft but depending on who else is available the Steelers may end up taking him in the third round.
Round 4: Pick 138
The Steelers have already addressed the cornerback position so far this off-season via free agency, but fans can expect to see the Steelers look to the draft to add depth to a position they haven’t necessarily drafted well at in past years. Cordale Flott would be a good pickup for an early Day 3 player. Size isn’t exactly Flott’s forte, but speed most definitely is and he would be a great addition when the Steelers face teams with a deep ball threat. Along with adding depth to the secondary, Flott would be a solid special teams addition, something that the Steelers take great pride in.
Round 6: Pick 208
Another point of emphasis this off-season has been the offensive line. Ryan Van Denmark has seen his stock rise in recent weeks due to a tremendous showing at the Shrine Bowl where he was dominant on the offensive line. He did not participate in the NFL Combine, but he did produce some impressive numbers at UConn’s Pro Day. Both his vertical jump and broad jump would have put him second best in all tackles who participated in the combine. If one word was used to describe Van Denmark, it is versatile. He has shown NFL scouts his ability to play both tackle positions at a high level. The Steelers have in mind what their Week 1 offensive line will look like already, but the lack of depth is something that still needs addressed and the fact Van Denmark can play not only one, but two positions upfront, is something the Steelers can’t pass up on if the opportunity presents itself.
Round 7: Pick 225 (via Kansas City)
Najee Harris is the future of the Steelers offense. The Steelers made that clear when they took the Alabama running back in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft and managed to give him over 300 rushing attempts in his rookie season. But there is no question Harris needs help and another running back who he can hand some of the workload to throughout the season. Ealy fits that role perfectly. The Ole Miss running back rushed for over 700 yards and scored 5 touchdowns, along with 2 receiving touchdowns. His speed is average, but he does have the ability to break tackles and his capability to be a solid pass catcher is something the Steelers will value coming from a backup running back. Nothing will “wow” you about Ealy, but his value comes from the many different roles he can provide to help his team.
Round 7: Pick 241
Younger brother of Steelers captain Cam Heyward, Connor played both tight end and fullback in college. The Steelers aren’t necessarily in need of either a tight end or a fullback this off-season, but the ability to play multiple positions would offer the Steelers a low risk, high reward situation in the 7th round. The Steelers have the tendency to bring in multiple players that stem from the same family tree and the Heyward’s would be another name that they should look to add to that list.
Who do you think the Steelers will select come Draft Day, #SteelerNation? Leave us a comment in the comment section below!
Support SteelerNation by clicking here to read the story..
After taking into consideration all of the moves the Steelers have made already via free agency, it was time to submit my first mock draft this off-season.
Round 1: Pick 20
The Pittsburgh Steelers select: Malik Willis QB Liberty
One quarterback who seems to have separated himself from the rest of the class over the last couple of months is Liberty’s quarterback, Malik Willis. Willis, a 6’1″, 225lb quarterback, finished the season with over 800 yards rushing and over 2,800 yards passing in 2021. Although he may not be the most “NFL-ready,” Willis by far has the highest ceiling when it comes to quarterbacks in this year’s draft. He did struggle with consistency and accuracy as he threw 12 interceptions last season (6 more than the previous year), but his athleticism and arm strength is what is the most intriguing to NFL teams. He would be a tremendous fit in the Steelers offense who is full of young, future stars. He would offer a completely different look than what the Steelers fans have been used to in past years.
Steelers NFL prospect, Liberty QB Malik Willis. | Jonathan Bachman / Getty Images
Round 2: Pick 52
The Pittsburgh Steelers select: Skyy Moore WR Western Michigan
The Steelers, time and time again, strike gold when it comes to drafting wide receivers from the MAC. In recent years, Antonio Brown from Central Michigan, slipped all the way to the sixth-round, and most recently Diontae Johnson out of Toledo was the Steelers third round pick in 2019. This year will be no different. The Steelers will pick up Western Michigan standout Skyy Moore. Moore, a 5’10”, 195lb slot receiver, would be a perfect replacement and upgrade for the Steelers after losing Ray-Ray McCloud. Moore finished 2021 with over 1,200 yards, 10 touchdowns, and is an excellent route runner who can create space — which is one area the Steelers receivers have struggled with in the past. Steelers fans would expect to see Moore start in Week 1 and be a solid number three receiver.
Round 3: Pick 84
The Pittsburgh Steelers select: Nick Cross S Maryland
One hole the Steelers have yet to fill this off-season on defense is strong safety. Terrell Edmunds has yet to sign with any team, so his future is still uncertain. Regardless of where Edmunds ends up playing in 2022, the Steelers will most definitely be looking to Day 2 of the draft to pick up a corner or safety. Nick Cross would be an excellent addition to an already solid defense. His 6’1″, 215lb stature is what the Steelers need at strong safety and will be an exceptional option when the Steelers need someone to cover opposing tight ends — which is something they have struggled at in the past. Cross last season recorded 44 tackles, 3 interceptions, and 2 forced fumbles. His playing style is similar to past Steelers safeties Ryan Clark and Mike Mitchell due to his hard hitting ability. Cross may be still available come Day 3 of the draft but depending on who else is available the Steelers may end up taking him in the third round.
Round 4: Pick 138
The Pittsburgh Steelers select: Cordale Flott CB LSU
The Steelers have already addressed the cornerback position so far this off-season via free agency, but fans can expect to see the Steelers look to the draft to add depth to a position they haven’t necessarily drafted well at in past years. Cordale Flott would be a good pickup for an early Day 3 player. Size isn’t exactly Flott’s forte, but speed most definitely is and he would be a great addition when the Steelers face teams with a deep ball threat. Along with adding depth to the secondary, Flott would be a solid special teams addition, something that the Steelers take great pride in.
Round 6: Pick 208
The Pittsburgh Steelers select: Ryan Van Denmark T Uconn
Another point of emphasis this off-season has been the offensive line. Ryan Van Denmark has seen his stock rise in recent weeks due to a tremendous showing at the Shrine Bowl where he was dominant on the offensive line. He did not participate in the NFL Combine, but he did produce some impressive numbers at UConn’s Pro Day. Both his vertical jump and broad jump would have put him second best in all tackles who participated in the combine. If one word was used to describe Van Denmark, it is versatile. He has shown NFL scouts his ability to play both tackle positions at a high level. The Steelers have in mind what their Week 1 offensive line will look like already, but the lack of depth is something that still needs addressed and the fact Van Denmark can play not only one, but two positions upfront, is something the Steelers can’t pass up on if the opportunity presents itself.
Round 7: Pick 225 (via Kansas City)
The Pittsburgh Steelers select: Jerrion Ealy RB Ole Miss
Najee Harris is the future of the Steelers offense. The Steelers made that clear when they took the Alabama running back in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft and managed to give him over 300 rushing attempts in his rookie season. But there is no question Harris needs help and another running back who he can hand some of the workload to throughout the season. Ealy fits that role perfectly. The Ole Miss running back rushed for over 700 yards and scored 5 touchdowns, along with 2 receiving touchdowns. His speed is average, but he does have the ability to break tackles and his capability to be a solid pass catcher is something the Steelers will value coming from a backup running back. Nothing will “wow” you about Ealy, but his value comes from the many different roles he can provide to help his team.
Round 7: Pick 241
The Pittsburgh Steelers select: Connor Heyward TE/FB Michigan St.
Younger brother of Steelers captain Cam Heyward, Connor played both tight end and fullback in college. The Steelers aren’t necessarily in need of either a tight end or a fullback this off-season, but the ability to play multiple positions would offer the Steelers a low risk, high reward situation in the 7th round. The Steelers have the tendency to bring in multiple players that stem from the same family tree and the Heyward’s would be another name that they should look to add to that list.
Who do you think the Steelers will select come Draft Day, #SteelerNation? Leave us a comment in the comment section below!
Support SteelerNation by clicking here to read the story..
