Pittsburgh Steelers 2022 NFL mock draft roundup
The 2022 NFL Draft is almost here! But who do the experts think the Pittsburgh Steelers will take in this year’s draft?
I scoured the Internet for various mock drafts from a variety of websites to compile analyst picks for the Steelers. Most are the same and others are wild.
Here’s a breakdown of some of those picks.
Note: All picks are first-round selections with pick 20 unless where noted. Analyst, outlet, pick, comment (where applicable) and link to full mock draft provided with each pick below.
Jordan Reid and Matt Miller (ESPN)
Desmond Ridder, QB, Cincinnati
I could see the Steelers being a great fit for Ridder, who was accomplished in college (44 career wins and 87 touchdown passes), took on big responsibilities in Cincinnati’s offense and is mature enough to play early. Don’t be surprised if he’s selected in the middle of Round 1.
Todd McShay (ESPN)
Malik Willis, QB, Liberty
With Mitch Trubisky on a team-friendly two-year deal, there’s no rush for Willis to play right away, and coach Mike Tomlin could develop Willis before turning over the keys.
Mike Tannenbaum (ESPN)
Malik Willis, QB, Liberty
With Mitch Trubisky serving as a bridge starter, the Steelers can take advantage of Willis still being available, draft the big-armed Liberty quarterback and let him develop before taking over in the QB-heavy AFC North.
Mel Kiper Jr. (ESPN)
Malik Willis, QB, Liberty
… He is the most talented quarterback in this class… but he wouldn’t be under immediate pressure to start in Week 1. That would be crucial for him.
Ryan Wilson (CBS Sports)
Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
Burks is a contested and high-point catch machine. Don’t be fooled by his 4.55 40 at the combine — he regularly outran defensive backs to the end zone in the SEC and that won’t change in the NFL.
Chris Trapasso (CBS Sports)
Desmond Ridder, QB, Cincinnati
The Steelers don’t want to leave the first round without a quarterback and Ridder’s experience and athleticism make him enticing for this franchise.
Josh Edwards (CBS Sports)
Malik Willis, QB, Liberty
Trade! Steelers move up to pick 12 in a trade with the Vikings for their 2022 first round pick and a 2023 second round pick
If the draft reaches this point and Willis is still available, Pittsburgh should be aggressive in moving up and getting a quarterback of the future. They suddenly find themselves in a division with Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow and Deshaun Watson and are coming to the gun fight with a knife.
Pete Prisco (CBS Sports)
Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss
They signed Mitch Trubisky, but he isn’t the long-term answer. Corral would perfectly fit what they want to do with their passing game.
Kyle Stackpole (CBS Sports)
Trevor Penning, OL, Northern Iowa
Mitch Trubisky needs time to throw and Najee Harris needs bigger holes to run through. Penning, with his nasty demeanor and physical, aggressive playing style, will help ensure that happens in Pittsburgh’s first year without Ben Roethlisberger.
Wait right there! Another trade! The Steelers move back into the first round at pick 27.
Desmond Ridder, QB, Cincinnati
Kevin Colbert gets aggressive in his final draft as the Steelers GM. With the Bucs looking to trade out, he gives up the 52nd pick this year and a second-rounder next year to move back into the first round and select the next potential franchise QB for Pittsburgh.
Ben Linsey (PFF)
Malik Willis, QB, Liberty
Trade! PIT receives 8, ATL receives 20, 138 and 2023 R1 pick from PIT
The Steelers weren’t overly aggressive in the quarterback market this offseason. They signed Mitchell Trubisky to a two-year, $14 million deal that screams bridge quarterback while passing on bigger moves for established veteran starters.
Pittsburgh is also doing all their due diligence on this quarterback class, officially meeting with each of the top six prospects over the next few weeks. Nonetheless, Willis is the quarterback who has consistently been connected to the Steelers from the Senior Bowl to Liberty’s pro day.
Michael Renner (PFF)
Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh
Mitchell Trubisky is not the future. Kenny Pickett can be. The Panther legend stays home and gets a chance to compete for a starting job Day 1. Of all the quarterbacks in this draft class, Pickett had the highest overall grade last season.
Brad Spielberger (PFF)
Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa
The elite center prospect out of Iowa that was consistently landing in the top-10 takes a bit of a slide here because of positional value at center. Over the last three seasons, Linderbaum has been PFF’s No. 1, No. 1, and No. 5 highest-graded center in the country. It’s entirely possible a team ignores positional value and takes a very good football player in Linderbaum earlier, but top center prospects tend to get snatched up around pick No. 20 over the past few years.
Steve Palazzolo (PFF)
Trevor Penning, OL, Northern Iowa
The Steelers will also wait on quarterback in this iteration while addressing the offensive line with Penning, who is an absolute mauler in the run game. Penning dominated the FCS level, and as PFF’s Mike Renner states, “Penning’s tape at Northern Iowa looks like someone’s dad subbed into a pop warner game.” He’ll fit in nicely as Pittsburgh continues its offensive line overhaul.
Joe Marino (TDN)
Daxton Hill, S, Michigan
Eyeballing this Steelers’ secondary has me concerned and a versatile talent like Daxton Hill could help elevate the group. Hill is fully capable of serving as a one-high safety, in split zones, or in man coverage. He has upside in the slot and as a true outside corner. He is an exceptional athlete with good instincts and plays a physical brand of football.
Brentley Weissman (TDN)
Malik Willis, QB, Liberty
It’s no secret that head coach Mike Tomlin is enamored with Malik Willis and there are rumors that the Steelers are targeting him with their first-round pick. While I do acknowledge that Willis had a tantalizing upside, he does come with a fair amount of risk. That being said, having the opportunity to sit behind Trubisky for a year and develop could make a lot of sense for both parties.
Damian Parson (TDN)
Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh
Mitchell Trubisky is a serviceable quarterback, but I believe talking oneself into him being the long-term option is dangerous. Bring in young competition and let the better quarterback win.
Walter Football
Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa
Rumors are that the Steelers like Malik Willis… Unfortunately for the Steelers, Willis came off the board way too early. Kenny Pickett is still available in this mock update, but I don’t get the sense that Pittsburgh is interested in him.
If the 2022 NFL Draft plays out this way, I believe the Steelers would opt to fix their offensive line with this pick and then address quarterback in the second round.
