The 2022 NFL Draft is just around the corner, and that means draft analysts are going all-in on their mock draft predictions. Some mock drafts, and their writers, get more attention than others, and the two at ESPN would certainly fall into that category. Whether it’s Todd McShay or Mel Kiper Jr., these two analysts are lightning rods when it comes to their rankings / predictions.
After McShay released his latest mock draft last week, it was Kipper’s turn to produce some content, and he did so in a full 2-round mock draft. Of course, these are just Kipper’s thoughts and projections for how the draft might develop, but for the Pittsburgh Steelers tab, you stand back and scratch your head and wonder if this would be the best course of action for the team if the board were to drop this. way.
With that said, let’s take a look at the first round of Kiper’s latest mock draft …
Round 1
1. Jacksonville Jaguars – Aidan Hutchinson, DE, Michigan
2. Detroit Lions – Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
3. Houston Texas – Travon Walker, DE, Georgia
4. New York Jets – Kayvon Thibodeaux, DE, Oregon
5. New York Giants – Ikem Ekwonu, OT, NC stat
6. Carolina Panthers – Malik Willis, QB, Liberty
7. New York Giants (via CHI) – Jermaine Johnson II, DE, Florida State
8. Atlanta Falcons – Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State
9. Seattle Seahawks (via DEN) – Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
10. New York Jets (via SEA) – Drake London, WR, USC
11. Washington’s commanders – Kyle Hamilton, S, Vor Frue
12. Minnesota Vikings – Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU
13. Houston Texans (via CLE) – Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State
14. Baltimore Ravens – Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington
15. Philadelphia Eagles (via MIA) – Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
16. New Orleans Saints (via PHI / IND) – Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
17. Los Angeles chargers – Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia
18. Philadelphia Eagles (via NO) – Nakobe Dean, ILB, Georgia
19. New Orleans Saints (via PHI) – Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama
20. Pittsburgh Steelers – Kenny Pickett, QB, Pitt
I would feel much more comfortable taking Pickett here than I would in the top 10. The best case scenario is that he is Derek Carr and his floor is like an Andy Dalton type, which is by no means a bad quarterback . Pittsburgh can win with that. Still, these two were taken in round 2 and had no round 1 expectations around them. If Pickett falls into the Steelers lap here, he would be hard to let go. And he has a little more upside than Mitch Trubisky.
21. New England Patriots – Devin Lloyd, ILB, Utah
22. Green Bay Packers (via LV) – Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State
23. Arizona Cardinals – Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
24. Dallas Cowboys – Arnold Ebiketie, DE, Penn State
25. Buffalo Bills – Daxton Hill, DB, Michigan
26. Tennessee Titans – Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Devonte Wyatt, DT, Georgia
28. Green Bay Packers – Zion Johnson, G / C, Boston College
29. Kansas City Chiefs (via MIA / SF) – Andrew Booth Jr., CB, Clemson
30. Kansas City Chiefs – George Karlaftis, DE, Purdue
31. New York Jets (via CIN False Trading) – Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa
32. Detroit Lions (via LAR) – Lewis Cine, S, Georgia
There’s plenty of talent to choose from when the Steelers pick No. 20, but Kiper feels the Steelers’ need for quarterback is too great to let Pickett fall any further. With Willis off the board as No. 6 to Carolina, Pickett is the second-best quarterback on the board. But that does not mean that this is the best direction for the team in round 1. There is still talent available on needs on both sides of football. It’s hard to see people like Devin Lloyd, Devonte Wyatt and Tyler Linderbaum all on the board and walking past the blacks and gold.
Round 2
33. Jacksonville Jaguars – Kenyon Green, G, Texas A&M
34. Detroit Lions – David Ojabo, OLB, Michigan
35. Cincinnati Bengals (via False Trade with NYJ) – Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida
36. New York Giants – Jalen Pitre, S, Baylor
37. Houston Texans – Jaquan Brisker, S, Penn State
38. New York Jets (via CAR) – Breece Hall, RB, Iowa stat
39. Chicago Bears – Kyler Gordon, CB, Washington
40. Seattle Seahawks (via DEN) – Desmond Knight, QB, Cincinnati
41. Seattle Seahawks – Quay Walker, LB, Georgia
42. Indianapolis Colts (via WSH) – Bernhard Raimann, OT, Central Michigan
43. Atlanta Falcons – Boye Mafe, OLB, Minnesota
44. Cleveland Browns – Travis Jones, DT, Connecticut
45. Baltimore Ravens – Channing Tindall, LB, Georgia
46. ​​Minnesota Vikings – Perrion Winfrey, DT, Oklahoma
47. Washington Commanders (via IND) – George Pickens, WR, Georgia
48. Chicago Bears (via LAC) – Tyler Smith, OT / G, Tulsa
49. New Orleans Saints – Matt Corral, QB, Be Miss
50. Kansas City Chiefs (via MIA) – Skyy Moore, WR, Western Michigan
51. Philadelphia Eagles – Drake Jackson, DE / OLB, USC
52. Pittsburgh Steelers –John Metchie III, WR, Alabama
Metchie tore his ACL in December, but he had a great season with 96 catches on 1,142 yards and eight goals. He can play in slot and make a difference in midfield for the Steelers, who let JuJu Smith-Schuster go into free play. Metchie should be able to recover to play in Week 1 – and potentially help Kenny Pickett.
53. Green Bay Packers (via LV) – Alec Pierce, WR, Cincinnati
54. New England Patriots – Logan Hall, DL, Houston
55. Arizona Cardinals – Roger McCreary, CB, Auburn
56. Dallas Cowboys – Abraham Lucas, OT, Washington State
57. Buffalo Bills – Kenneth Walker III, RB, Michigan State
58. Atlanta Falcons (via TEN) – Troy Andersen, LB, Montana State
59. Green Bay Packers – Myjai Sanders, DE / OLB, Cincinnati
60. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Cole Strange, G, Chattanooga
61. San Francisco 49ers – Cam Taylor-Britt, DB, Nebraska
62. Kansas City Chiefs – Jalen Tolbert, WR, South Alabama
63. Cincinnati Bengals – Greg Dulcich, TE, UCLA
64. Denver Broncos (via LAR) – Trey McBride, TE, Colorado State
The Steelers sit tight at pick No. 52 and focus again on the offensive side of the ball with the pick of Metchie III. Coming after a major knee surgery will have many fans / experts skeptical about the choice, but many have come back from these injuries without any hindrance to their performance. The Steelers, who took Pickett in round 1, opened the door for teams like the Seahawks and Saints to take Desmond Knight and Matt Corral in round 2. Again, lots of talent on the board, but you would be hard pressed to argue the Steelers’ did ‘I do not need help for both quarterback and wide receiver. Getting these positions in rounds 1 and 2 is not terrible.
What do you think of Kiper’s latest mock draft? Would you be happy with the choices? Are there players who were passed on that you would have taken if you developed this mockery? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below, and be sure to stay updated on the BTSC for the latest news and notes about the Steelers as they prepare for the next wave of free agency and NFL Draft.