The Pittsburgh Steelers have officially entered a new era with Ben Roethlisberger retiring. Luckily for this franchise, the is in decent shape, but the 2022 NFL Draft will help finalize the roster a bit. We take a look at what the Steelers might do with our very own seven-round NLF Mock Draft.
The glaring weakness for Pittsburgh is the quarterback position and the offensive line. If the Steelers can manage to improve in those areas, then this franchise should be in good shape moving forward. Regardless, the front office will have some opportunities to make some splash picks to stack the roster.
Although Mitchell Trubisky was signed in the offseason, Pittsburgh might want to pull the trigger on a rookie quarterback. We'll see how the draft plays out, but the Steelers will likely make big improvements after bringing in some talented prospects.
With that said, here is our full Pittsburgh Steelers 2022 NFL Mock Draft.
Steelers 2022 NFL Mock Draft
Round 1 – 20th Pick Overall: Sam Howell (QB)
Pittsburgh is in a perfect situation to bring in a rookie like Sam Howell. Mitchell Trubisky is in line to win the starting job, but it's up in the air whether or not the Steelers view him as the long-term answer. Howell needs time to develop, but could thrive in a competition scenario. The front office might have to trade up, but based on how scouting reports across the league, they might get lucky and have their guy fall to them 20th overall.
Round 2 – 52nd Pick Overall: Nick Bonitto (EDGE)
The Steelers don't need any more help on defense, but if Nick Bonitto falls to them in the second round of the draft, the front office should pull the trigger. Bonitto is one of the top prospects, but still needs some time to develop. He'd be a great fit and rotate in with TJ Watt on the defensive line. Adding him would provide depth to an already strong unit.
Round 3 – 84th Pick Overall: Kellen Diesch (T)
It's no secret the offensive line has struggled lately, so we should see the Steelers select some linemen to improve the trenches. Kellen Diesch would be a phenomenal pick for Pittsburgh, as he seems ready to participate at the professional level. Give Diesch some time and he could turn into a consistent starter for years.
Round 4 – 138th Pick Overall: Zack Tom (T/G)
Another offensive lineman the Steelers should consider is Zack Tom. He's a stud athlete who is capable of playing nearly anywhere on the offensive line. Tom would likely serve as a role player, filling in where needed to start his career. However, he has the potential to be a weekly starter in the NFL.
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Round 6 – 208th Pick Overall: Marquan McCall (DL)
Although the Steelers are fine on defense, it wouldn't hurt to find a sleeper defensive lineman late in the NFL Draft. Marquan McCall could be a solid rotational player one day, but he needs time to develop. McCall would be a great practice squad piece for Pittsburgh until he's ready for a bigger role.
Round 7 – 225th Pick Overall: Jason Poe (G)
After taking two offensive linemen earlier in the draft, it would be smart for Pittsburgh to make an insurance pick in the seventh round. The Steelers could give themselves multiple new faces within the trenches as they hope to accumulate an improved offensive line. Jason Poe would be a great selection for this franchise, especially this late in the NFL Draft.
Round 7 – 241st Pick Overall: CJ Verdell (RB)
Najee Harris won't be losing any playing time at all, as he's one of the best weapons on the offense. Even so, the Steelers could find a solid rotational player for the backfield. CJ Verdell has been a consistent option for the Oregon Ducks and could be a great backup option behind Harris.