Steelers Mock Draft 2022: Drafting All 7 Rounds

Steelers Mock Draft 2022

Post-Ben Roethlisberger, the Pittsburgh Steelers have quickly found themselves in the cellar of the AFC North. While Mike Tomlin remains in place, it’s full steam ahead—for now—with Mitchell Trubisky and a roster in need of pop on both sides of the ball. With surrounding divisional talent in Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow, and Deshaun Watson now captaining the Cleveland Browns, a group of teams once headlined by the Steelers has quickly seen a changing of the guard as we approach this Steelers Mock Draft. 

Using our Mock Draft Machine, I looked at which prospects Pittsburgh could, and should, target when the draft rolls around. Here is my seven-round mock, including scheme fit, on each prospect:

7-Round Steelers Mock Draft

Round 1 (No. 20 overall): Devonte Wyatt, IDL, Georgia

At 307 pounds, Devonte Wyatt has plenty of sand in his pants to hold up as an odd-front defensive end. With Cam Heyward and Stephon Tuitt already in place, adding the versatile Wyatt—arguably the top interior defender in the class—to pave the way for T.J. Watt to get after the quarterback should entice general manager Kevin Colbert. 

As we’ve seen in years prior, if you’re able to rush the quarterback, a lack of talent at the second and third level of the defense can be inherently masked—while adding a corner remained a priority here, I’m intrigued by the depth of secondary talent moving into days two and three of the draft. Talents in Wyatt, Watt, Heyward, Devin Bush, and the newly-signed Myles Jack should allow the Steelers to enjoy success within their front seven. 

Round 2 (No. 52 overall): Jalen Pitre, SAF, Baylor

Working alongside Minkah Fitzpatrick, I’m fully confident Jalen Pitre could progress into one of football’s premier safeties. The apex leader within the Baylor defense this fall, Pitre’s film was a joy to watch. 

Not the biggest safety, Pitre’s willingness to stick his face in the mud and wrangle down ball-carriers and pass-catchers with ease showcased instincts matched by few in the safety class. While things could be better on the outside with Levi Wallace and Justin Layne as Pittsburgh’s two starting corners, the addition of Ahkello Witherspoon and a year of play under Tre Norwood’s belt in the slot highlights things could be much, MUCH worse in retrospect. Give me a high football IQ guy here in Pitre as a ball-hawking safety that would be allowed to roam the intermediate areas of the defense. 

Round 3 (No. 84 overall): Alontae Taylor, CB, Tennessee

A secondary defender with inside/out versatility, Alontae Taylor’s prowess as a downhill corner in zone, only to come back and dominate in press-man showcased a corner throughout his time in college as a prospect who should enjoy success from Day 1. In Pittsburgh, whether he’s asked to cover an opposing team’s WR1 or work on special teams, he’s a high-impact value add here on Day 2 whose potential remains highly intriguing for a team in need of talent on the perimeter. 

Round 4 (No. 138 overall): Alec Pierce, WR, Cincinnati 

With JuJu Smith-Schuster, James Washington, and Ray-Ray McCloud all gone, Trubisky is going to need more weapons to throw the ball to. However, with Chase Claypool, Diontae Johnson, and Pat Freiermuth in place, adding the 6-foot-3 presence in Alec Pierce could present him with a ton of favorable matchups his elite athletic profile should be able to take advantage of. 

A 50-50 ball extraordinaire whose athleticism allows him to consistently stack corners and break off routes at a moment’s notice, in a deep wideout class, adding the uber-productive Pierce here on day three could be considered a steal.

Round 6 (No. 208 overall): Zach Tom, OT, Wake Forest

When I saw Zach Tom’s name available on the board here, I couldn’t have clicked “draft” any quicker. A fast riser in what is a relatively top-heavy tackle class, Tom’s experience at both tackle and center presents a nice amount of versatility for a team in need of such along the front five. 

His film won’t blow anyone away, but Pittsburgh is in need of depth, and the former Wake Forest standout’s athleticism and strength could allow him to work into substantial snaps. He could very easily come off the board a round or two higher, but here in the sixth round, you won’t find more bang for your buck. 

Round 7 (No. 225 overall): Cade Mays, IOL, Tennessee

A mauling interior lineman, Cade Mays is NASTY. He’s got work to do in refining his technique—especially in space—but Mays could offer help at guard both in the now and in the future. He fits the script as a road-grading, country strong, interior man-mover who looks to staple defenders to the dirt. 

Secondary option: Daniel Bellinger, TE, San Diego State

With Freiermuth as TE1 and a major piece within Pittsburgh’s aerial attack, adding a physical in-line mover and one of the most dominant run-blocking tight ends in the class here in the seventh round could be a sneaky good addition. Who knows if Najee Harris’ workload will continue to increase or if Tomlin eyes Zach Gentry as his de facto TE2 moving forward, but the long-tenured head coach is going to do everything to keep the pressure off of Trubisky’s shoulders on offense. Utilizing Daniel Bellinger in 12-personnel to move bodies out of the way for their stud ball-carrier could be the move.

Round 7 (No. 241 overall): Charleston Rambo, WR, Miami (FL)

After transferring in from Oklahoma, Charleston Rambo revitalized his career and made himself some money this fall. Whether he’s drafted or signed as a priority UDFA, he’s got plenty of juice in the tank and loads of Power Five experience and production to persuade teams to take a flier on his skill set. A “my ball” type of wideout with a swagger unlike any pass-catcher in the class, he’s BPA here as we close out Pittsburgh’s draft haul. 

Your turn!

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