It has taken a while but here is the first Steelers Mock Draft courtesy of Steeler Report. We are just days away from Free Agency and many more dominoes are set to fall once this happens. We have already seen big moves in the Quarterback market from the Green Bay Packers, the Denver Broncos, and the Washington Commanders. Pittsburgh, however, has yet to make their move to find a replacement for Ben Roethlisberger.
That being said, after the development in the Deshaun Watson saga, Pittsburgh may be thinking about making a move. Morality issues would-be the only thing that will stop the Steelers from making a move for the Quarterback as his play is worthy of multiple first-round picks. Look at what the Buccaneers and Rams were able to do after trading for a Quarterback. Could the Steelers be the next team to make a move for a QB and win a Super Bowl?
Let’s stick a pin in the Deshaun Watson saga just now and focus on the upcoming draft. Quarterback is not the only need that the Steelers have before the 2022 season kicks off. In this mock draft, let’s assume that the Quarterback is still a position of need and that the Steelers make at least one move in free agency to help the offensive line. Without further ado, let’s begin.
Steelers Three Round Mock Draft
Round One | Pick 20 | Kenny Pickett | QB | Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh once passed on the chance to take a Quarterback from their local college in the 1983 draft. They ultimately regretted that mistake in the same season. In the 1984 AFC Championship Game, the Steelers lost out to the excellence of Dan Marino as he threw for over 400 yards and four touchdowns. There is no way the Steelers make that mistake again.
Kenny Pickett had a great senior year as he led the Panthers to one of their best seasons ever. Pickett is your prototypical Quarterback and is set to be a solid starter at the next level. An excellent decision-maker throughout his time at Pitt he has consistently been around the 60% completion rate. He has plenty of experience against good defenses that will serve him well in the NFL. Extremely aware in the pocket and seems to enjoy pressure situations. Playing Quarterback for the Steelers can certainly be full of pressure situations.
Kenny Pickett and the Pittsburgh Steelers are a match made in heaven. If he is available at number 20, don’t make another Dan Marino type mistake again Pittsburgh.
Round Two | Pick 52 | Kaiir Elam | CB | Florida
As much as I hope it doesn’t happen, Joe Haden looks likely to be leaving Pittsburgh this offseason. Unfortunately, he might not be the only one. Ahkello Witherspoon might also be on the way out. Even if the steelers manage to keep one of them, the secondary is a major area of need. We all saw what the Kansas City offense was able to do in eleven minutes of play. So, with their second-round pick, the Steelers select Kaiir Elam.
Elam is a physical specimen and has all the measurements that NFL teams covet. Elam is long and lean but doesn’t sacrifice any quickness. His ability to change direction allows him to stay on the hip of receivers throughout their routes. His fluidity, mixed with his great hand technique at the line of scrimmage allows him to jam receivers at the line and not worry about having to make up if beaten. He is quick enough and his fluid backpedal keeps him in every play. All his physical traits mixed with a high NFL IQ would make him a day one starter in Pittsburgh.
Elam’s dad played for Notre Dame before having a seven-year career in the NFL. It is in his blood to be an NFL starter, and with his physical traits, he might just be a very good one.
Round Three | Pick 84 | Daniel Faalele | OT | Minnesota
So, a new Quarterback in the room, a solid player added to the defense, now it’s time for the offensive line. The line struggled in 2022, especially with an immobile quarterback. Roethlisberger was far from his best as he edged towards retirement and poor offensive line play certainly didn’t help. Roethlisberger was sacked far too many times and Najee Harris was getting little to no help in the run game. The run game, and offensive line, have been a staple of Steelers play and it has been lacking in recent years. Long gone are the days of Jerome Bettis and Franco Harris.
In the 2021 draft, the Steelers selected a star running back and took the first step to develop the run game. Now in 2022, it is time to take the next step. In this mock draft, they do that by selecting the mountain of a man that is Daniel Faalele. The 380-pound behemoth has a rare combination of height, length, and power that is rare to see. In the run game, he is great. Using his size and athletic ability to clear large rush lanes. A welcoming sight in Pittsburgh.
If Pittsburgh is to make it back to another Super Bowl, this mock draft highlights some of the areas that require immediate attention.
