We're less than two weeks away from the 2022 NFL Draft, and we still don't have an idea of who the Pittsburgh Steelers will select come April 28th. With the draft quickly approaching, rumors are starting to fly around, and there is one in particular that I wanted to address. According to a report from UStadium, Pittsburgh is one of two teams that have "laid the groundwork" for a possible trade up into the top 12. This is intriguing given the fact that Pittsburgh doesn't have a ton of assets and the potential trade package could be too much. If they were to trade up, it has to be for a player they admire and who can contribute immediately to this Pittsburgh squad.
Here are three players I believe are worth trading up for:
1) Liberty QB, Malik Willis
One of the worst-kept secrets in the NFL is Pittsburgh's fondness for Willis. They kept a tight eye on him during his workouts, and they conducted numerous interviews with him and his family. You don't just do this much work on a guy for the sake of it. Pittsburgh is in desperate need of a franchise quarterback, and Malik Willis could be the answer. If Pittsburgh does decide to trade up, this appears to be the most likely scenario. Willis has been seen in multiple mock drafts falling to Pittsburgh, but if his stock continues to rise, this franchise may very well just have to trade up for arguably the best quarterback in this year's draft.
2) Pitt QB, Kenny Pickett
Plenty in Steeler Nation are familiar with Pickett. Last year, the Pitt quarterback had a breakout season, propelling him to the top of draft boards. Given Pitt and the Steelers share facilities, the team was able to get a better understanding of how Pickett operates on a daily basis and what kind of person he is on and off the field. With all of this in mind, Pittsburgh's decision to trade up and choose Pickett would indicate that they believe he can be their next franchise quarterback.
Photo: USA Today Sports
3) Notre Dame S, Kyle Hamilton
This one is a little more interesting. Given that he's a safety, you might be shocked to see him on this list. Hamilton, however, is a player worth trading up for. According to reports, scouts from around the league feel Hamilton has a good possibility of falling out of the top 10. With Pittsburgh lacking a starter at safety, trading up for Hamilton could be a wise decision. He was formerly regarded one of the top three players in the draft, I still believe he is, and for good reason. He has the ability to play all over the field, which the Steelers appreciate in their defensive backs, and his IQ is off the charts. Plus, a safety pairing of Minkah Fitzpatrick and Kyle Hamilton would be absolutely filthy.
AP Photo / Michael Conroy
Having said that, I believe that if the Steelers were to trade up, it would be for either Willis or Pickett. Usually you don't just trade significant assets for other positions, but when a player like Hamilton becomes available, you can't pass up the opportunity. Overall, I'd like for them to stay put and take the best player available at 20; however, if they were to trade up, these are the three players I'd look for.
Do you think the Steelers trade up in round 1? If so, who would you like to see the Steelers trade for? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.
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