Well tomorrow is the big day for Steeler Nation, and the Pittsburgh Steelers. The organization will welcome in their next great player (hopefully), and then they'll continue to add to their roster through Saturday night. It's been a wild ride since that playoff loss in Kansas City. From the free agent quarterback rumors, right into the quarterback draft rumors. So, let's go on record with our final mock draft, and see how it unfolds opposed to the real thing.
Steelers 2022 NFL Mock Draft
Round One
Pick 20 - Jordan Davis - Defensive Lineman - Georgia
SI.com
It's the love that has been forgotten about from many minds. The love for Malik Willis has stayed fresh in the media since the Senior Bowl, but the one that hasn't been mentioned much since it happened was Mike Tomlin saying he'd love to have Davis. Tomlin of course said he believed Davis would be gone by the time the Steelers select, but the Georgia defensive lineman falls juuuuust enough to #20 for the Steelers. With Willis, and cornerback Derek Stingley Jr off the board already the decision will be easy. While Davis will be limited during the first half of the season, he will serve as an insurance policy for Tyson Alualu who is coming off a major injury.
Round Two
Pick 52 - Jaquan Brisker - Safety - Penn State
PennLive.com
The Steelers re-signed Terrell Edmunds to a one-year contract last week, but that won't change anything for the Steelers in regard to bringing in some competition. While Edmunds has been a serviceable safety next to star Minkah Fitzpatrick, Brisker would bring more play making ability to the Steelers back end. Brisker and second-year man Tre Norwood would give the Steelers solid safety depth beside Fitzpatrick for years to come. Brisker has the ability to match up with all tight ends because of his size and talent level. Had he not been injured during 2021 he may have been considered a sure fire first round selection.
Round Three
Pick 84 - Tyquan Thornton - Wide Receiver - Baylor
USA Today
Speed kills, and Thornton ran a 4.28 40-yard dash, and would add an element of speed that the Steelers don't currently have. It would also strengthen a position of need for Pittsburgh. Usually, receivers with that type of top end speed don't make it out of the first two rounds, but Thorton has some growing to do as a receiver. He struggles on contested catches, and he won't be able to run the full route tree to begin with. But playing behind Diontae Johnson, and Chase Claypool will allow the Steelers to use him like they did Martavis Bryant as a rookie. Get the ball into his hands on short passes with space or throw it deep down the field and let him run under it.
Round Four
Pick 138 - Damarri Mathis - Cornerback - Pitt
SI.com
No, it's not the Pitt player that many people in Steeler Nation would love to have, but I believe they'll be satisfied with Mathis. He has sticky hands and has solid speed. An All-ACC Honorable Mention, he started 13 games for Pitt in 2021 before opting out of the teams Bowl game. He's a gritty corner that isn't afraid to come up and stop the run from the slot position. Last season the Steelers struggled mightily trying to replace Mike Hilton, but Mathis could be effective in that role.
Round Five
NO PICK
Round Six
Pick 208 - Ty Chandler - Running Back - North Carolina
On3.com
The Steelers brass attended the North Carolina pro day to watch quarterback Sam Howell, but they also saw Chandler in person. Chandler could be what the Steelers thought they were getting with Anthony McFarland. Chandler transferred from Tennessee and replaced Javonte Williams, and Michael Carter who both made it to the NFL and were successful as rookies. Chandler has 4.3 speed but can run defenders over with his size. He's also able to catch passes out of the back field, which has become something that Tomlin, and Kevin Colbert have come to love over the years. If the running back draft class wasn't as loaded this year he could've went in round 4 or 5.
Round Seven
Pick 225 - Connor Heyward - Fullback/Tight End - Michigan State
Mike Mulholland MLive.com
Pittsburgh loves adding brothers of their current players, and they also love pedigrees from NFL families. Heyward checks both of those boxes. And not to mention we know the Steelers love players who can do more. Heyward brings that to the table with his ability to line up in the back field, or on the line of scrimmage to block for Najee Harris. Tomlin loved past tight end David Johnson who they used as a blocker from all areas of the field. Heyward would also bring depth onto the special teams' units. With Derek Watt set to become a free agent after 2022, Heyward could at the very least fill his role at a lot cheaper price.
Pick 241 - Chris Oladokun - Quarterback - South Dakota State
SI.com
The Steelers brought Oladokun to the South Side for a visit a few weeks ago, and they'll select him here, so they don't have to battle it out with other teams during the undrafted free agent process. Oladokun transferred from South Florida to South Dakota State following the 2020 season. At South Dakota he threw for over 3000 yards, and 25 touchdowns. As are all late round picks, Oladokun will be a project that isn't going to be ready for quite a while if he's ever ready.
