With a mere 11 days left before the opening night of the 2022 NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers are making their final push in their pre-draft preparations. We’ve seen General Manager Kevin Colbert, Head Coach Mike Tomlin, and even Defensive Assistant Brian Flores make their rounds to various college Pro Days. In Pittsburgh, we’ve seen a plethora of prospective draft picks visit the facility and meet with the team. In what is shaping to be one of the most crucial drafts in recent Steelers history, the Steelers are being diligent in their analysis and are not leaving any stone unturned. So after the NFL Combine, the Pro Day circuit, and prospect meetings, who has a good chance of getting called in the first round? Who has fallen out of favor or priority?
In light of this holiday weekend, let’s take a look at whose early-round chances have ‘risen’ and who the Steelers should ‘pass over’ in the draft:
Who has RISEN for the Steelers?
Desmond Ridder, Quarterback
We are all too aware of the Steelers’ dire quarterback needs and Ridder has gotten a lot of attention from Tomlin. Tomlin had dinner with Ridder leading into the Cincinnati Pro Day and Ridder visited the Steelers in Pittsburgh earlier this month. The Steelers have a better chance of Ridder being available to them at the 20th overall spot over Malik Willis or Kenny Pickett, and he has been bumping along the ‘late first round to early second round’ conversation. Ridder would fit well behind Mitch Trubisky early on to be groomed into a possible starter. If the Steelers want decent quarterback talent in this draft, they can’t wait for the 52nd overall spot on the second day; they’ll need to grab Ridder in the first round.
Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) throws a pass against the Tulsa Golden Hurricane in the first half at Nippert Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Kyle Hamilton, Safety
As of right now, the strong safety position is the only position that doesn’t have a presumed starter listed. Although we’re keeping a close eye on the Tyrann Mathieu sweepstakes, we know the Steelers have made a ‘hometown’ offer to Terrell Edmunds should he decide to regain his role within the defense. But even if one of those two signs, the Steelers don’t have a lot of reliable depth at the safety position. Hamilton checks all the right boxes the Steelers look for in a starting safety. The Steelers rarely use their first-round selection on a safety; but when they do, it is for good reason (see Troy Polamalu). I’m not saying Hamilton is on the same level as Polamalu, but he has a very similar play style and is an instant starter paired with Minkah Fitzpatrick. Hamilton has been slipping on some other teams’ draft boards, but he’s set to meet with the Steelers this week to prove he’s worth their 20th overall pick.
Safety Kyle Hamilton #14 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. (Photo by Don Juan Moore / Getty Images)
Nick Cross, Safety
As you may notice, I anticipate the Steelers drafting a safety early on in this draft. But with that said, I’m looking at Cross a bit differently than Hamilton. Hamilton is first-round talent; that is for sure. But Cross is different in that he began the pre-draft cycle as a third-day pick, but has risen on multiple draft boards to the second-day conversation. Tomlin likes Maryland products and Cross comes across as a ‘better’ version of Sean Davis. Cross could bring what Tomlin thought Davis had as a part of the strong safety position in 2016. Cross tested well at the combine and turned a lot of heads with his speed and agility scores. If the Steelers decide to wait until after the first round to address the safety position, expect Cross to get a call on the second day. There haven’t been any reports indicating a visit to Pittsburgh, but I expect Cross and Tomlin to connect at some point before the draft.
Photo via UMTerps.com
Who should be PASSED OVER?
Any offensive lineman
Before free agency, re-building the offensive line was a big priority. But with the re-signing of Chuks Okorafor and JC Hassenauer, combined with the acquisitions of Mason Cole and James Daniels, the Steelers are heading into the draft with higher needs than the offensive line. I’m not saying they won’t draft an offensive lineman in the entire draft, but the need has fallen outside of the ‘first three rounds’ conversation. Not to mention, the Steelers have yet to formally meet with any offensive line prospect and there doesn’t seem to be any name on the docket who are expected to visit Pittsburgh. I do not expect the Steelers to select an offensive lineman in the first two days of the draft.
Andrew Booth Jr., Cornerback
The Steelers need help in the secondary; that is a statement that is unanimous amongst Steeler Nation. However, the Steelers began to address that need through free agency in re-signing Arthur Maulet and Ahkello Witherspoon, while acquiring Levi Wallace as well. This doesn’t necessarily mean the Steelers won’t draft a cornerback early, though. But with that said, Booth Jr. has slid down the Steelers’ draft board. Booth Jr. was looking to be a top 20 selection in the draft, but he’s been injured for much of the pre-draft workouts and activities. He cited a quad injury prevented him from working out at the combine and his Pro Day, and underwent a successful sports hernia surgery at the end of March. Although he’s expected to be ready for training camp, Booth Jr.’s draft stock has slipped and the Steelers should avoid him with their 20th overall selection. This year’s cornerback draft class is fairly deep and the Steelers could find similar talent Booth Jr. possesses in the second or third rounds. The Steelers should look elsewhere in the earlier rounds.
Photo by John Byrum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Non-Slot Wide Receivers
With the departures of JuJu Smith-Schuster, Ray-Ray McCloud, and James Washington, the Steelers are going to be drafting a wide receiver in this draft. But with that said, this draft class is a bit of a mixed bag in terms of talent level and where the prospects line up on the field. The Steelers’ outside receivers are presumably set with Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool, but the slot receiver role is open. Some names who could realistically be available at the 20th overall spot include George Pickens, Jameson Williams, John Metchie III, and Chris Olave. Of those names, I still consider quarterback and safety as higher priority in the first round than those receivers. This draft class is deep at the receiver position and with the likes of true slot receivers, such as Skyy Moore, Josh Johnson, Wan’Dale Robinson, and Khalil Shakir likely being available in the middle rounds, the Steelers should wait on calling a wide receiver early in the draft. Not to mention, the Steelers are one of the best organizations at drafting receivers, so there is no immediate pressure on using an early pick on a receiver in this draft.
Photo via Colts Wire / USA TODAY
Whose draft stock do you think has risen for the Steelers? Who do you think the Steelers should pass over in the draft? Let us know in the comments below!
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