the 2022 NFL Draft is just around the corner, and that means project analysts are going all-in on their project forecast simulations. Some fictional drafts and their authors get more attention than others, and ESPN’s two would certainly fall into that category. Be it Todd McShay or Mel Kiper Jr., both of these analysts are lightning rods when it comes to their rankings/predictions.
After McShay released his final draft last week, it was Kiper’s turn to produce content, and he did it in a full 2 round draft. Of course, these are just Kiper’s thoughts and projections of how the draft might go, but for the Pittsburgh Steelers fan, you’re scratching your head wondering if this would be the best course of action. for the team if the board were to fall that way.
That said, let’s take a look at the first round of Kiper’s latest mock draft…
Round 1
1. Jacksonville Jaguars – Aidan Hutchinson, DE, Michigan
2. Detroit Lions – Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner, BC, Cincinnati
3. Houston Texans – Travon Walker, DE, Georgia
4. New York Jets – Kayvon Thibodeaux, DE, Oregon
5. New York Giants – Ikem Ekwonu, occupational therapist, NC status
6. Carolina Panthers – Malik Willis, QB, Freedom
7. New York Giants (via CHI) – Jermaine Johnson II, DE, state of florida
8. Atlanta Falcons – Garrett Wilson, WR, ohio state
9. Seattle Seahawks (via DEN) – Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
10. New York Jets (via SEA) – Drake London, WR, USC
11. Washington Commanders – Kyle Hamilton, S, our Lady
12. Minnesota Vikings – Derek Stingley Jr., CB, USL
13. Houston Texans (via CLE) – Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State
14. Baltimore Ravens – Trent McDuffie, BC, Washington
15. Philadelphia Eagles (via MIA) – Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
16. New Orleans Saints (via PHI/IND) – Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
17. Los Angeles Chargers – Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia
18. Philadelphia Eagles (via NO) – Nakobe Dean, ILB, Georgia
19. New Orleans Saints (via PHI) – Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama
20. Pittsburgh Steelers – Kenny Pickett, QB, Pitt
I’d feel a lot more comfortable taking Pickett here than I would in the top 10. Best case scenario it’s Derek Carr and his floor is Andy Dalton type, which doesn’t is by no means a bad quarterback. Pittsburgh can win with this. Still, these two were taken in Round 2 and had no Round 1 expectations surrounding them. If Pickett falls into the Steelers’ lap here, it would be hard to pass him up. And he has a few more advantages than Mitch Trubisky.
21. New England Patriots – Devin Lloyd, ILB, Utah
22. Green Bay Packers (via LV) – Christian Watson, WR, ND State
23. Arizona Cardinals – Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
24. Dallas Cowboys – Arnold Ebiketie, DE, Penn State
25. Buffalo Tickets – Daxton Hill, DB, Michigan
26. Tennessee Titans – Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Devonte Wyatt, DT, Georgia
28. Green Bay Packers – Zion Johnson, G/C, Boston College
29. Kansas City Chiefs (via MIA/SF) – Andrew Booth Jr., CB, Clemson
30. Kansas City Chiefs – George Karlaftis, DE, Purdue
31. New York Jets (via mock trade with CIN) – Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa
32. Detroit Lions (via LAR) – Lewis Cine, S, GA
There’s plenty of talent to choose from when the Steelers pick at No. 20, but Kiper feels the Steelers’ need at quarterback is too great to let Pickett down any further. With Willis off the roster at No. 6 at Carolina, Pickett is the second-best quarterback on the roster. But that doesn’t mean it’s the best direction for the team in the first round. There is still talent available in positions that need it on both sides of football. It’s hard to see the likes of Devin Lloyd, Devonte Wyatt and Tyler Linderbaum all on the board and left behind by the black and gold.
2nd round
33. Jacksonville Jaguars – Kenyon Green, G. Texas A&M
34. Detroit Lions – David Ojabo, OLB, Michigan
35. Cincinnati Bengals (via mock exchange with NYJ) – Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida
36. New York Giants – Jalen Pitre, S, Baylor
37. Houston Texans – Jaquan Brisker, S, Penn State
38. New York Jets (via CAR) – Breece Hall, RB, Iowa State
39. Chicago Bears – Kyler Gordon, BC, Washington
40. Seattle Seahawks (via DEN) — Desmond Ridder, QB, Cincinnati
41. Seattle Seahawks – Quay Walker, LB, Georgia
42. Indianapolis Colts (via WSH) – Bernhard Raimann, OT, Central Michigan
43. Atlanta Falcons – Boye Mafe, OLB, Minn.
44. Cleveland Browns – Travis Jones, DT, Connecticut
45. Baltimore Ravens – Channing Tindall, LB, Georgia
46. Minnesota Vikings – Perrion Winfrey, DT, Oklahoma
47. Washington Commanders (via IND) – George Pickens, WR, Georgia
48. Chicago Bears (via LAC) — Tyler Smith, OT/G, Tulsa
49. New Orleans Saints – Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss
50. Kansas City Chiefs (via MIA) – Skyy Moore, WR, West Michigan
51. Philadelphia Eagles – Drake Jackson, DE/OLB, USC
52. Pittsburgh Steelers –John Metchie III, WR, Alabama
Metchie tore his ACL in December, but he’s had a fantastic season, with 96 catches for 1,142 yards and eight scores. He can play in the slot and make a difference in midfield for the Steelers, which left JuJu Smith-Schuster walking in free agency. Metchie should be able to recover to play in Week 1 – and potentially help Kenny Pickett.
53. Green Bay Packers (via LV) – Alec Pierce, WR, Cincinnati
54. New England Patriots – Logan Hall, DL, Houston
55. Arizona Cardinals – Roger McCreary, BC, Auburn
56. Dallas Cowboys – Abraham Lucas, occupational therapist, washington state
57. Buffalo Notes – Kenneth Walker III, AR, state of michigan
58. Atlanta Falcons (via TEN) — Troy Andersen, LB, Montana State
59. Green Bay Packers – Myjai Sanders, DE/OLB, Cincinnati
60. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Strange Cole, G, Chattanooga
61. San Francisco 49ers – Cam Taylor-Britt, DB, Nebraska
62. Kansas City Chiefs – Jalen Tolbert, WR, South Alabama
63. Cincinnati Bengals – Greg Dulcich, TE, UCLA
64. Denver Broncos (via LAR) – Trey McBride, TE, Colorado State
The Steelers remain tight at the No. 52 pick and once again focus on the offensive side of the ball with the pick of Metchie III. After major knee surgery, many fans/pundits will be skeptical of the pick, but many have come back from those injuries with no hampering in their performance. The Steelers taking Pickett in Round 1 opened the door for teams like the Seahawks and Saints to take Desmond Ridder and Matt Corral in Round 2. Again, plenty of talent on the board, but you’d be hard-pressed to say the Steelers don’t need both quarterback and wide receiver help. Getting those positions in Rounds 1 and 2 isn’t horrible.
What do you think of Kiper’s latest draft? Would you be satisfied with the selections? Are there any players that have been passed on that you would have taken if you had developed this simulation? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below and be sure to stay tuned to BTSC for the latest Steelers news and notes as they prepare for the next wave of free agency and the NFL draft.
