Pigskin’s 2022 Team Mock Drafts STEELERS

April 11, 2022

By and large the Steelers have been a pay as you go franchise, and in keeping with that philosophy they currently hold 7 Picks, 1 in each of the first 4 Rounds. And as usual they have some holes to fill, and look to do so with Rookies. I currently count 10 new veteran additions to their depth chart. Not only has BIG BEN retired, but veteran GM KEVIN COLBERT will also be retiring after this Draft has concluded. This team builds thru the Draft so, like all teams who do it that way, they must add quality and quantity to their roster with the players I bequeath to them below. I will do my best to keep the Steelers faithful happy with the following additions.

STEELERS Draft 2022

Pick 20     LEWIS  CINE    S    Georgia   6’2/199        A nice sized, athletic player from the UGA talent pool, which on Defense usually means a sure fire NFL starter. Luv that 4.37/40 from the Combine, but most of all luv to watch him on film. He plays at that speed and trusts his eyes. In his case it’s not much guessing, it’s more calculation. He could be the best all-around S the team has had since Troy Polamalu retired. He and Minkah will form an all-around, athletic young S tandem.

Pick 52     SKYY MOORE    WR    W. Michigan   5’10/195      The Steelers have had good success going to the MAC for their WR group. Antonio Brown & Diontae Johnson, previous MAC selections, make this Pick a comfort zone choice for Colbert & Tomlin. SKYY ran a 4.41/40 at the Combine, but he is even quicker than he is fast. Not too many 5’10 guys have 10 1/4″ hands to catch with like he does. I have no doubt that he will also provide some help to their return game, which lost Ray-Ray McCLOUD to Free Agency. He might even beat out ANTHONY MILLER as the slot guy once Tomlin establishes trust in him.

Pick   84    BAILEY ZAPPE    QB   Western Kentucky   6’0/213     I, like many, have ZAPPE as a 4th Rounder, but this team needs a young developmental player at QB. The tragic death of DWAYNE HASKINS created a depth chart hole behind VFA TRUBISKY.  Biggest knock on ZAPPE is his lack of arm strength, but he is accurate and has a solid FBI. Playing in a WKU Offense which seldom ran the ball by design, he played catch with his receivers and threw for 5,967 yards and 62 TD’s for the Hilltoppers. Did I mention that was in one season. He makes up for lack of arm strength to some degree with pocket mobility and has arm angle throw versatility to take advantage of passing lanes. I am convinced TOMLIN wanted WILLIS, but neither I, nor COLBERT would allow for a trade up to “reach” for WILLIS.

Pick 138      ERIC JOHNSON     DT     Missouri State  6’4/300      Don’t groan Steelers Nation. This guy has been a big riser since the Star games, where he played in both the NFLPA and the Senior Bowl. Very physical and athletic. Can slide inside or out, ala ALUALU, who he may share time with on the Nose. Not at the Combine, which was a shame, but he is a Steelers kind of player and guy.

Pick 208      CAM TAYLOR-BRITT      CB    Nebraska     5’11/196

Pick 225      ISAIH PACHECO    RB     Rutgers   5’10/216

Pick 241     LUKE WATTENBURG    OC    Washington    6’4/300

Not enough here to have Steelers fans organizing a Draft Class parade through town, but solid football players who should blend in with the current roster mix. This group might look better on the field than on paper/website screens.

Cheers

Pigskin

P.S.  A special thanks to teammate LARRY PARKER, for his usual fine work proofing and adding info for me. LP is playing hurt right now, but refuses to come out of the lineup. Keep up the good work and fight on, Larry.