Former NFL player releases new mock draft and has Steelers making a brilliant selection
The Pittsburgh Steelers would love to select Liberty quarterback Malik Willis in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. But it's extremely unlikely that Willis falls to the Steelers at No. 20 (especially after his terrific Pro Day this week). The only real shot Pittsburgh has at landing Willis is to trade up. And […]
The Pittsburgh Steelers would love to select Liberty quarterback Malik Willis in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
But it's extremely unlikely that Willis falls to the Steelers at No. 20 (especially after his terrific Pro Day this week).
The only real shot Pittsburgh has at landing Willis is to trade up. And that's probably a long shot at best for the Steelers. Pittsburgh would likely need to make a deal with the Detroit Lions for the No. 2 overall pick (the Carolina Panthers at No. 6 are a major threat to draft Willis). That wouldn't be cheap.
The Steelers could also look to take Pittsburgh Panthers quarterback Kenny Pickett at No. 20, but it looks like he won't fall that far, either.
Pittsburgh doesn't have to take a quarterback in the first round. They can roll with Mitch Trubisky for this season and then see what the draft has to offer in 2023.
The Steelers, after all, have other needs. And former NFL running back Maurice Jones-Drew, now an analyst for the NFL Network, has Pittsburgh addressing one of those needs in his newest mock draft.
Jones-Drew has Pittsburgh taking Northern Iowa offensive tackle Trevor Penning with the No. 20 overall pick.
From NFL.com:
Pittsburgh snags one of the toughest and most physical players in this year's draft class to bolster the front line. His grit fits in perfectly with Mike Tomlin's bunch.
I absolutely love this selection for the Steelers.
Drafting an offensive lineman in the first round is never a glamorous pick, but it's the type of pick that sets a franchise up for long-term success.
Pittsburgh's offensive line was a liability last season, so it's definitely an area of need for the Steelers in the draft.
And Penning would be a perfect fit.
Penning has a mean streak and would fit in well in Mike Tomlin's culture.
The talented offensive lineman famously said he watches horror movies before games to get himself in the right headspace to play.
That's the type of player you want in the trenches blocking for your quarterback if you're the Steelers.
Not only is this a safe pick, but it's also a pick that makes the Steelers a lot better up front where it counts.
Featured image via Kareem Elgazzar, Cincinnati Enquirer via Imagn Content Services, LLC
