Latest NFL.com mock draft has the Pittsburgh Steelers in an unlikely scenario

The latest mock draft from NFL.com has the Pittsburgh Steelers passing on Liberty quarterback Malik Wills in the first round. Instead of drafting Willis, NFL.com's Cynthia Frelund has Pittsburgh drafting Central Michigan offensive tackle Bernhard Raimann with the No. 20 overall pick. From NFL.com: The highest win-share scenario for the Steelers is to add versatility […]

Zach Ragan Tennessee Volunteers News Writer
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Pittsburgh Steelers

The latest mock draft from NFL.com has the Pittsburgh Steelers passing on Liberty quarterback Malik Wills in the first round.

Instead of drafting Willis, NFL.com's Cynthia Frelund has Pittsburgh drafting Central Michigan offensive tackle Bernhard Raimann with the No. 20 overall pick.

From NFL.com:

The highest win-share scenario for the Steelers is to add versatility to the O-line in the draft — especially with this developing talent, who has already flashed high upside and carries markers showing he can play both inside and outside. PFF shows Raimann only allowed 10 pressures on passing downs last season.

Mar 3, 2022; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Central Michigan offensive lineman Bernhard Raimann talks to the media during the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine.  Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 3, 2022; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Central Michigan offensive lineman Bernhard Raimann talks to the media during the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Drafting Raimann would be a great move for the Steelers. It would be a smart pick that would make Pittsburgh better in the trenches long-term.

Raimann is a former tight end who would bring plenty of athleticism and explosiveness to the offensive tackle position for the Steelers.

Here's the scouting report on Raimann from NFL.com:

With alluring athleticism and an impressive skill set, Raimann is just scratching the surface of his potential. His initial transition from tight end to left tackle occurred in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic, making his rapid transformation fairly remarkable. He is a much better technician than he should be at this stage, but his approach is also mechanical and he could struggle against sophisticated edge defenders until he learns to diversify his pass sets and hand usage. Raimann's instincts and fundamentals at the position are still in a developmental phase so bumps in the road are expected, but his best football is ahead of him and he should become a long-time starter at left tackle.

It's hard to be mad at landing a potential long-time starting left tackle with the No. 20 overall pick.

But would the Steelers really pass on Willis to make this pick?

I doubt it. Pittsburgh needs to find a franchise quarterback and the most likely way for that to happen is through the draft. Even though Willis isn't a sure thing, it would be worth the gamble to take him at No. 20.

The only problem is that Willis almost certainly isn't falling to No. 20. I don't think he makes it past the Carolina Panthers at No. 6.

So while drafting Raimann seems like a strong possibility for the Steelers, it won't happen quite the way NFL.com is predicting. Pittsburgh won't be in a situation where they have to choose Willis or Raimann.

Featured image via Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports