Open Rants by Cletus

Here we are- down to the last minute, and I'm SCRAMBLING to get my annual Steelers mock done! I thought about skipping it but I say NAY! I cannot disappoint the two people that will read this! So without further ado mom and dad, I present to you my annual Mighty and Beloved Pittsburgh Steelers 2022 mock draft!

Round 1, Pick # 20- The Steelers select: Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh.

Before all of the pre-draft hype, I hoped Matt Corral would fall to us, somehow, someway. As I did my research, I saw more and more on Pickett. As I watched interviews, particularly one where he stated "we have work to do still, Imma go drink a cold one and think about the next game" or something to that effect I thought to myself- this is our guy. Is it partly because he reminds me of Joe Burrow? Noooooooo. Maybe. I won't directly admit the Bengals scored with that guy; but I love Pickett's moxie and the guys in the locker room will follow him. But he has small hands... He can't play in the cold... He's already in Pittsburgh, keep him home, call it a wrap. Other possibilities: Jordan Davis (please?), Matt Corral, Malik Willis. ***Side note- I want to love Willis. I do. But the fact that he could not beat out Stidham and win the job at Auburn bothers me. I love his attitude though. We'll see.

Round 2, Pick # 52- Phidarian Mathis, DT, Alabama.

I know everyone is screaming WR. I get it. However, this draft is deep at WR, we have Claypool, we have Johnson, and Friermuth will be an absolute stud. Fantasy players- Friermuth. Trust me- monster season. DT in a 3-4 is tough. You need big bodies that still have motors. Meet Phidarian Mathis. Watch his tape- this guy is non-stop, unending effort. I love this guy. The reason I'm going DL here is age, uncertainty with Tuitt, and as previously mentioned 3-4 DTs are difficult to project. Mathis helps the run game defense for sure. Other possibilities: Travis Jones, John Metchie III, George Pickens

Round 3, Pick # 84- Nick Cross, S, Maryland.

After weeks of free agency, the Steelers resigned Edmunds to a 1-year deal. Had Tyrann Mathieu agreed to a semi-affordable deal, I have to believe Edmunds would not have been back. A 1-year deal, on top of the lack of interest in Edmunds, makes me believe they are still in the hunt for a safety and worse-case scenario depth and special teams can use the infusion of young talent. Cross is a former track star- he closes quick and is explosive. He also has a good frame with long arms. Cross has flown a little under the radar, but is on par with Brisker and Cine. I'm not sold on Hamilton in the 1st either; remember the Simmons experiment a couple years back? I like a prototypical safety, and Cross is it. Other possibilities: Myjai Sanders, Abraham Lucas, Nik Bonitto, Wandale Robinson.

Round 4, Pick # 138- Mario Goodrich, CB, Clemson.

I was tempted to go with Goodrich's teammate here Justyn Ross, but we have a big bodied WR. I would love the Steelers to bring Haden back for one more year- I think he still has some gas in the tank. Even with the addition of Wallace, we need CB help. Mario Goodrich may not contribute immediately, but he's got good size and is a solid corner. Yes, you might think he would have more interceptions. But he's a good tackler and I think will grow into a starting corner. Other possibilities: Justyn Ross, Haskell Garrett, Tariq Castro-Fields

Round 6, Pick # 208- Dontarrio Drummond, WR, Mississippi.

Finally! A WR! Drummond was one of Matt Corral's favorite targets. His size is similar to JuJu (I miss you already JuJu) and he is a load to bring down after the catch. He's got good route running skills, good hands, and will slide in nicely to fill the spot left by JJSS. This will leave Johnson to be the dynamic yards after catch guy, Claypool to make the deep catches or back of the endzone balls, and a big body to make the tough catches over the middle. Other possibilities: Obinna Eze? It's late in the draft. Who knows. I have a tough time figuring out the Steelers in round 2.

Round 7, Pick # 225- Jack Sanborn, LB, Wisconsin.

Because they'll take a linebacker, and I like Sanborn.

Round 7, Pick # 241- James Empey, C, BYU

Take a developmental IOL.

I know the Steelers are getting projected to take OTs and OL in general. However, I really like the moves they made in the offseason and I still like Dan Moore, Jr. who I think has a good chance to maintain the starting spot. As a matter of fact I think he has a better chance than Kendrick Green (Creed Humphrey?) This draft is definitely more wide open than most and tough to gauge. The Jaguars supposedly- as of 2 hours before they are on the clock- still don't know who to pick. I will almost guarantee that I get none of these picks right, but that's the fun of Draft Day, and I'm pretty much more Kevin Costner and less Kevin Colbert. I also guarantee that the majority of Steelers fans will be mad tomorrow about something because, well, that's what we do. 

Let's Go!!!! (Que Renegade)