Behind The Steel Curtain

We are less than two weeks away from the 2022 NFL Draft, and the draft rumor mill is beginning to pick up the pace. After a blockbuster trade and several key free agent signings in the past two weeks, it is time for an updated mock draft. This mock, like every year for mock 4.0, will go four rounds long. As I state before every mock draft, this is not based on what I hope happens; rather, it is a projection based on what I could see happening based on what I am hearing. My final seven-round prediction, mock draft 5.0, will come out the morning of the draft. I will give my best effort to predict every pick in this year’s draft while giving a detailed perspective for the Steelers’ selections. The biggest change of events since mock 3.0 was the trade between New Orleans and Philadelphia. Because of this trade, both teams now have two picks in round one, and Philadelphia gains extra ammo in 2023, likely in hopes of moving up to grab a top quarterback in the event that Jalen Hurts underperforms in 2022. This also makes the projection for the Saints difficult, as reports have implied that New Orleans has faith in their ability to win now. If this is indeed true, quarterback seems somewhat of an unlikely route for them to take in the first round. With needs at wide receiver, offensive tackle, and defensive line, there are multiple directions they could go with those picks.