The first two days of the 2022 NFL Draft are already in the books. Saturday is the longest day and while it feels like the most insignificant, there are plenty of opportunities to snag Draft Gems. Here are some names to watch out for with the Steelers holding fourth, sixth and two seventh-round picks.
Chris Oladokun/QB State of South Dakota: Taking on two quarterbacks would be a bold and unusual move, but not unprecedented. Pittsburgh will enter camp with four QBs on its roster and currently only has three. The Steelers showed keen interest in him, including a pre-draft visit. He is athletic with a decent arm but has had trouble finding a home as he has played for two high schools and three colleges (USF, Samford, SDSU).
Hassan Haskins/RB Michigan: Haskins has the size, strength, and Wolverine pedigree that the Steelers covet. Pittsburgh reportedly had a Pro Day dinner with Haskins. For my money he is the best pass protector in this class, shows lateral speed and should also be a capable special teamer. The fourth round might feel a little high for him, but I don’t know if he’ll last until the sixth.
Pierre Strong/RB State of South Dakota: Second rabbit on the list. It’s rare for Pittsburgh to draft FCS-level runners, it hasn’t happened since the ’80s, but a well-built and explosive runner with great production, Strong ran well against FBS clubs and helped his team, Colorado State upset in a convincing way to open the 2021 season. Pittsburgh had scouts and staff on its Pro Day.
Leddie Brown/RB West Virginia: Adding another true running back to the list. Brown has size, power and plays in the Power 5, all the things the team is looking for. Steelers assistant coach Blaine Stewart coached Brown at his Mountaineers’ Pro Day. He also catches the ball well and lacks speed, so there’s every reason to believe the Steelers want to call him up.
Connor Heyward/H-Back Michigan State: The simplest name to put on this list. Cam Heyward’s younger brother, Connor, is a jack of all trades with no defined role in the NFL. But he’s a good athlete for his physique with natural hands and a large catching radius that should excel on special teams. This probably wouldn’t come before one of the team’s seventh-round picks, they have two of those, but the Steelers love to draw bloodlines.
Rasheed Walker/OT Penn State: Hard to find attacking players who fit well on day three as the team doesn’t seem interested. Walker is a big and long tackle that plays with a mean streak. His 2021 season wasn’t quite the year he expected and he’s in a limited position, but he’s a project that could sit for a season.
Jamaree Salyer/OG Georgia: Mostly a left tackle in college, he played some guard and could step inside there at the next level. Pittsburgh again with a presence on his Pro Day and he would be a solid value in the fourth round.
Jeffrey Gunter/EDGE Coastal Carolina: Gunter is a handsome EDGE rusher who doesn’t come from the Power 5 but puts on a good production. As a senior, he averaged 8.5 TFL and 5.5 sacks. He took the ball away with nine forced fumbles over the course of his career. The Steelers’ Dan Rooney Jr. attended his Pro Day, so there’s at least some interest there. Pittsburgh could use another EDGE rusher.
Mark Robinson/LB Ole Miss: Simple point connection here. Robinson was brought in for a pre-design visit. Borderline draft player, but he’s new to the linebacker position, having played early in his career at both Presbyterian and briefly at Ole Miss after the RB move. Could be a last lap flyer. The ILB space is likely to look significantly emptier by this time next year.
Baylon Spector/LB Clemson: Throwing out a name we didn’t discuss much. Spector brings size, athleticism, and power with nearly 200 career tackles, 21.5 of them for losses. Brian Flores attended his Tigers’ Pro Day and you’d think the team would come out of the draft with at least one Clemson product.
Damarri Mathis/CB Pitt: Undersized but ultra-sporty, he projects himself into the NFL as a solid nickel corner. A local product that the team should also know well. He shot two passes for the Panthers in 2021. I could see it being brought as high as the team’s fourth-round pick.
Coby Bryant/CB Cincinnati: Another potential fourth round option. Bryant was overshadowed by top-five pick Sauce Gardner, but Bryant has intercepted six passes for the Bearcats in the past two years. He is not a top athlete, but plays with good technique and is battle-hardened. Teams haven’t often targeted Gardner.
Josh Jobe & Jayln Armour-Davis/CB’s Alabama: Throw both together. A few Bama corners the team looked at during Pro Day with DB Coach Grady Brown. Jobe is comfortable in the press man but fights more off screen. Armor-Davis was a one-year factor with three interceptions in 2021.
Joey Blount/SVirginia: Blount is an athletic downhill safetyman and a leader in defense for these Cavs. Injuries are the biggest concern here, and perhaps the biggest reason he didn’t draw much attention before the draft. But Pittsburgh also invited him to visit after an excellent Pro Day practice. The sixth round could be the sweet spot for him.
Scott Nelson/S Wisconsin: Overlooked and underappreciated safety, Nelson has size and top-end testing, two things the Steelers love. Pittsburgh visited him virtually during the preliminary design process. His production is a little lighter, but he’s an option in 6th/7th seasons. Round.