Pittsburgh Steelers Draft Options: Day Two – Steelers Depot

Day one of the 2022 NFL Draft is in the books and while there’s so much to talk about with QB Kenny Pickett’s team selection, we already have to think about day two of the draft.

Although the draft always proves to be unpredictable, we can make some guesses as to who might be on the Steelers’ radar in the second and third rounds. Grouped by position but in no particular order, here are some names to keep in mind.

Skyy Moore/WR Western Michigan – One of the Steelers’ most teased names, he might be in play at No. 52. Moore hails from New Kensington, a town less than 30 minutes from downtown Pittsburgh. He’s small but not short with big 10 1/4-inch hands and can beat media coverage, an area where most college receivers struggle. Pittsburgh needs a slot option to replace JuJu Smith-Schuster and hasn’t done it right throughout free agency. The draft always seemed like the most likely option.

George Pickens/WR Georgia – A limited first-round talent last year due to a torn ACL in March 2021, he returned for the last handful of games last year for the Bulldogs. His impact was relatively limited, despite catching a 52-yard pass in their national championship win, but he proved to be healthy and well-tested in the pre-draft process. WR coach Frisman Jackson personally worked on Pickens on his pro day. There are questions about brutality and rumbles about maturity, but the talent is hard to deny. He may not reach #52 but that’s a plausible scenario.

Danny Gray / WR SMU – Gray has a legit 4.33 speed and the Steelers offense needs an infusion of big-play ability. Those wheels have been playing the field well in 2021, averaging nearly 17 yards per catch and finding the end zone almost 20% of the time (nine touchdowns on 49 receptions). Frisman Jackson was at the Mustangs’ Pro Day. A third-round option.

Daniel Faalele/OT Minnesota – We’ve only spotted new line coach Pat Meyer at two Pro Days this year: Texas A&M and Minnesota. Aggies top guy OG Kenyon Green went in the first round, leaving Golden Gophers’ Faalele as the top line prospect available Meyer had his eyes on.

Faalele is Zach Banner’s height at 6’8, 390 pounds (frankly, that’s taller than Banner) but is a quality athlete and mover in space. A former rugby player, he predictably gets a push in the running game and runs his feet. He will have to work on managing inside rushes and counters and is probably not ready to play out of the gate. But he wouldn’t have Pittsburgh as long as Dan Moore Jr. and Chukwuma Okorafor stay healthy. This one makes a lot of sense and could happen in either round.

Nicholas Little Brother/OT State of Ohio – His name is less talked about, but he is expected to be a pick for day two. A starting left tackle at Ohio State in 2021 and a right tackle in 2020, he offers size (6’5, 316) with good length (nearly 34-inch arm). Comes from a top program and our Tom Mead loved his balance and technique for handling the bull and power rushes. He noted that Petit-Frère had to work at his pad, often playing too high. He could be a swing contender right away, battling veteran Joe Haeg.

DeMarvin Leal/DL Texas A&M – If the Steelers want to take a bigger swing down the D line given the unit’s age and Stephon Tuitt’s uncertainty, it could be a guy like Leal (pronounced last name Lee-al) . Steelers defensive line coach Karl Dunbar attended A&M’s Pro Day to watch Leal and later teammate Jayden Peevy. Leal is long with good production, 8.5 sacks in the SEC last year (five of those sacks came in conference). Leal lacks a standout trait and isn’t a great athlete, but he fits what the team is looking for. Could be in play at No. 52, although some believe it will fall.

Thomas Booker/DL Stanford – Underrated name for most of this process, but Booker gained buzz late for his build and football IQ. Our Tom Mead praised Booker’s speed and drive, but ultimately made him one of three Day Three picks. Still, some draftniks think he could be a second-day player and makes sense at No. 84.

Brandon Smith/LB Penn State – Mentioning an off-ball linebacker here at Smith. He’s got size (6035, 244 lbs), athleticism (4.52 40) with good 2021 production. Devin Bush is likely entering the final year of his rookie contract while Myles Jack has only been signed for a two-year contract. Several others are also expected to enter free agency in 2023: Robert Spillane, Marcus Allen and Ulysees Gilbert III. So, while the ILB room is packed now, it might look a lot emptier ten months from now. Linebackers coaches Brian Flores and Jerry Olsavsky attended Penn State’s Pro Day.

Drake Jackson / EDGE USC – A big-body EDGE rusher from a top program, though USC is looking to recapture its past glory. Still, Jackson did his part with eight tackles for loss and five sacks last season, first and second on the team, respectively. He weighs 6025, 273 pounds and Pittsburgh likes to draft their big EDGE rushers. The good ones, anyway. I wouldn’t totally rule it out at #52, but #84 also makes sense.

Marcus Jones/CB Houston – Brought in for a pre-draft visit, he’s a spunky corner with great ball skills, so much so that the team briefly played him at WR in 2021, with Jones catching ten assists and a touchdown. He’s an electric returner (although he would need a Johnnie Cochran level of persuasion to convince Mike Tomlin to work on it), and a hard-hitting DB with nine career interceptions, including five last year. He is small with a narrow chest and surgery on both shoulders. None of this is great, but if Pittsburgh is looking for something closer to Mike Hilton, he could be their man. Third round option.

Jaquan Brisker/S Penn State – Brisker is a box checker. DB coach Grady Brown attended his Pro day and there is a strong connection between the Steelers’ two picks of the day and the position coach’s presence at the Pro day. Brisker is an all-around safety capable of playing LOS or deep, after safety. He plays downhill and can handle tight ends in the passing game. Tackle was a problem in 2021 but he struggled with a shoulder injury. Security remains a need; Terrell Edmunds’ one-year cheap won’t stop them from taking a longer-term guy.

Nick Cross/S Maryland – While we don’t believe Cross came for a visit or had Brown on his Pro Terps day, he does check a ton of boxes. He’s young (not even 21 and I believe the youngest plausibly draftable player in the entire class), athletic (RAS score of 9.87, highlighted by 4.34 40 and 10’10” wide ), to a position of need. Oh yeah, he was roommates with Mike Tomlin’s son, Dino, at school too. Can easily see Cross being the choice. Most expect him in the third round, but the Steelers have been known to take these guys a round early, so the No. 52 can’t be ruled out.