2022 NFL Draft: Pittsburgh Steelers 7-round mock

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 06: Drake London #15 of the USC Trojans rushes past the defense of Daniel Isom #3 of the Washington State Cougars during the first half of a game at Los Angeles Coliseum on December 06, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

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CINCINNATI, OHIO – DECEMBER 04: Marcus Jones #8 of the Houston Cougars breaks up a pass to Jadon Thompson #20 of the Cincinnati Bearcats during the second half of the 2021 American Conference Championship at Nippert Stadium on December 04, 2021 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) /

Round 3: Marcus Jones

This is the point in the draft where it’s clear no potential starting quarterbacks will remain on the board for the Steelers. As such, it should be easy for Tomlin and the team’s brain trust to focus on other positions.

No team can have enough talent in the secondary to combat modern passing attacks. That makes Jones an intriguing possibility for Pittsburgh as a guy who can help boost their options at slot cornerback. At 5-foot-8, he lacks the size required to thrive on the outside. His quick-twitch athleticism in tight spaces does give him a chance to be a playmaker on the inside.

The Steelers want Justin Layne to grab that position for his own, but he may be better suited on the outside long-term. The best-case scenario for Jones in Pittsburgh is that he could give them the same production they got from Mike Hilton before he bolted in free agency.

There are a number of corners the Steelers could go for here, but Jones has the sort of athleticism that Tomlin likes to see from his secondary players. He could turn into an instant producer if he lands in the right place. Pittsburgh definitely qualifies.

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