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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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – NOVEMBER 6: Kerby Joseph #25 of the Illinois Fighting Illini celebrates after intercepting a pass by Tanner Morgan #2 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers in the fourth quarter of the game at Huntington Bank Stadium on November 6, 2021 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Fighting Illini defeated the Golden Gophers 14-6. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images) /

Round 4: Kerby Joseph

Joseph is a safety prospect that divides opinion among scouts at the moment. He was very productive last year at Illinois despite a lack of experience at the safety position, but some NFL executives believe he lacks the athleticism to really thrive at free safety.

Questions about his speed and range are why he projects to be available when the Steelers go on the clock in Round 4. Tomlin doesn’t need a guy to come in and start right away. Pittsburgh can afford to be patient with a prospect like Joseph and deploy him largely on special teams as a rookie.

The best-case scenario for Joseph is that he turns into one of those safeties that can make an impact at the line of scrimmage and come up with timely turnovers in the deep third of the field. He may never become a starter, but securing a third safety in Round 4 would be good value for the Steelers.

Joseph isn’t a sexy prospect but he’s got the sort of edge the Steelers like to deploy on defense. He could turn into nice value for Pittsburgh after a year or two of quality defensive coaching.

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