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Pittsburgh Steelers full 2022 NFL mock draft

By Rucker Haringey

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 30: Desmond Ridder #9 of the Cincinnati Bearcats throws the ball against the Tulane Green Wave during the second half at Yulman Stadium on October 30, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 30: Desmond Ridder #9 of the Cincinnati Bearcats throws the ball against the Tulane Green Wave during the second half at Yulman Stadium on October 30, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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Steelers mock draft, David Ojabo
STATE COLLEGE, PA – NOVEMBER 13: David Ojabo #55 of the Michigan Wolverines celebrates after recording a sack against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the first half at Beaver Stadium on November 13, 2021 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

Round 2: David Ojabo

The Steelers understand they aren’t ready to be Super Bowl contenders with a rookie quarterback (or Mitchell Trubisky) piloting their offense next season. That means Pittsburgh is a team that can afford to gamble on Ojabo even though he’s going to almost certainly miss the year due to the torn Achilles he suffered during a pre-draft workout.

When healthy, the former Michigan star is an ideal fit for the Steelers’ base defense. He has the size required to rush the passer from a conventional edge rusher spot, but he also possesses the quickness to operate as a rush linebacker in a 3-4 alignment. That means he can profile as a long-term replacement for either TJ Watt or Cameron Heyward depending on how his body develops.

It’s worth noting that Ojabo was going to be a first-round pick before his injury. There’s still a strong chance he goes off the board before Pittsburgh goes on the clock at No. 52. They shouldn’t move up to select him due to his injury status, but having a strong talent fall in their laps in Round 2 would be a Day 2 win for the organization.

Ojabo can’t help Pittsburgh’s defense next season, but coming away with a potential double-digit sack guy in Round 2 is worth the wait for the Steelers. The team’s front office will need a little luck to land Ojabo but it’s certainly possible.

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