2022 NFL Mock Draft: Jets land superstar EDGE, Eagles triple-dip on defense
By Randy Gurzi
QB. Malik Willis. 21. 55. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. player. Liberty
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Malik Willis, QB, Liberty
The Pittsburgh Steelers have several options when it comes to replacing their star quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger. The final remaining member of the famous 2004 NFL Draft class, Big Ben has two capable players behind him — one that was drafted by his team and one that was picked up last season after failing to make it with his original club.
Mason Rudolph is the homegrown talent who has nine starts under his belt. He’s 5-4 as the starter but has had some issues with consistency and is completing just 61.7 percent of his passes. That could be why they took a flier on Dwayne Haskins in 2020 when the former first-round pick from 2019 was released by the Washington Football Team.
Haskins managed a mark of just 3-10 before being released and it doesn’t bode well for him that the entire team got better when he left. Still, he has a ton of talent and could be groomed into something.
Having said all that, there could be a third option — drafting a replacement in 2022. That’s the way they go in this mock since Malik Willis falls into their laps at pick No. 21.
A former backup at Auburn, Willis has blown up since joining Liberty. He might not be at a power conference but he’s shown that he has all the playmaking tools needed to be a pro and Pittsburgh would be a great place for him to make the most of his talent.