2022 NFL mock draft: Texans pass on QB in QB-heavy predictions
2022 NFL mock draft: 15th pick
15. 55. Pick Analysis. OT. Zion Nelson. player. Scouting Report. Miami
The Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line group is probably not helping Ben Roethlisberger sleep at night for the time being.
The only starter returning from last season is injury replacement Chuks Okorafor. Other than that, it’s a completely overhauled and revamped line for the Steelers in 2021, which means a year of evaluation.
That also means that the offensive line should be firmly on Pittsburgh’s radar for the 2022 NFL Draft, and there are some people who would say Zion Nelson at pick number 15 overall is a highway robbery.
At 6-foot-5, 316 pounds, Nelson has an NFL-ready frame and the only question at this point is if he can improve his core strength and set a strong enough base to really keep pass rushers at bay consistently.
Nelson’s sacks allowed stats may be impressive, but that doesn’t mean he didn’t have some whiffs against pass rushers. He’s got to work on getting his hands on guys inside the shoulder pads and using that length to its fullest potential.
He projects at the next level to right or left tackle, so whatever the Steelers would envision here would work.
If Pittsburgh finishes this bad, by the way? We may not see Ben Roethlisberger beyond the 2021 season.