2-Round 2022 NFL Mock Draft: Pre-Combine Mock Has Trades Galore!

The third trade of this 2022 NFL Mock Draft has the Steelers trading up for the heir apparent to long-time quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Pittsburgh, like many others, will be in on any veteran made available this offseason. In the event that Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson both stay put, the Steelers could be left without a dancing partner at quarterback.

When draft day comes around and Mason Rudolph is still sitting at the top of the depth chart, expect the team to be aggressive in positioning themselves to fill the slot via draft pick.

The Steelers might view Matt Corral or Sam Howell as a more enticing option, but Desmond Ridder is the best fit — not only for the present but also the future. Ridder started nearly 50 games in college and is the best pre-snap quarterback in the class.

His experience will be invaluable for a team that never rebuilds and is looking to contend in 2022 and beyond. Ridder has gobs of arm talent and decent athleticism to go with his high IQ. If he can clean up some accuracy issues, he will be viewed as a steal 12 months from now.

The Eagles take advantage of a draft-day slide here, scooping up Sauce Gardner at the midpoint of the first round. Ridders’ Bearcat teammate for the past three seasons goes to the City of Brotherly Love to be a running mate opposite pro-bowl cornerback Darius Slay. Along with Ridder, Gardner helped put Cincinnati football on the map nationally. Culminating in a College Football Playoff appearance against the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Gardner finished his career with zero touchdowns allowed and recorded three interceptions in each of his three seasons, proving that he has ball skills to match his elite mirroring ability. Sauce also has a swagger that top cornerbacks must possess, dominating opposing wide receivers and letting them know about it while he does. He will fit perfectly in the city.