Mel Kiper predicts whether the Steelers will draft a quarterback

One of the biggest needs the Pittsburgh Steelers have to fill is a quarterback. That could be a direction they go in the draft, according to ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper Jr.

In Kiper’s latest mock draft, he has the Steelers selecting Liberty quarterback Malik Willis with the No. 20 overall pick. That means Pittsburgh could benefit from quarterbacks sliding down the board in this year’s draft as it works to replace Ben Roethlisberger, who announced his retirement after this past season.

However, Kiper thinks one familiar name from around Pittsburgh likely won’t be available. He has Kenny Pickett going No. 11 overall to the Washington Commanders.

“[The Steelers are] picking at 20,” Kiper said Tuesday on ESPN’s Get Up. “Will Kenny Pickett from Pitt be there? I don’t think so. Malik Willis [from] Liberty? Could be there. Could fall in their lap at 20. They might not have to move up to get him. Matt Corral [out of] Ole Miss could certainly be there.

“You’ve got to trust your rankings, Greeny. That’s what you go back to, and I have Pickett right now at 19, Willis at 20, Corral at 27. So you think about top-10 rich for me, 20 is about where you start thinking about a quarterback in this draft.”

Mel Kiper Jr. releases second NFL mock draft with trades ahead of NFL Scouting Combine

1. Jacksonville Jaguars: NC State OT Ikem Ekwonu

2. Detroit Lions: Michigan DE Aidan Hutchinson

3. Houston Texans: Alabama OT Evan Neal

4. New York Jets: Notre Dame S Kyle Hamilton

5. New York Giants: Oregon DE Kayvon Thibodeaux

6. Carolina Panthers: Mississippi State OT Charles Cross

7. New York Giants (via CHI): Utah LB Devin Lloyd

8. Atlanta Falcons: Cincinnati CB Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner
PROJECTED TRADE: Browns move up, swap with Broncos

9. Cleveland Browns (via DEN): USC WR Drake London

10. New York Jets (via SEA): Iowa C Tyler Linderbaum

11. Washington Commanders: Pittsburgh QB Kenny Pickett

12. Minnesota Vikings: LSU CB Derek Stingley Jr.

13. Denver Broncos (via CLE): Florida State DE Jermaine Johnson II
PROJECTED TRADE: Saints move up, swap with Ravens

14. New Orleans Saints (via BAL): Ohio State WR Garrett Wilson

15. Philadelphia Eagles (via MIA): Washington CB Trent McDuffie

16. Philadelphia Eagles (via IND): Michigan OLB David Ojabo

17. Los Angeles Chargers: Georgia DE Travon Walker

18. Baltimore Ravens (via NO): Northern Iowa OT Trevor Penning

19. Philadelphia Eagles: Arkansas WR Treylon Burks

20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Liberty QB Malik Willis

21. New England Patriots: Penn State DE Arnold Ebiketie

22. Las Vegas Raiders: Georgia ILB Nakobe Dean

23. Arizona Cardinals: Ohio State WR Chris Olave

24. Dallas Cowboys: Purdue DE George Karlaftis

25. Buffalo Bills: Georgia DT Devonte Wyatt

26. Tennessee Titans: Penn State WR Jahan Dotson

27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Boston College OG/C Zion Johnson

28. Green Bay Packers: Alabama WR Jameson Williams

29. Miami Dolphins (via SF): Central Michigan OT Bernhard Raimann

30. Kansas City Chiefs: Minnesota OLB Boye Mafe

31. Cincinnati Bengals: Washington CB Kyler Gordon

32. Detroit Lions (via LAR): Ole Miss QB Matt Corral