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With the 2021 NFL Draft ending last week, there have already been numerous way-too-early 2022 mock drafts released, and most have the Steelers selecting a quarterback in the first round being that Ben Roethlisberger is 39 years old and this season is expected to be his last. Todd McShay of ESPN has the Steelers selecting Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder at 16th overall in his 2022 mock draft.
Mike Renner of Pro Football Focus is the latest to release a 2022 mock draft and he has the Steelers selecting USC quarterback Kedon Slovis at 13th overall. Since Renner has the Steelers projected to pick at No. 13, it would mean that the Steelers would have their first losing season since 2003.
"Slovis had an up and down sophomore year after an outstanding true freshman campaign," Renner wrote. "He doesn’t quite have the arm of some others in this class, but he’s been one of the most accurate quarterbacks in the class for two years running."
Renner has four quarterbacks being selected before the Steelers pick at No. 13. with the Texans picking Oklahoma's Spencer Rattler at No. 1, the Lions selecting North Carolina's Sam Howell at No. 2, the Eagles picking Flordia's Emory Jones No. 6 and the Giants selecting Liberty's Malik Willis at No. 11.
In Slovis' career, he has completed 459 of 656 passes (70.0%) for 5,423 yards with 47 touchdowns and 16 interceptions. Slovis has a 12-5 record as a starter, including 12-2 against the Pac-12.