3 most likely teams Commanders can trade back with in 2022 NFL Draft

The 2022 NFL Draft is right around the corner and Washington Commanders fans can hardly contain their excitement. The hope is the front office is currently narrowing down what to do in the first round, but it’s likely to be a drawn-out process given their expected abundance of options at pick No. 11 overall.

The majority of fans would like to see a receiver taken with the pick, but the Commanders shouldn’t pigeonhole themselves into any corners. Depending on how the first 10 picks unfold, a cornerback or safety could be in play.

Who knows? If some of their biggest crushes are off the board they could shock everyone and trade back in the first round. It’s not a popular strategy, but we’ve noticed some fans talking themselves into the idea in recent weeks.

In one of the deepest draft classes in recent memory, wouldn’t it make sense for Washington to move down a few picks and stockpile more ammunition?

If Washington can maintain a high draft pick this year, recoup the third-rounder surrendered in the Carson Wentz trade and maybe add an additional third or second to boot, they’d have no choice  but to consider it.

Here are three teams who could help bring that scenario to life.

3 teams Commanders can trade back with in 2022 NFL Draft

3. Pittsburgh Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers appear to be one of at least a handful of teams who are considering drafting a quarterback in the first round. While they could change course and a select a player at a different position, their Pro Day meetings, Mike Tomlin-arranged dinners and top-30 prospect visits point to them taking a QB.

Despite signing Mitchell Trubisky in free agency, GM Kevin Colbert seems hell-bent on finding Pittsburgh a franchise quarterback in his final draft.

The Steelers are as easy to read as any team in the NFL when it comes to the draft. In a vacuum, they do’t draft players whom they don’t meet with throughout the pre-draft process. As of April 8, they’ve met with Matt Corral, Desmond Ridder, Kenny Pickett, Malik Willis, Sam Howell, Carson Strong and Chris Oladokun.

If we were the Commanders, we’d look to exploit Colbert’s desperation. At No. 20 overall, Pittsburgh could hold its ground and still net a top prospect. That could be a pretty risky maneuver, however, as the latest buzz indicates as many as four QBs could come off the board within the first 20 picks.

Say the Steelers are high on Ridder, who’s ascended up draft boards since the Combine and is viewed as a candidate to be drafted in the top half of Round 1.

If they don’t want to run the risk of a team ahead of them taking Ridder, the Commanders could swoop in as their saving grace.