The Steelers and the 2022 Draft

No, I will not even try to tell you how the Steelers "did in the draft."  (A) I have no idea about any of these players, and (B) none of them have taken a single snap  against NFL competition, and it is then and only then, and probably not until 2024 or -25, that we will find out how the 2022 Draft aided the Steelers.

We all know that Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett was the Number 1 pick.  That's great and very exciting, and it you missed my thoughts on that selection at the time, here it is.

We don't really know what kind of pro QB Pickett is going to be, but based on what we have seen of him in five years at Pitt, there is plenty of reasons to be optimistic, and if he becomes a very good QB, or, dare I say it, a "franchise quarterback", for Rooney U for the next 10-12 years, then the 2022 Draft will be deemed an A+ Draft for the Steelers, regardless of what those other six draftees do.

About those other six guys.  The Steelers drafted.....

• Two wide receivers, George Pickens and Calvin Austin.  A definite need.  If they can play.
• A defensive end, DeMarvin Leal.  Cam Heyward is now 33 years old, and who knows what's up with Stephan Tuitt, so, yes, there is a need at this position.  If he can play.
• A combo tight end/fullback, Conner Heyward.  Could this brother combo spell the dissolution of another Steelers brothers set, TJ and Derek Watt?  If he can play.
• A linebacker, Mark Robinson.  Devin Bush, we hardly knew ye.  If he can play.
• Another quarterback, Chris Oladukun.  A very curious choice in light of the selection of Pickett in the first round.  Why would they select a second quarterback in the same draft?  No one is asking that question more, I guess, than Mason Rudolph.  Surely, the Steelers would not spend a draft choice, or "draft capital" as is the current buzz word,  just to acquire a training camp arm, so they must think that he can contribute.  If he can play.

Notice a common theme above?  We have to see if these guys are capable of playing and contributing on Sundays.  That process begins soon with the mini-camps and then back at St. Vincent's in July.

One commodity that the Steelers didn't draft was an offensive lineman, the position that most people felt was the teams greatest need.  Now they did address that with some free agent signings prior to the draft, and maybe they'll find a gem among the undrafted free agents that they signed after the draft.  Still, protecting Pickett and Mitch Trubisky, and opening holes for Najee Harris, still seems to be the second biggest question mark - after who will be the quarterback - as they head into training camp.

Finally, did you all see the full page ad that Kenny Pickett posted in last Sunday's sports section?   He certainly has been saying and doing all of the right things since he became a Steeler, which, come to think about it, was exactly the way he handled himself during his years at Pitt.  Here it is in case you missed it.