Steelers mock draft: 5 first-round targets for Pittsburgh

Steelers could target QB Kenny Pickett

I have an odd feeling that the stars are going to align for Kenny Pickett to stay in Pittsburgh and be the quarterback of the future for this team. However, with the current rate of his trajectory, it’s possible that Pickett plays himself out of the Steelers range in the 2022 NFL Draft.

This is something I never thought I would be saying just a few months ago. Over the past four seasons, Pickett flashed at times for Pitt, but never really looked like an NFL quarterback until now. It’s rare we see a player make such a big jump so late in their collegiate careers. However, his spectacular redshirt-senior season has some comparing him to former first overall pick, Joe Burrow.

Pickett doesn’t have the biggest arm in the world, but he has been spectacular at making plays down the field. Pickett is also an expert at getting outside of the pocket and extending the play — a trait that is incredibly important for today’s NFL.

The Steelers will need a new franchise quarterback in a bad way after this season, and Ben Roethlisberger is likely done after 2021. Pickett has good size and checks all of the boxes Pittsburgh looks for, and I’m sure they will have scouts on hand to see him often leading up to the draft.