Are the Steelers top-3 NFL Draft options all quarterbacks?

Steelers No.2 option: QB Kenny Pickett

If I were to take a peek inside the Steelers war room, I wouldn’t be surprised to find a big board that has Kenny Pickett just behind Malik Willis. As an older prospect, Pickett doesn’t check quite as many boxes Pittsburgh typically looks for in a first-round pick as Willis does, but he is very much on their draft radar.

In fact, I would go as far as to say that he’s the consolation prize Colbert can’t come away with Malik Willis this April. Pickett doesn’t have the same arm talent as Willis, but he’s perhaps the most pro-ready of the group, and the team would have the option of turning to him earlier if Mitch Trubisky flops in Pittsburgh.

In addition, Pickett is a good athlete in his own right and he had perhaps the best quarterback season in college football in 2021. He showed tremendous growth this year and the ability to really rally the troops and command that Pitt offense.

It doesn’t hurt that Pickett is a local prospect who is very familiar with the Steelers coaching staff and has already spent five years playing at Heinz Field. Still, there are other teams like the Panthers, Commanders, and Falcons who showed a lot of interest in Pickett at his Pro Day, and Pittsburgh may also need to trade up in order to secure him in the NFL Draft.