The Pittsburgh Steelers still hold their second and third-round picks and will need to address some needs after selecting Kenny Pickett on night one.
The Steelers first-round pick of 2022 is a known commodity in the town of Pittsburgh. Kenny Pickett is the player that they believe will be the next franchise quarterback for the club. He has the highest floor of any quarterback in this class, but he does bring some concerns with his game as well.
He is the most pro-ready and that is what seemed to attract the black and gold the most. Now that night one is over, it is time to move on to the second day of the draft. Rounds two and three will take place tonight as some big names in this group of prospects are still available.
Honorable mentions
Alec Pierce, WR, Cincinnati
Alec Pierce starts off our honorable mentions list, which is quite lengthy. This wideout has some nice size to his game and has some blazing speed for a big target. The Steelers will also like the fact that he only turns 22 in a couple of days.
Andrew Booth Jr., CB, Clemson
Andrew Booth Jr. is a first-round talent that has dropped to the second round. He would be great value for Pittsburgh, but he should be long gone before they pick.
Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia
Nakobe Dean was another player that the top brass showed interest in the pre-draft process. He is a nice speedy linebacker that could help add depth to that room.
David Ojabo, EDGE, Michigan
David Ojabo was projected to go in the first round before he tore his Achilles at his pro day. That was a devastating injury, but he would be of tremendous value in the second round if his health is heading on the right path.
Danny Gray, WR, SMU
Danny Gray is another receiver option that could get a look in either the second or third round. It seems likely that the Steelers will probably come out of tonight with another receiver added to their roster. They like to draft at the position during this portion of the event.
There are some issues for Pittsburgh that could be a problem tonight. Receivers are flying off the draft boards as many teams want to get some of these playmakers coming out. This is one of the deepest classes at the position and has been touted by many scouts.
Gray is a player that has gotten a lot of interest from the team. He is a very fast receiver that could have shown more production during his time at SMU. He seems like a perfect fit into this offense, despite their obvious need for a slot receiver.
The Steelers also sent their wide receivers coach to his pro day to get an up-close look. The third round would be a better value pick, but that might not be a realistic option in this draft. Taking him in the second round could be a bit of a reach. They might have to overdraft him in round two if receivers continue to fly off boards.
Roger McCreary, CB, Auburn
Roger McCreary is someone that has been connected to the Steelers in many mock drafts. It makes a ton of sense despite the team signing Ahkello Witherspoon and Levi Wallace to new deals. They need some more youth, depth, and stability for the position’s future.
They have been getting younger by moving on from some aging veterans in the offseason. Now they need some players that will be under contract for the future and not just for the next couple of seasons. Getting a corner here like this prospect would secure that.
Many have compared this player to Steven Nelson and that would be fair. This guy is sticky in coverage and is consistent. He is not the fastest, but his technique allows him to be confident in his press-man coverage abilities.
This would be a nice value pick at 32 and someone that could become a starter sooner rather than later. Having two capable veterans already on the team will take the pressure off any young draft pick entering the room. McCreary could even push for a starting spot in case Wallace and Witherspoon do not turn out as well as the team hopes.
Skyy Moore, WR, Western Michigan
Skyy Moore is someone that would be another local addition to the Steelers in this draft. They got Kenny Pickett from the University of Pittsburgh last night and Moore could be another option in round two. He is a slot receiver from a MAC school, and the team has a ton of history with drafting in round two.
He went to college at Western Michigan after playing for Shadyside Academy. He is originally from New Kensington, PA., which is just about 30 minutes away from the Steel City. This would be another cool story of another local product playing for the hometown team.
He is a shifty receiver that has been productive after transitioning to the position. He was the best player at Western Michigan over the last couple of years and still has growth in his game. He could be an impact starter on day one and bring some unique skillsets to this offense.
The biggest issue will be if Moore is still available at pick 52 when Pittsburgh selects. With the way his position is being taken right now, he might be long gone. This would be another welcomed addition on day two, despite the team not showing too much interest in the pre-draft process.
DeMarvin Leal, DE, Texas A&M
DeMarvin Leal will get some attention on day two of the draft for the Steelers. The team has not been able to address their defensive line depth for years and they need to add some high pedigree youth into the trenches. Allowing for them to develop and learn behind the starters is something Pittsburgh likes to do.
There are still a bunch of question marks surrounding some different starters and what kind of players they will be like returning to the team. Tyson Alualu is getting older, and Stephon Tuitt has been out of football for a year. Tuitt is the biggest question mark as many still do not know if he will be coming back to the club or not.
Taking a defensive lineman seems like a real possibility, especially if the draft falls a certain way tonight. If there are a bunch of receivers taken before their pick. Leal might be the fallback option. He is young and has a big upside to his game, while also showing good promise in his game.
The black and gold were at his pro day and kept close attention to him. They sent their defensive line coach there and that could speak volumes. He would be a tremendous value in the third round but would likely have to be a second-round selection.
George Pickens, WR, Georgia
George Pickens has borderline first-round talent and could have been selected on night one. The run-on receivers stopped before this Georgia product was selected. He was limited in action during his college days due to injuries and that might have caused his draft stock to dip some.
There are other rumors that he has some red flags, nothing terrible by reports, but some issues that a couple of teams do not like. That could dissuade many clubs, but Pittsburgh has dealt with its fair share of egos throughout its history. This could be an option if Pickens somehow fell all the way to pick 52.
There was a ton of interest shown by the club during the pre-draft process. They would love to get him with pick 52, but there will be many teams interested as well. He will likely go sometime before pick 40 tonight and it will be great value for whichever franchise selects him.
Receiver is something that the black and gold desperately want to address tonight, and they will try their best to do so. This former Bulldog might not play a bunch of slot reps, but he is an explosive playmaker. He finds ways to keep an offense moving the ball downfield and that is something Pittsburgh’s offense needs.
Jaquan Brisker, S, Penn State
Jaquan Brisker is another local prospect that is from the Pittsburgh area. He graduated from Gateway High school before he moved on to become a great safety at Penn State. He has traveled a windy road before he got to the point that he is currently at.
His time as a starter with the Nittany Lions has been very productive. Brisker was also a big leader for that defense during his collegiate days. He now waits on day two so that he can finally hear his name called. It would make sense for the Steelers to select this player at pick 52 if he were still there.
He is talented enough to garner first-round grades and could still improve his game. Terrell Edmunds was just re-signed, but that was only to a one-year contract. The team needs security at the position with a long-term answer at the strong safety spot. We also know that the black and gold sent over a large contingent to the Penn State pro day to watch him. They did the same with Pat Freiermuth last year.
Getting a player like this would allow him to earn a starting spot and be brought along slowly. Edmunds can start while Brisker learns the playbook and gets adjusted to the NFL. He will become an upgrade over Edmunds in time and allow for a great safety duo with Minkah Fitzpatrick.
The Steelers decided to go with the only quarterback taken in the first round. This draft still has a ton of talented players that will interest the club on night two of the event.