How the 2022 NFL Draft changes the outlook for the Steelers this year

Apr 28, 2022; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Hall of Famer Franco Harris announces Pittsburgh quaterback Kenny Pickett as the twentieth overall pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft at the NFL Draft Theater. Mandatory Credit: Gary Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 28, 2022; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Hall of Famer Franco Harris announces Pittsburgh quaterback Kenny Pickett as the twentieth overall pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft at the NFL Draft Theater. Mandatory Credit: Gary Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

The Steelers began the 2022 NFL draft by selecting a QB in the first round and ended it in the same fashion

In what was the final draft of the tenure of long-time General Manager Kevin Colbert, the Steelers kicked it off by selecting a QB in the first round and closed it out by selecting a QB with our last pick of the seventh round.

While it remains to be seen how the 2022 draft class will be remembered, I think the question at hand is this:  Does the 2022 draft class change your outlook for the upcoming Steelers season? Perhaps it does, perhaps it does not.  I think it depends on what your perspective was prior to the draft.

For me, I don’t know that this draft class changes my outlook on the season all that much.  After free agency and prior to the draft, I was cautiously optimistic that we would be competitive.  Post-draft, I am still cautiously optimistic that we will be competitive.

The Steelers have high hopes for the 2022 draft class

I think it goes without saying that we have high hopes for the Steelers 2022 draft class.  That is not ‘earthshattering’ news.  We have high hopes for every draft class, but the fact that the 2002 draft was the first draft for both Colbert and Mike Tomlin without a franchise QB in place places additional emphasis and additional pressure on this draft class.

To take it a step further, if you look at the QBs who are currently on the Steelers roster, you have to ask yourself if there is a franchise QB among them.  I hope there is, but, again, we won’t know that until we start playing some ball.

If I had to predict who may be able to assume the mantle of leadership, as it were, I would be hard-pressed to do so.  We have two veteran QBs who are capable of being starters but do either of them possess the intangibles to become a franchise QB?

The ‘jury is out’ on the two rookie QBs.  I think Kenny Pickett may be the heir apparent to our former franchise QB, but since he has not yet taken a snap in an NFL game, who knows how he will respond under the pressure of live NFL action.

If you look at the rest of the draft class, I do think the Steelers drafted players who will be able to contribute but how much and to what extent remains to be seen. If all we get from this rookie class is one or two starters and some quality back-ups, I would say it will have been a good draft class, but, again, we won’t know that until the season ends.

So, with all we just discussed, has your outlook changed for the Steelers 2022 season?  For me, it comes down to this:  Does the 2022 Steelers roster as it is currently constructed ‘scream’ Super Bowl, or does it ‘scream’ mediocrity?

I’m sure some of you are excited for the season and believe this draft class will help us win a seventh Lombardi Trophy.  I share that excitement but I have lived through plenty of drafts over the forty-four years I have been a Steelers fan to know that a good draft class on paper does not manifest itself into a good draft class in reality.

I choose to be realistic and the reality, at least for me, is this:  I want this draft class to succeed and I want it to become a draft class for the ages, but I will temper my expectations until we strap on the helmets and lace up the cleats.

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