The Steelers left the draft after selecting seven players that carry different opinions with them heading into training camp.
The Steelers just finished their draft process by completing the 2022 NFL Draft. This past weekend saw Pittsburgh stand pat with their seven selections and taking some interesting options. They took mostly offensive players as they look to strengthen that group.
2022 saw some interesting prospects stay on the board when it was time for the black and gold to select in each round. They decided to go quarterback in round one with Kenny Pickett, which surprised some. They also found some great values on day two before rounding out day three with some depth additions.
It was a fun weekend seeing all these former collegiate players have their dreams recognized as they got selected by an NFL team. Undrafted free agents will not be included on this list, as we will stick to the actual selections. Being the worst on this list does not necessarily mean that they will not succeed, but it does mean it was puzzling why they were picked for different reasons.
Steelers worst pick was Chris Oladokun (Round 7, pick 241)
Chris Oladokun was the last pick made by Kevin Colbert as the acting General Manager of the Steelers in his last draft class. It was a selection that was somewhat of a headscratcher. They already selected a quarterback at that point and had three viable options on the roster.
Perhaps something is going on with Mason Rudolph that is not known to the public yet, perhaps a trade request was put in. Otherwise, this selection was just to bring a player onto the team as an extra arm for training camp and maybe use his mobility in practice squad scenarios. Just not great value with this selection, especially if he does not have a real shot to make this roster out of camp.
Connor Heyward (Round 6, pick 208) was a pick to boost morale for the Steelers
Connor Heyward is the little brother of legendary Steelers player, Cam Heyward. Most people have become well known of this information ever since this player was selected. Many figured that this fullback would be joining the team one way or another throughout this draft process.
Many different mock drafts had this player going to Pittsburgh. The black and gold loves football families and keeping brothers on the same team. It was a nice feeling knowing that this player will be playing professional football with his big brother. That is really the only benefit from this pick that does not involve filling needs.
This Michigan State product played a bunch of different positions during his time in that program. He moved around from running back to a full back option. He also played some tight end as well to create other mismatches against opposing defenses. He is a decent player, but he could have likely been selected later or signed as an undrafted free agent.
The team already has this player on their roster with Derek Watt. They both play the same position and have the same ability on special teams. They will likely battle it out for a roster spot unless Heyward can show some abilities as a blocker coming up to the line as a tight end in some looks.
Mark Robinson (Round 7, pick 225) fills a need for competition at depth linebacker for this roster
Mark Robinson was selected based on his upside as a prospect. He is a speedy guy that is very new to the position after transitioning from running back during his time at Ole Miss. He still has a lot to learn and some seasoning that needs to be earned, but he is a good bet in round seven.
That late in the draft process leads to many players being selected based on potential and their projected abilities to perform on special teams. Robinson should be able to get downhill fast and cover kicks well. That will give him an advantage in camp as he battles for one of the depth spots on the roster.
This guy has a good work ethic that showed well during his time at college. He was able to turn a walk-on opportunity into a starting spot for the Rebels defense. He changed positions and worked hard to become a draftable player in 2022.
He will need a lot of work at the next level as his development needs to continue with coaching, luckily Brian Flores has a history of developing players at his position. This is a project, and he could always be cut and never brought back. He is worth that gamble in the seventh round with some potential that could be tapped into.
Kenny Pickett (Round 1, pick 20) will have to prove his value as time goes along
Kenny Pickett was a bit of a surprise when he was selected by the Steelers on night one. Many of the quarterbacks slipped in the draft and that caused Pittsburgh to have their choice of the crop when their selection came around in the first round. They went with Pickett, who most talent evaluators saw as the most NFL ready in this class.
Not too many people had been mocking this former Panther to the black and gold leading up to the draft recently. Malik Willis was the popular pick and many thought that was the name they were going to hear at 20 with him available. They went with the local product and many fans either loved or hated this pick.
This signal-caller is the most NFL-ready, but he also does not seem to have much more upside to his game. That could be a problem as his age is starting to get up there for a rookie quarterback entering the league. He will challenge for the starting spot immediately alongside Mitch Trubisky and Mason Rudolph.
Quarterback is a position that has always been a gamble no matter which prospect you take. Some are heralded as the next franchise talent but then fizzle out of the league as a bust and others are diamonds in the rough. It all depends on how the prospect adjusts to the NFL level and how quickly they can figure things out. Pickett was the safest pick in this class and could help keep the team in contention for a long time if he works out.
Calvin Austin III (Round 4, pick 138) was great value in the fourth round
Calvin Austin III was the Steelers fourth-round selection and was praised by most talent evaluators. He is a shifty and fast guy that plays primarily in the slot, with an option to play outside as well. He filled a need that the team desperately needed to add to heading into this draft.
They added Austin and another weapon as well, but they got two separate types of players that should complement each other well in this offense. The departing of JuJu Smith-Schuster, James Washington, and Ray-Ray McCloud left the receiving group in shambles. They lost a starter and two big-depth players on the roster.
By adding Austin, they got someone that can start on day one and add an element of speed to the receiving spot that has been missing for a long time. This guy can fly on grass fields and that will allow for things to open up more. He is undersized and that will worry some as well.
Fans might have some concerns about this prospect becoming the next Dri Archer, but that could not be further from the truth. He has been an established receiver during his time at Memphis and has also been added to the special team’s department as well. He can be an electric playmaker for this team and add a new fold into the offense.
DeMarvin Leal (Round 3, pick 84) was a steal in the third round of the draft
DeMarvin Leal was tremendous value in the third round of the NFL Draft. Many had expected him to go in the second round of the draft at the latest, but he slipped a good amount past his projection. The Steelers reaped the benefits and got this defensive lineman that could turn into the next Stephon Tuitt.
The unknowns of the returning defensive line had too many question marks for this team to pass up the position in the draft. They got more security here by adding Leal, who could become the starter if Tuitt does not return. Getting this player here was just something many different scouts did not expect to happen.
The defensive line could become even better if both Tuitt and Tyson Alualu return with the same type of abilities that they had when they left. That would allow for the depth at the position to be very strong. It would also help the trenches to be secured and become one of the best in the NFL.
This was one of the best value selections in the draft, including when you single out the Steelers. He has all the athleticism in the world and has shown the ability to be productive in the tough SEC, which is one of the best conferences in college football. He fits the frame that the team looks for, but it seems like he will need to add some more weight to complete his transition to the defense.
George Pickens (Round 2, pick 52) was the best selection by the Steelers in the 2022 draft
George Pickens could become the biggest steal of the entire NFL Draft of 2022. Many thought of him as a potential first-round prospect before he tore his ACL and missed the majority of this past college football season. He did play some during the stretch run of 2021 and helped the Georgia Bulldogs secure a National Championship.
This is an explosive receiver that will help this offense make life a little easier on these quarterbacks. He is a great player at the point of attack and can get behind corners. His biggest concern will be how his injury affected him since he returned to football recently.
He seems to be just fine, and the Steelers medical team seemed confident in taking this player as well from a health standpoint. Pickens is a player that could really develop into a star in this league if his red flags check out. Pittsburgh had a first-round grade on this player and thought he was the best receiver in the class before he got injured.
That is a high compliment, especially with how deep and talented the receivers in this draft crop were. He not only provides options for starting this year, but he also gives the team some more receivers on the roster past this season. They need to figure out if they want to re-sign Diontae Johnson or not, this player will provide security in case they decide not to.
The Steelers made a lot of quality picks in the 2022 NFL Draft this past weekend. Even though the majority of their draft was decent, they also made some picks that don’t make a ton of sense either.