Ranking the Steelers draft picks from worst to best in 2022

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.