With the Steelers draft class wrapped up, here is a bold prediction for each of the team’s seven draft picks.
The Steelers made seven selections in the draft, and while the initial reactions to the class seem to vary, there should be some early production from this group. While the odds that every pick pans out are unlikely, there is some reason to be excited about this group. Here is a bold prediction for every one of the Steelers seven draft picks.
Steelers Oladokun
A surprising pick to end the draft, Chris Oladokun is a fun player to watch from a small school. That said, the odds of him making any sort of impact early is unlikely. In fact, he would be considered a long shot to even make the roster given the fact that he is comfortably the fourth quarterback on the roster right now.
Thus, the bold prediction for Oladokun’s rookie season is that he doesn’t only make the roster, but he claims the top backup spot. The Steelers clearly saw something that they liked in Oladokun as they weren’t willing to try and sign him as an undrafted rookie free agent. The quarterback room is an interesting one, and Oladokun finding a way to be the top backup would be something.
If the team’s top pick can comfortably claim the starting role and the Steelers try to move some of the other names, there is a chance that Oladokun could sneak his way higher up the depth chart. It’s a bold prediction for a reason, but if Oladonkun plays up to what the team seemed to like in him when they drafted him, he could end up surprising.
Steelers Robinson
Mark Robinson was a name that made sense for the Steelers. The team had a slew of coaches at the Ole Miss pro day and they later brought him in for a pre-draft visit. It makes sense why the team would take a risk on him. He was a running back before he became a linebacker, and in his first season there he flashed some potential even though he is still raw as a defender.
He enters a crowded linebacker room that features a lot of linebackers that share similar traits to Robinson. They have more experience though on both defense and special teams, which could lead to Robinson taking a red-shirt year on the practice squad. Even if he does make the roster, he will likely see more time on the inactive list than active on defense.
My bold prediction is that he beats out some of the lower names on the roster and earns a roster spot and a special team’s role. While Myles Jack and Devin Bush are certified starters and the team is comfortable with Robert Spillane as the third option, the rest of the board is lacking. Robinson claims the fourth spot on the depth chart, sees some sparse play on defense, and becomes a key figure on special teams.
Steelers Heyward
Another relatively surprising name, Connor Heyward found his way to the Steelers roster after being drafted in the sixth round. While the team’s interest in Heyward was obvious, most didn’t expect him to go in the sixth round. Add in the fact that the team already has an established fullback on the roster, and it will be curious what the perceived role will be for Heyward.
What he will benefit from is being a very versatile player. He is a better receiver and runner than Watt is, and he has the tenacity you want from a potential special teams player. While, in theory, he may be fighting for a roster spot, there seems to be a chance that the team keeps both. It wouldn’t be the first time, as the team kept Roosevelt Nix and William Johnson together on the roster.
Heyward’s bold prediction is that he becomes a true Swiss army knife for the Steelers offense. The team may only keep two tight ends and use Heyward as a hybrid offensive weapon. He has a Kyle Juszczyk-type of impact. He is an effective runner and receiver who becomes a sneaky weapon for this new-look offense.
Steelers Austin
A good value for when he was selected, Calvin Austin will be tasked with helping rebuild this Steelers receiving group. The team lost three of their top five weapons and did a good job of adding to this unit. Austin may not have a prominent role right away, but he can easily become a consistent weapon for this unit.
Austin is a small receiver, but he excels at winning with his speed and sharp route running. He was a go-to threat for Memphis and showed off his athleticism during the combine. While he has the speed to play along the outside, odds are he carves out a career in the slot. The team has a huge need there, and even if Chase Claypool plays some there, he can still be another threat for this group.
My bold prediction is that Austin has a Tyreek Hill-like rookie season. While he only put up around 850 total yards, he was an effective deep threat and runner with the ball in his hand. If he can get adjusted to the pro game quickly, he could carve out a role as a big-play threat. He has all of the tools to be a great slot weapon for the Steelers.
Steelers Leal
A name that I have gone back and forth on in terms of being a great pick, Demarvin Leal has a lot of limitations, but he excels at rushing the quarterback. Once seen as a potential top-10 pick in this draft, Leal followed through with an excellent season at getting after the quarterback. His run defense, on the other hand, was horrible and caused his stock to fall in the draft.
That said, the Steelers can still get him involved during his rookie season. While he likely shouldn’t be playing much in base defense, he can be a good designated interior pass rusher early in his career. Especially if a player like Stephon Tuitt doesn’t return, the team can get Leal active during passing downs.
My bold prediction is this: Leal both plays more snaps than Isaiahh Loudermilk did as a rookie and he records more sacks than Chris Wormley did in 2021. The playing time will likely hinge on Tuitt and the overall health of this line, but the sack numbers would be impressive. Important to remember, is that there is already a lot of pass-rushing talent on this line, so Leal would likely have a lot of one-on-one opportunities to get home. He could have a sneakily productive rookie season.
Steelers Pickens
My personal favorite pick from the draft, George Pickens is a first-round talent that got pushed to the second round for a variety of reasons. The main two stem from the ACL injury he suffered before his junior season (which made him miss almost all of that year) and the fact that this receiving class was extraordinarily deep. He was a great value in the mid-second round.
While the Steelers already have some intriguing starters, the expectation is for Pickens to make an impact right away. He will likely take most of his snaps at the Z spot (although he could be mixed into the X as well considering that is where he mostly played in Georgia) and should see a healthy dose of playing time.
For a bold prediction, I think Pickens will have a better rookie season than Chase Claypool did. While he will likely need a few weeks to get up to speed, I genuinely believe he was one of the best receivers in this class. If he establishes an early connection with whoever is throwing the ball, it could become a potent pairing. Claypool had a huge impact as a rookie, but I believe with Pickens being the superior talent, he ends 2022 as the best Steelers rookie receiver ever.
Steelers Pickett
Honestly, I had the most trouble finding a bold prediction for the Steelers top pick in Kenny Pickett. Saying he will start is far from bold, as Pickett was seen as the most pro-ready quarterback in the draft. While he does have some stiff competition, no one should be shocked to see Pickett set up to start early this season. That really should be the expectation.
On the flip side of things, I don’t see him playing horribly either, so I can’t predict that he flames out as a rookie. His floor is far too high to make me think that. Due to his limitations and the fact that he is a rookie, I also can’t say that he balls out. Truly, trying to create a bold prediction for Kenny Pickett has been a challenge.
My final choice is that having Pickett at the helm leads to the Steelers having a top-10 offense in the league. This isn’t entirely due to him, although his ability to extend plays will help out his case. The team has an improved offensive line, a great crew of receiving threats, and a good running back to help control the clock. Consistent play from Pickett makes this offense into one of the league’s better ones.
Will any of these bold predictions come true? Only time will tell, but I feel confident that some of these ideas won’t be that far off the mark. Keep these predictions in mind as the Steelers offseason processes and the 2022 season draws nearer.