2022 NFL Draft Review: Pittsburgh Steelers

 

All recaps come from NFL.com

RD 1 (20) Kenny Pickett QB (Pittsburgh)  6'3" 217

2017: 4GP/1GS, 39/66 509yds (59.1%) 1TD/1INT, 26att/98yds

2018: 14/14, 180/310 1,969yds (58.1%) 12TDs/6INTs, 117att/220yds 3TDs

2019: 12/12, 289/469 3,098yds (61.6%) 13TDs/9INTs, 95att/110yds 2TDs

2020: 9/9, 203/332 2,408yds (61.1%) 13TDs/9INTs, 81att/145yds 8TDs

2021: 13/13  334/497 4,319yds (67.2%) 42TDs/7INTs, 241 rush yds/5TDs,  ACC POY/OPOY, 2nd All-American, Heisman Finalist

Combine: 4.73s 40, 33.5" vert

Strengths: In a passing scheme that required full-field reads. Good recognition and decisions on combo-route throws to all levels. Worked with improved anticipation and tight spiral into windows. Velocity to stay ahead of closing coverage. Able to extend the play and win on the move with his arm. Arm talent to make off-platform throws. Elusiveness to escape a free runner and scramble for yards.

Weaknesses: Nervous feet and poise can get the best of him despite clean pockets. Feet don't always follow his eyes when throwing. Poor placement and touch added to drop issues. Better timing would prevent contested catches. Doesn't throw with much of an expedited release. Needs to take the incompletion instead of the sack.

Score: 6.40 (Will become a good starter within 2 years)  Next Gen: 84 (good)

Comp: Andy Dalton (prime years)

RD 2 (52) George Pickens WR (Georgia) 6'3" 195

2019: 12GP, 49rec/727yds, 8TDs

2020: 8GP, 36rec/513yds, 6TDs

2021: 4GP, 5rec/107yds (Played last 4 games)

Combine: 4.47s 40, 33"vert

Strengths: Off-hand & burst help defeat and overtake press. Creates throwing windows with suddenness at break points. Displays good focus in catching in a crowd. Catches with sudden hands and elite catch radius. Vice-grip hand strength rarely lets him down. 

Weaknesses: Effectiveness can be diminished by physical press. Leaves coverage unstacked when he gets the ear;y advantage. Needs to learn to carve out & protect his catch space. Allows trespassers to tilt 50/50 balls in their favor. Missed time to injury, including a spring '21 ACL tear.

Score: 6.23 (Will eventually become an average starter) Next Gen: 78 (Good)

Comp: Josh Reynolds  

RD 3 (84) DeMarvin Leal DT (Texas A&M) 6'4" 290

2019: 12GP, 38tck/5.5TFLs, 2scks

2020: 10GP, 37tckl/7TFLs, 2.5scks, 1INT, 1FF

2021: 1st AP All-American/1st All-SEC, 11GP, 58tckls/12.5TFLs, 8.5scks, 2PDs

Combine: 5.00s 40, 27.5"vert

Strengths: Lands hands quickly with initial strike. Hands & feet work well together. Hips and shoulder-turn to entice whiffed blocks. Uses one-arm press to lift & separate. Ability to toggle between finesse and power. Spin counter is quick and well-balanced. 

Weaknesses: Lacks clear-cut position fit. Late getting lateral versus zone blocks. Pass rush lacks suddenness to put blocker in a bind. Disappointing acceleration as a looper on tackle/end twists. Gradual closing burst turns would-be sacks into hurries.

Score: 6.23 (Will eventually be an average starter) Next Gen: 78 (Good)

Comp: John Franklin-Myers 

RD 4 (138) Calvin Austin III WR (Memphis) 5'8" 170

2018: 4GP, 2rec/24yds, 1att/83yds 1TD

2019: 9GP, 17rec/315yds 3TDs, 4att/3yds 1TD

2020: 1st All-AAC, 11GP, 63rec/1,053yds 11TDs, 2att/14yds, 20 punt returns/1TD

2021: 1st All-AAC, 12GP, 74rec/1,149yds 8TDs, 1att/69yds 1TD, 5 punt returns/1TD

Combine: 4.32s 40, 39"vert

Strengths: Quick stem and release versus press. Feet are fluid & fast throughout the route. Gliding speed surprises the coverage. Reads the defense in scramble situations and finds open grass. Speed to eliminate tackle angles after the catch. Jitter-and-go punt return talent.

Weaknesses: Can be knocked off route path by physical coverage. Badly beaten when competing for 50/50 throws. Needs to create a cleaner catch window as a pro. Quickly tackled with modest effort by defenders. Bad habit of fielding punts inside the 5-yard line.

Score: 6.00 (Talent or traits to be an above-average backup) Next Gen: 72(Average)

Comp: Isaiah McKenzie

RD 6 (208) Connor Heyward TE (Michigan St.) 5'11" 233

2017: 3att/10yds, 4rec/13yds 1TD

2018: 118att/529yds 5TDs, 32rec/249yds

2019: 24att/79yds, 7rec/52yds 1TD

2020: 65att/200yds, 18rec/71yds 2TDs

2021: Honorable All-BIG 10, 35rec/326yds 2TDs, 1att/7yds

Combine: 4.72s 40, 32.5"vert

Strengths: Former RB provides potential run & catch versatility. Hands are natural, strong & quick. RB instincts and acceleration as a target in the screen game. Accelerates quickly and finishes powerfully after the catch. Experience with punt coverage & kick returns.

Weaknesses: One-speed route runner. Minimal depth of target as a college pass-catcher. Requires additional control and technique as a blocker. Lacks coordination of hands & feet at the point of attack. Missing length & mass to control an NFL defender.

Score: 5.60 (Candidate for the bottom of the roster or Practice Squad) Next Gen: 61 (Below-Average)

RD 7 (225) Mark Robinson (Mississippi) 5'11" 235

2021: (1st Year at LB) 91 total tckls, 3scks

RD 7 (241) Chris Oladokun QB (South Dakota St) 6'1" 213

2017 (USF): 1/1 12yds, 1stt/1yd

2018 (USF): 22/44 285yds 3TDs/1INT, 25att/19yds

2021 (S.Dak): Honorable All-MVC, 238/384 3,164yds (62%) 25TDs/7INTs, 73att/166yds 2TDs, 2rec/32yds 2TDs

Strengths: Possesses NFL arm talent and an expedited release. Deep throws come out without much effort. Throws with confidence when he's on the move. Shows ability to sit down & drive throws into windows. Pocket mobility buys additional time to search for throws.

Weaknesses: Gets stuck on one side of the field with his reads. Coverage recognition can be a problem. Ball placement on intermediate throws need work.

Score: 5.69 (Chance to make the bottom of the roster or Practice Squad)