3 Pittsburgh Steelers rookies that will contribute the most in 2022

Pittsburgh Steelers rookie no. 1: Kenny Pickett, QB (1st round)

Was there really any doubt here?

The Pittsburgh Steelers took a page out of the New England Patriots 2021 NFL Draft guide when they stayed put at pick no. 20 overall, didn’t panic and wound up getting the QB they felt was the best fit for their organization from this year’s draft.

Demand for QBs in the 2022 NFL Draft was at seemingly an all-time low.

I can’t recall a QB1 going lower in an NFL Draft than Pickett landing at no. 20 overall.

EJ Manuel being the QB1 of the 2013 NFL Draft at pick no. 16 is the closest in recent history, anyway.

Where Kenny Pickett was selected matters very little compared to where he was drafted, if you catch my drift.

Pickett landed in a very good situation with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he will have Najee Harris to get the ball to at least 300 times this season as well as a stellar core of skill players featuring Diontae Johnson, Chase Claypool, and fellow rookies George Pickens and Calvin Austin.

Not to mention, Pat Freiermuth really established himself last year as one of the top young tight ends in the game.

There will be no shortage of weapons for Pickett to spread the ball to in his rookie season, the question is — can he beat Mitchell Trubisky for a starting job?

I think that’s got to be the expectation when you use a first-round pick on a quarterback, but time will tell.

Pickett had a tremendous season in 2021 at Pitt, contending for most of the year as a Heisman candidate.

He didn’t end up winning, obviously, but Pickett can distribute the ball well and he’s an underrated athlete.

Considering the amount of pressure on him is minimal compared to players taken in the top 10 of the Draft at the QB position, I feel like he’s poised for plenty of early impact as an NFL signal-caller.