Pittsburgh Steelers: Kenny Pickett selection
The Pittsburgh Steelers are entering an odd season for them as they will be trying to replace one of the best quarterbacks they’ve ever had. Ben Roethlisberger has been with them since 2004 and finally decided to retire following the 2021 campaign.
While it was time for him to hang it up, it’s still a tough thing for a team to try and turn the page. Pittsburgh, to their credit, has tried to prepare themselves. They drafted Josh Dobbs and Mason Rudolph over the past several years but neither proved to be the heir apparent.
That’s why they added Mitchell Trubisky in free agency and used their first-round pick on Kenny Pickett, who played collegiately at Pitt. The two will battle it out and while Pickett could end up being a starter, it doesn’t feel like this was the best selection for the Steelers.
Not only was Pickett the only quarterback taken in Round 1, but there were no other signal-callers taken until Round 3. With the position not being a premium in 2022, it might have been more prudent to wait — especially when the drop-off between Pickett and the next two taken — Desmond Ridder and Malik Willis — weren’t that far and they both arguably have higher ceilings.
Instead, they would have been much better off rolling with Trubisky — who will likely lead them to similar heights as Pickett — and seeing if they could land a better option next year.