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2022 NFL Mock Draft: Jets Defense Rebuilt In 3-Round Projection

By Christopher Thomas

BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA - SEPTEMBER 18: Derek Stingley Jr. #7 of the LSU Tigers warms up prior to a game against the Central Michigan Chippewas at Tiger Stadium on September 18, 2021 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA - SEPTEMBER 18: Derek Stingley Jr. #7 of the LSU Tigers warms up prior to a game against the Central Michigan Chippewas at Tiger Stadium on September 18, 2021 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /
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Pitt QB Kenny Pickett. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
Pitt QB Kenny Pickett. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /

16. Pittsburgh Steelers: Kenny Pickett, Quarterback, Pittsburgh

Barring a blockbuster trade that lands Pittsburgh a quarterback they need to take one during the first round of the 2022 NFL Mock Draft. Despite their offensive limitations from starting a 39-year-old quarterback and protecting him with an underwhelming offensive line, the Steelers have been able to stay afloat and are considered a potential playoff team in the wide-open AFC.

It appears that past this season the Steelers are expected to have a quarterback competition between Mason Rudolph and former 2019 first-round pick Dwayne Haskins to determine the starter for next season. It is hard to believe that a general manager and head coach as smart and experienced as Kevin Colbert and Mike Tomlin believes either of them could be the team’s long-term answer at quarterback. If they did then they should pay attention to the New Orleans Saints are showing this season that just because a quarterback was a backup to a future Hall of Famer doesn’t mean he is the team’s answer to the position long-term.

The Steelers find themselves in an extremely ideal situation in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft. They can pick from multiple quarterbacks here. It feels like Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett would be a great fit for what the Steelers need at quarterback right now. For starters, he is currently playing his college football in the same city they reside in. The Steelers should have the most access to Pickett and his coaches this offseason when evaluating him. On top of that, Pickett has emerged over the last couple of weeks as the most pro-ready quarterback in this year’s draft class. He may not have the highest ceiling of the quarterbacks in this year’s class, but Pickett could be trusted to start for Pittsburgh as soon as week one similar to how Mac Jones has been the starter for New England all season.

There are some negatives the Steelers will have to live with if they draft Pickett in the first round. On top of his moderate ceiling, he will be 24 years old by the start of next season. For perspective, he is a year older than Trevor Lawerence, Zach Wilson, and Justin Fields. Pickett is two year’s older than Trey Lance. However, drafting an older quarterback isn’t awful both Joe Burrow and Mac Jones were considered older quarterbacks in their respective draft classes.

It may be shocking to see Pittsburgh pass on a talent like Malik Willis for Pickett. But Pickett is the safer pick at quarterback for a team that believes that is trying to win now rather than develop a rookie quarterback.

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