2022 NFL Draft: Offensive line dominates top five in 2022 NFL Mock Draft
By Kyle Edmond
16. Pittsburgh Steelers (TRADE via PHI through IND): Kenny Picket, QB, Pitt
55. Pick Analysis. player. 16. Scouting Report. QB. Pittsburgh. Kenny Pickett
Having back-to-back picks, the Philadelphia Eagles have the ability to get their guy at 15 and then move back from 16 to acquire more assets, which is what they do here. As for Pittsburgh, their quarterback situation is up in the air and with Kenny Pickett falling, they decide to jump up over the New Orleans Saints to take him in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft.
Starting with Pittsburgh, the Steelers have Mason Rudolph and Dwayne Haskins rostered so there’s a chance that Pittsburgh stands pat with what they have for the 2022 season. They could also try and trade for a one-year player to buy some time, perhaps someone like Derek Carr. But with Pickett falling, it’s hard to ignore.
The Steelers have had some success with players from Pitt recently in James Conner. Pickett has shown his ability inside Heinz Field and should be a first round pick. However, it might not be enough to go before this selection.
Experience isn’t the issue for Pickett, being a four-year starter. It’s consistency. Prior to the 2021 season, Pickett had yet to have a touchdown-interception ratio better than 2:1. He hadn’t thrown more than 13 touchdowns in a season. Luckily for him he went off in 2022.
Pickett threw 42 touchdowns with just seven interceptions while eclipsing 4,000 passing yards. That will draw interest from teams, but how he tests could ultimately determine where he goes.