2022 NFL Draft: Grading Every Team’s 2022 NFL Draft Haul

Steelers (7 picks):

1:20 – Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh

2:20 – George Pickens, WR, Georgia

3:20 – DeMarvin Leal, DL, Texas A&M

4:33 – Calvin Austin III, WR, Memphis

6:30 – Connor Heyward, FB, Michigan State

7:04 – Mark Robinson, LB, Ole Miss

7:20 – Chris Oladokun, QB, South Dakota State

This is one of the sections that’s going to leave me wide open for a “cold takes exposed”, but I must remain consistent and say that I did not like the Kenny Pickett move. I question whether his upside is worthy of using a first-round selection, especially given the fact that they had their pick of the litter at quarterback. Maybe he will make me look silly, but using a first on a quarterback that might never be a top-15 quarterback in the NFL is something I can’t get behind.

George Pickens in round two helps keep this grade in the middle range, as does adding Calvin Austin III. The two will bolster a wide receiver room that is lacking outside of Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool.

DeMarvin Leal is the type of tweener that I have a hard time pounding the table for, as he is sometimes to slow on the outside and not strong enough on the inside. Granted, the amount of talent on the Steelers defense should allow for Leal to ease his way into things, so I can see a path where he becomes a starter, but it takes some projecting. General manager Kevin Colbert promised to leave the organization in a spot that had them set up well for the future, we can debate whether or not he succeeded.

Grade: B-