TOP PICKS TALE OF TAPE
I’ve tracked the progress of the Steelers’ draft classes for the past few seasons. I compare Steelers rookies picked in the first three rounds against their contemporaries drafted in nearby rounds and playing similar positions selected by other teams. This season, we’ll track Kenny Pickett, George Pickens, and DeMarvin Leal to see how they stack up.
The players performances at the NFL Combine or Pro Days listed here. Not sure if it is a trend, but several players opted not to participate in all the drills. .
Let me know if there are other players you want tracked against these Steelers rookies in the comments section. I’ll update their performances at midseason.
QUARTERBACK
| Name | HT | WT | Hand | 40 yd | Bench | Broad | Shuttle | 3 Cone | Vertical |
| Kenny Pickett | 75 | 217 | 8 1/2 | 4.73 | 121 | 4.29 | 33.5 | ||
| Desmond Ridder | 75 | 211 | 10 | 4.52 | 127 | 4.29 | 7.15 | 36.0 | |
| Malik Willis | 73 | 215 | 9 1/2 | ||||||
| Matt Corral | 74 | 212 | |||||||
| Bailey Zappe | 73 | 215 | 9 3/4 | 4.88 | 109 | 4.40 | 7.19 | 30.0 | |
| Sam Howell | 73 | 218 | 9 1/8 |
All numbers from Combine or Pro Day
Quarterback Summary
Kenny Pickett came off the board first. Surprisingly, he was the only quarterback selected in the first round. Desmond Ridder (Atlanta), Malik Willis (Tennessee), and Matt Corral (Carolina) forced to wait until the third round. All three projected to be future starters and selected no later than the second round. Sam Howell waited until the fifth round for Washington to call his number. Another quarterback projected to be a starter and possible first round pick. New England got Bailey Zappe a projected back-up quarterback in the fourth. These quarterbacks should have chips on their shoulders. It’ll take a couple seasons to learn if the NFL underestimated their potential.
WIDE RECEIVER
| Name | HT | WT | 40 yd | Bench | Broad | Shuttle | 3 Cone | Vertical |
| Christian Watson | 77 | 200 | 4.36 | 136 | 38.5 | |||
| Wan’Dale Robinson | 68 | 178 | 4.44 | 118 | 34.5 | |||
| John Metchie | 71 | 187 | ||||||
| Tyquan Thornton | 74 | 181 | 4.28 | 130 | 36.5 | |||
| George Pickens | 75 | 195 | 4.47 | 125 | 33.0 | |||
| Alec Pierce | 75 | 211 | 4.41 | 129 | 4.28 | 7.13 | 40.5 | |
| Skyy Moore | 70 | 195 | 4.41 | 125 | 4.32 | 7.13 | 34.5 |
All numbers from Combine or Pro Day
Wide Receiver Summary
Many pundits described the 2022 wide receiver position as deep in 2022. Six selected in the first round. Seven more in the second. George Pickens went to the Steelers just after New England got Tyquan Thornton. Then Alec Pierce (Colts) and Skyy Moore (Chiefs) followed immediately after Pittsburgh’s selection. This should be a fun group to follow, especially as the leftovers passed over from the first round. Some of these players should make an immediate impact in 2022.
DEFENSIVE END
| Name | HT | WT | 40 yd | Bench | Broad | Shuttle | 3 Cone | Vertical |
| Travis Jones | 76 | 325 | 4.92 | 110 | 4.58 | 7.33 | 28.5 | |
| Alex Wright | 77 | 271 | 15 | 111 | ||||
| DeAngelo Malone | 75 | 243 | 4.58 | 23 | 119 | 4.34 | 7.04 | 35.5 |
| DeMarvin Leal | 76 | 283 | 5.00 | 106 | 4.49 | 27.5 | ||
| Cameron Thomas | 76 | 267 | 24 | |||||
| Zachary Carter | 76 | 282 | 4.99 | 19 | 110 | 27.5 | ||
| Myjai Sanders | 77 | 228 | 4.67 | 120 | 4.37 | 33.0 |
All numbers from Combine or Pro Day
Defensive Line Summary
Teams selected 12 defensive linemen in the first and second rounds. This will be more difficult to compare since some play in the interior and others as traditional defensive ends or projected as edge defenders. The Steelers drafted DeMarvin Leal in the middle of seven defensive linemen selected in the third round. His profile projects Leal playing all along the line. With Stephon Tuitt’s status unknown and Tyson Alualu battling both age and injury, it will be interesting to see if Leal breaks into the rotation. His weight seems light, he may need to bulk up.
Day 3 Selections
Pittsburgh doubled up on two positions on Day 3. First, wide receiver Calvin Austin picked up in fourth round. Seven inches shorter than Pickens, he has 4.3 speed and may fit into the slot. Then, Pittsburgh took a flyer on South Dakota State quarterback Chris Oladokun.
| Name | POS | HT | WT | 40 yd | Bench | Broad | Shuttle | 3 Cone | Vertical |
| Calvin Austin | WR | 68 | 170 | 4.32 | 135 | 4.07 | 6.65 | 39.0 | |
| Connor Heyward | TE | 71 | 233 | 4.72 | 32.5 | ||||
| Mark Robinson | LB | 71 | 230 | 4.65 | 34 | 119 | 4.38 | 7.27 | 33.5 |
| Chris Oladokun | QB | 72 | 212 | 4.71 | 111 | 32.5 |
All numbers from Combine or Pro Day
Pittsburgh also picked up Ole Miss linebacker Mark Robinson. He played running back until switching positions last year. Finally, there is utility player Connor Heyward. Brother of Cam Heyward, he’ll have an opportunity to break in on special teams. Or perhaps utilized as an H-Back.
It will be interesting to see how many of the third day selections are contributors to the Steelers by midseason.
Undrafted Free Agents
Also, the Steelers signed 10 undrafted free agents. Let’s see how many of these players make the practice squad or even end up on the 53-man roster as the 2022 season progress.
I’ve included links to Steeler Depot Player articles on these prospects when available:
| POS | Name | School |
| CB | Chris Steele | USC |
| DB | Bryce Watts | Massachusetts |
| DL | Donovan Jeter | Michigan |
| G | Chris Owens | Alabama |
| OLB | Tyree Johnson | Texas A&M |
| OLB | T.D. Moultry | Auburn |
| OT | Jake Dixon | Duquesne |
| OT | Jordan Tucker | North Carolina |
| RB | Mataeo Durant | Duke |
| RB | Jaylen Warren | Oklahoma Sate |
So, what do you think of the Steelers 2022 draft class?
Your Music Selection
I always like to include a bit of music. The Steelers completed their 2022 draft. But this means Kevin Colbert completed his final draft as Steelers General Manager. A fixture in Pittsburgh since 2000, I hope some of these players add to his legacy. Here is Never Ending Love Song performed by Delaney and Bonnie and Friends.
