There were plenty of Quarterback's with high upside in the 2022 NFL Draft, and shockingly, only one was drafted in the first round, as the Pittsburgh Steelers drafted Pitt QB Kenny Pickett with the No. 20 overall selection. A QB picked that high usually has a claim to the starting role immediately, but in Pittsburgh, it's clear that Head Coach Mike Tomlin is going to make Pickett earn that role, so how soon can he do that?
When the Steelers first unofficial depth chart of the off-season was released, Pickett was QB3 behind both Mitch Trubisky and Mason Rudolph, but after a reportedly impressive camp and two very good pre-season outings, he has a great chance to be the starter for this team Week 1 when they open the season in Cincinnati. After an impressive performance against Seattle where he went 13/15 for 95 yards and 2 Touchdown's, including a game winning drive, he backed it up against Jacksonville in his second game going 6-7 for 76 yards and a Touchdown, and it's safe to say the competition is well and truly on.
That's a Kenny Pickett-led TD drive for the @steelers. 🎯
— NFL (@NFL) August 21, 2022
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Many believed that Pickett was going to take time to develop in the NFL, and while pre-season doesn't always offer an accurate indicator, he is currently doing everything in his power to beat out Trubisky as the QB1. Trubisky struggled with the starting offence in this one, and even though he has the experience edge, you don't draft a QB that early in the draft if you don't see him as the future of your franchise.
With two more Sunday's before the Steelers kick off the season, plenty can and will change, but right now, it's looking like this loaded offence, led by Najee Harris, Diontae Johnson, Chase Claypool and another standout rookie George Pickens could have a rookie under centre in Week 1.
Photo Credit: Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports
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