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With the NFL Draft just over three weeks away, we are inching closer to finding out who will join the Pittsburgh Steelers with the 20th overall selection. While the Steelers have been historically successful with their 1st round picks, there are a handful of prospects the Steelers are going to want to avoid when making their decision. Below…
This may come as a surprise, but I am one of the people who have hopped off the Pickett-Train for reasons unrelated to hand size. While Pickett excelled last year and has essentially gone on the Joe Burrow rise since being quoted saying, “I’m gonna have a cold one,” he is far from the same level as Burrow. Burrow was a 2nd year starter who saw his stats explode one full year after transferring from Ohio State to Louisiana State. These are very different circumstances than Pickett who was going into his 4th year as a starter. Pickett also played against an unusually weak ACC conference while Burrow was able to win the SEC and lead LSU to a National Championship.
Circumstances aside, I still think there is plenty of work to be done in Pickett’s game that makes me uneasy about selecting him in the 1st. Pickett has nervous feet that see him far too often leave the pocket too soon, rather than stepping up and staying in. Timing and touch are other issues I would like to see more fine tuned in a 1st round pick. Overall, I think there are players better suited at 20 than Pickett and other quarterbacks who can be taken in the 2nd round who have a higher potential.
Steelers NFL Draft Prospect QB Kenny Pickett from Pitt | Photo via Twitter.com/JSKO_PHOTO
Given the current makeup of the Steelers roster, I think a receiver at 20 is the best move suited for them, but I think they would be wise to look at someone different than London. While London possesses some of the best ball skills in this draft class, I think he is too similar to what they have in Chase Claypool to draft him this high. Right now the biggest thing missing from the duo of Claypool and Diontae Johnson is a natural deep threat.
London is far from a burner and a ways down the list when it comes to speed in this draft. He can make the tough catch but the Steelers need someone who can take the top off a defense naturally and open things up underneath for Johnson and company. Consistently living and dying by the quick passing game the past two seasons, they will need to prioritize speed if they want to open things up for this offense in 2022.
Prior to free agency, Green at the 20th pick would have me jumping for joy, but that has all changed. The Steelers went out and made the decision to sign James Daniels and Mason Cole to help solidify the interior of their offensive line. That group also includes 2020 4th round pick Kevin Dotson, 2021 3rd round pick Kendrick Green and currently tendered exclusive rights free agent, J.C. Hassenauer. (Kenyon) Green is likely to be available at the 20th pick due to not testing great at the NFL Combine and guard not being a highly valued in the 1st round.
If the Steelers were to select Green, that would indicate the Steelers are prepared to either move on from Dotson or (Kendrick) Green just a year or two removed from being drafted, thus a wasted pick. If the Steelers want to add to the offensive line in the 1st round, they would be better suited drafting a left tackle than guard or center.
Hamilton falling to the Steelers would be one of the biggest surprises in the draft, but given the buzz about him potentially running a 4.7 at his Pro Day, anything can happen. Don’t get your hopes up because keep in mind, he ran a 4.59 at the combine (laser timed versus a hand timed Pro Day). Nonetheless, I don’t see him falling, or if he does, falling that far. That leaves a bunch of names like Lewis Cine out of Georgia or Daxton Hill out of Michigan to name a few to be the next guy up. If you are getting flashbacks to the 2018 NFL Draft, don’t worry, I am too.
The Steelers NEED a safety opposite of Minkah Fitzpatrick right now and it feels like them drafting one this early would be setting themselves up for the same mistake. The Steelers reached in 2018 to draft Terrell Edmunds and after four years and a declined fifth-year option, they need another safety. I hope they don’t force the need, but the Steelers have made this mistake before.
A prospect people will love because the size and demeanor he plays with, but I think the Steelers would be wise to pass on him. Right now, the biggest weakness in Penning’s game is technique and I question if the Steelers have the coaching ability to take his game to the next level. Right now, they are on their third offensive line coach in three seasons as they are unable to replicate the success Mike Munchak had. The Steelers have the potential with former 2021 4th round pick Dan Moore Jr. in his second year starting at left tackle and right tackle Chuks Okorafor, who just signed a new three-year $29.25 million dollar contract, both being young with starting experience.
They should only consider drafting one if Charles Cross out of Mississippi State were to slide to them as he could push Moore Jr. at left tackle and has enough versatility to slide inside to guard as well.
What do you think, Steeler Nation? What prospects should be avoided at the 20th pick? Click to comment below!
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5 Prospects the Steelers Should Avoid in the 1st Round
1. Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh
This may come as a surprise, but I am one of the people who have hopped off the Pickett-Train for reasons unrelated to hand size. While Pickett excelled last year and has essentially gone on the Joe Burrow rise since being quoted saying, “I’m gonna have a cold one,” he is far from the same level as Burrow. Burrow was a 2nd year starter who saw his stats explode one full year after transferring from Ohio State to Louisiana State. These are very different circumstances than Pickett who was going into his 4th year as a starter. Pickett also played against an unusually weak ACC conference while Burrow was able to win the SEC and lead LSU to a National Championship.
Circumstances aside, I still think there is plenty of work to be done in Pickett’s game that makes me uneasy about selecting him in the 1st. Pickett has nervous feet that see him far too often leave the pocket too soon, rather than stepping up and staying in. Timing and touch are other issues I would like to see more fine tuned in a 1st round pick. Overall, I think there are players better suited at 20 than Pickett and other quarterbacks who can be taken in the 2nd round who have a higher potential.
Steelers NFL Draft Prospect QB Kenny Pickett from Pitt | Photo via Twitter.com/JSKO_PHOTO
2. Drake London, WR, USC
Given the current makeup of the Steelers roster, I think a receiver at 20 is the best move suited for them, but I think they would be wise to look at someone different than London. While London possesses some of the best ball skills in this draft class, I think he is too similar to what they have in Chase Claypool to draft him this high. Right now the biggest thing missing from the duo of Claypool and Diontae Johnson is a natural deep threat.
London is far from a burner and a ways down the list when it comes to speed in this draft. He can make the tough catch but the Steelers need someone who can take the top off a defense naturally and open things up underneath for Johnson and company. Consistently living and dying by the quick passing game the past two seasons, they will need to prioritize speed if they want to open things up for this offense in 2022.
3. Kenyon Green, G, Texas A&M
Prior to free agency, Green at the 20th pick would have me jumping for joy, but that has all changed. The Steelers went out and made the decision to sign James Daniels and Mason Cole to help solidify the interior of their offensive line. That group also includes 2020 4th round pick Kevin Dotson, 2021 3rd round pick Kendrick Green and currently tendered exclusive rights free agent, J.C. Hassenauer. (Kenyon) Green is likely to be available at the 20th pick due to not testing great at the NFL Combine and guard not being a highly valued in the 1st round.
If the Steelers were to select Green, that would indicate the Steelers are prepared to either move on from Dotson or (Kendrick) Green just a year or two removed from being drafted, thus a wasted pick. If the Steelers want to add to the offensive line in the 1st round, they would be better suited drafting a left tackle than guard or center.
4. A Safety Not Named Kyle Hamilton
Hamilton falling to the Steelers would be one of the biggest surprises in the draft, but given the buzz about him potentially running a 4.7 at his Pro Day, anything can happen. Don’t get your hopes up because keep in mind, he ran a 4.59 at the combine (laser timed versus a hand timed Pro Day). Nonetheless, I don’t see him falling, or if he does, falling that far. That leaves a bunch of names like Lewis Cine out of Georgia or Daxton Hill out of Michigan to name a few to be the next guy up. If you are getting flashbacks to the 2018 NFL Draft, don’t worry, I am too.
The Steelers NEED a safety opposite of Minkah Fitzpatrick right now and it feels like them drafting one this early would be setting themselves up for the same mistake. The Steelers reached in 2018 to draft Terrell Edmunds and after four years and a declined fifth-year option, they need another safety. I hope they don’t force the need, but the Steelers have made this mistake before.
5. Trevor Penning, T, Northern Iowa
A prospect people will love because the size and demeanor he plays with, but I think the Steelers would be wise to pass on him. Right now, the biggest weakness in Penning’s game is technique and I question if the Steelers have the coaching ability to take his game to the next level. Right now, they are on their third offensive line coach in three seasons as they are unable to replicate the success Mike Munchak had. The Steelers have the potential with former 2021 4th round pick Dan Moore Jr. in his second year starting at left tackle and right tackle Chuks Okorafor, who just signed a new three-year $29.25 million dollar contract, both being young with starting experience.
They should only consider drafting one if Charles Cross out of Mississippi State were to slide to them as he could push Moore Jr. at left tackle and has enough versatility to slide inside to guard as well.
What do you think, Steeler Nation? What prospects should be avoided at the 20th pick? Click to comment below!
Support SteelerNation by clicking here to read the story..
..........then they shouldn't pick these players.