Home Quick Hitters SCB Steelers Quick Hitters: The “2022 Draft Recap” Edition

SCB Steelers Quick Hitters: The “2022 Draft Recap” Edition

by Steeldad
steelcityblitz.com

Good Monday to you Steelers fans.

The 2022 NFL Draft is now in the books and if you’ve come here looking for a grade from me you’ll get no such thing. Grading drafts in the hours or days after they’ve ended makes no sense to me. These players need an opportunity to play. They need to be coached and given an opportunity to work within the new systems they’ve been drafted into. Saying a guy “isn’t a fit” or “isn’t their type of player” is ignorant. An analyst or expert may have great knowledge of the team and the player but they don’t know how the team plans to utilize the player. But you didn’t come here to be lectured on what many of you already know. I think the Steelers had a really solid draft. If Kenny Pickett‘s ceiling ends up being Derek Carr as many have predicted I’m OK with that. Kevin Colbert had to address the position and despite this QB class being quite awful, he took the guy most ready to play. George Pickens is a ‘boom or bust’ guy in my book. Coming off an ACL injury will be challenging but the maturity issues are a bigger concern for me. If he’s learned and matured then this pick could be the steal of the Draft. Defensive Lineman Demarvin Leal selected in the third round could also prove fruitful. He’s got the capability of being a long-term starter but should benefit from playing behind the top veterans. Calvin Austin III is a guy I want to get REALLY excited about. He’s ridiculously fast and quick, catches the ball well and also doesn’t go down on first contact. But… comparisons will surely be made to Dri Archer. I believe the difference is that Austin has lateral quickness to go with his straight-line speed. Archer never really had that. Connor Heyward‘s selection was the least surprising thing about this draft. He will be used as a tight end but I have to think H-back is much more likely. Mark Robinson will compete for depth at LB and QB Chris Oladokun has some intriguing skills that could be developed.

Tweet of the Day… I wish Ed the best. Seriously, I do. I never met him personally and he never interacted with me via social media because I was one of those “bloggers” that most journalists of his age despise. I never took that personally. I understood it. All this said, the Steelers’ news beat will miss his knowledge and expertise but it will also get younger and I believe better as a result.

 

Undrafted Free Agent Rookies

As they always do the Steelers signed a number of undrafted rookies who will provide nothing more than ‘being another body’ unless someone really impresses which is always possible.

  • RB Mataeo Durant, Duke
  • RB Jaylen Warren, Oklahoma State
  • OL Chris Owens, Alabama
  • OL Jake Dixon, Duquesne
  • DL Donovan Jeter, Michigan
  • OLB Tyree Johnson, Texas A&M
  • OLB T.D. Moultry, Auburn
  • DB Chris Steele, Southern California
  • OL Jordan Tucker, North Carolina
  • DB Bryce Watts, Massachusetts

Don’t Overlook This Signing

The Steelers quietly signed safety Damontae Kazee over the weekend. Kazee played his first four seasons in Atlanta and then played in Dallas last season. He has 12 interceptions and has the versatility to play both strong and free safety.

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