Draft picks aren’t managed the way they used to be. The old-school philosophy was to sit rookies for at least a year, maybe even two. Teach them the game, allow them to watch, take mental reps before seeing the field. But those days are over and even the Steelers, who held onto that idea longer than just about anyone, have abandoned the notion. Draft picks play year one or else the bust talks kick up.
For Pitt QB Kenny Pickett, he believes he’s Day One ready. And in this weaker draft class, he may be the only one.