Roughly five months ago, all the buzz surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers ahead of the 2022 NFL Draft had much to do with the infatuation with Liberty quarterback Malik Willis permeating from many members of the Steelers’ organization. From the large contingent sent to Blacksburg, Virginia for Willis’ Pro Day, to the pre-Pro Day dinner with Mike Tomlin, not to mention the heavy interest at the Senior Bowl in Mobile and the Combine in Indianapolis, it was pretty clear to observes that the Steelers were hot on the tail of Willis.
Instead, once they were on the clock on the night of April 28 for the draft in Las Vegas, the Steelers stunned many, selecting the University of Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett with the 20th overall pick with all the quarterbacks still on the board.