ESPN’s Todd McShay has Steelers Taking Kenny Pickett in First Mock Draft

ESPN’s Todd McShay released his first mock for the 2022 NFL Draft on Tuesday, and has the Pittsburgh Steelers taking a familiar face in the first round.

With the 12th-overall selection in April’s draft, McShay projects the Steelers to select Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett.

“Ben Roethlisberger is likely in his final season, and his successor is not currently in the building,” McShay writes. “The Steelers’ offense has playmakers, but it needs someone who can distribute them the ball as the team tries to stay competitive in an AFC North division stacked with young franchise QBs.”

McShay views Pickett as the most pro-ready prospect, and the one that has the necessary tools to adjust to the NFL quickest.

“Pickett moves through his progressions and gets the ball out quickly, and he has the class’ best combination of pocket awareness, accuracy and decision-making — which I think are the three most critical traits when projecting a quarterback forward to the NFL,” McShay added.

Pickett was named ACC Player of the Year and secured a spot in New York as a Heisman finalist after passing for 4,308 yards, 42 touchdowns and seven interceptions this season.