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No Love: Steelers Pickett, Pickens Not on Ballot for NFL Rookie of the Year

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Steelers Browns Kenny Pickett Pickens

No Steelers rookies are nominated for the 2022 NFL Rookie of the Year Award by the NFL, the league announced on Tuesday.

On the list are Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner, Seahawks cornerback Tariq Woolen, Jets receiver Garrett Wilson, Saints receiver Chris Olave, Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker, and Lions defensive lineman AIdan Hutchinson. That leaves Kenny Pickett, George Pickens, and other Steelers rookies on the outside looking in.

That does not come as a surprise, as Pickett does not have appealing numbers in the box score. He still threw more interceptions than touchdowns and despite his late heroics in the season, all of those mentioned above him put up solid numbers. Meanwhile, Pickens was just outgained by Olave and Wilson, so it makes sense that he was left off the list as well after a promising rookie season.

The class as a whole has earned some high marks, including Pickens and Pickett. However, neither of the Steelers will bring home the rookie of the year honor. Ben Roethlisberger won the award in 2004 as the Offensive Rookie of the Year. He was the last player to win the award in the franchise’s history.

As the Steelers and the young duo go back to work for the offseason, there is plenty of room to grow for each player. However, it will be up to their pivotal second-year offseason development to see if they take the patented second-year leap with Pittsburgh.