As the NFL Combine unfolds and the 2024 NFL Draft approaches in two months, attention has intensified on the latest quarterback class. ESPN’s Matt Miller surveyed scouts and executives to rank first-round quarterbacks based solely on pre-draft assessments, highlighting Kenny Pickett, the Pittsburgh Steelers‘ 20th overall pick in 2022, as the lowest-rated quarterback since 2021. This ranking marks Pickett’s selection as the most questionable among recent first-round QB choices.
Top Quarterbacks and Comparisons Within the Current QB Class
The Chicago Bears’ Caleb Williams, the expected No. 1 overall pick in 2024, secured the highest spot in the rankings. Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza ranked eighth, positioned between Houston Texans’ C.J. Stroud, drafted second overall in 2023, and Minnesota Vikings’ J.J. McCarthy, the tenth overall pick this year. Pickett was placed just below New York Giants’ Jaxson Dart and Atlanta Falcons’ Michael Penix Jr., who, along with Pickett, complete the bottom three of this evaluation.
Challenges Faced by Steelers and Pickett’s Struggles
Following the retirement of Ben Roethlisberger, the Steelers sought a franchise quarterback during Kevin Colbert’s final draft as general manager. The available quarterback cohort was generally regarded as weak, and the Steelers ultimately selected Pickett, a University of Pittsburgh product. Despite flashes of promise in his rookie year, Pickett failed to fully meet expectations. He suffered an injury late in his second season, which paved the way for Mason Rudolph to lead Pittsburgh to three consecutive victories and a playoff berth.
Pickett’s Transition and Team Changes
After the injury and subsequent struggles, Pickett was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles, while the Steelers acquired veteran Russell Wilson and later invested in Justin Fields. Across his tenure as a starter in Pittsburgh, Pickett posted a 14-10 record, a performance heavily influenced by a strong defense rather than his own play. Now on his fifth team in just four seasons, Pickett’s career trajectory suggests he may not live up to the expectations of a first-round pick.
Context of Alternatives and Wider Quarterback Trends
The Steelers had limited options beyond Pickett, with Malik Willis viewed as a promising backup option now poised for a significant contract after two seasons with the Green Bay Packers. However, Willis has had limited game exposure and offers no guarantee of outperforming Pickett. Among the 2021 NFL Draft quarterbacks, only San Francisco 49ers’ Brock Purdy, who was the last player selected that year, has consistently secured a starting role. The Steelers’ difficulty in identifying a franchise quarterback underscores the inherent challenges tied to their draft choices amid a generally weak quarterback draft class.
