Kenny Pickett will get his first taste of NFL action this weekend as the Pittsburgh Steelers host rookie camp at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, May 13-15th.
In addition to Pickett and all the 2022 draft picks, 10 players who were signed to UDFA deals, and an additional 13 NFL hopefuls who were invited to attend the camp will all be in attendance. Let's take a closer look.
Kenny Pickett
All eyes will be on first round pick Kenny Pickett at rookie camp this weekend, because, well, the Steelers don’t often draft many first round quarterbacks. Pickett starts his journey on the way to battle Mitch Trubisky for the Steelers starting quarterback position.
Pittsburgh Steelers QB Kenny Pickett working 5 Quick throwing 10-12yd Speed Out with anticipation, accuracy and velocity turning on last crossover step to make a straight, balanced throw with consistent sequence. Last training session before rookie mini camp. @kennypickett10 #qb pic.twitter.com/u2qFeICDVf
— Tony Racioppi (@Tonyrazz03) May 11, 2022
Rookie camp will allow the coaching staff their first opportunity to get into Pickett's skill set and work with him.
The Wide Receivers
Most notably, second round pick George Pickens and fourth round pick Calvin Austin III. Pickens has tremendous potential as a receiver. Rookie Camp will allow Pickens to show that he is fully recovered from last year's knee injury. One thing the coaches will be looking at is if he can develop an early rapport with Pickett. That would go a long way to getting both closer to a starting position in 2022.
Calvin Austin III hopes to showcase what made him a standout at Memphis; his speed. He was both a receiver and returner in his four years at Memphis, where he was First-Team All-AAC. Pro Football Network’s Tony Pauline told 93.7 the Fan that Austin reminded him of Tyreek Hill in terms of ability.
“I thought he could have gone in day two to the Kansas City Chiefs,” Pauline told 93.7 The Fan. “I thought he would have been an outstanding replacement to Tyreek Hill, if there is such a thing. Yeah, he’s only 5’ 7.5” but he plays big football.”
Memphis Tigers receiver Calvin Austin III celebrates his catch during their game against the SMU Mustangs at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium on Saturday Nov. 6, 2021.
Mataeo Durant
Signing the largest undrafted rookie free agent contract for a running back in franchise history sure means that all eyes will be on you when you take the field at Rookie Camp. That is exactly the situation Mataeo Durant finds himself this weekend. With the signing of Durant, it is no secret that the Steelers want to find a suitable back that can take some of the load off Najee Harris who carried the ball a league high 381 times last season. Benny Snell Jr. and Anthony McFarland Jr. have failed to impress thus far in their careers and the Steelers need a reliable back behind Harris.
Been watching Steelers UDFA RB Mataeo Durant and this dude’s got wheels with with his 4.38 40 time. A unique style with running upright and displaying good vision. Najee is the lead dog but need depth. #HereWeGo #SteelersDraft pic.twitter.com/FRLtsW9T6G
— Steel Legends (@Steel_Legends) May 7, 2022
Durant rushed for 1,241 yards and 9 TDs in his senior year at Duke. Rookie camp will be the first stepping stone to what Steelers brass hope will lead to a roster spot in 2022.
Tyree Johnson
Another area of interest for the Steelers is depth EDGE rusher. They didn’t address this in the draft or through free agency yet. The Steelers are hoping they may have struck undrafted gold with Tyree Johnson. The Steelers signed Johnson to a three-year, $2.57M deal with a $10,000 signing bonus. Adding another Aggie from that A&M defense along with third round pick DeMarvin Leal. If Johnson has a good camp, he may be on the fast track to making the 53-man roster as the depth at OLB after TJ Watt and Alex Highsmith is dangerously thin.
Full List of Rookie Camp Attendees
Drafted Players
- Kenny Pickett, QB, Pitt
- George Pickens, WR, Georgia
- DeMarvin Leal, DL, Texas A&M
- Calvin Austin III, WR, Memphis
- Connor Heyward, TE, Michigan State
- Mark Robinson, LB,
- Chris Oladokun, QB, South Dakota State
Signed Undrafted Free Agents
- Mataeo Durant, RB, Duke
- Donovan Jeter, DL, Michigan
- Tyree Johnson, OLB, Texas A&M
- T.D. Moultry, OLB, Auburn
- Chris Owens, G, Alabama
- Chris Steele, CB, Southern California
- Jordan Tucker, OT, North Carolina
- Jaylen Warren, RB, Oklahoma State
- Bryce Watts, CB, UMass
- Jake Dixon, OT, Duquesne
Rookie Camp Invitees
- Jahad Woods, LB, Washington State
- Tyrell Ford, DB, Waterloo
- Michael Maiette, OL, Missouri
- Tavin Harvell, DB, Robert Morris
- Charles Williams, RB, UNLV
- Vinny McConnell, OL, Cincinnati
- Bailey Flint, P, Toledo
- Liam Fornadel, OL, James Madison
- Tyler Dressler, LB, Virginia Tech
- PJ Barr, OL, Maine
- Vitaliy Gurman, OL, Toledo
- Tayland Humphrey, DT, Louisiana
- Tre Tipton, WR, Pitt
- Leandro DeBrito, DB, Duquesne
