2 Steelers Boldly Named To NFL GameDay All-Rookie Team

The Pittsburgh Steelers are entering a new era with a barrage of new players on the current roster. The 2022 NFL season has not even started yet, but that doesn't stop writers like Chad Reuter of the official NFL website on debating just how far this team can go. Reuter's All-Rookie Team was posted on Twitter by NFL GameDay and while one Steelers player may not surprise, the other that made the list got the nod over several players in his positional category that were drafted before him.

Steelers Pickett Is Reuter's Rookie QB1

This should not come as a surprise to many fans around the league as Pickett was the only quarterback drafted in the first two rounds and has a shot to contribute right away. Pickett beat out other rookie signal-callers such as Malik Willis, Desmond Ridder, Matt Corral and Sam Howell.

Pittsburgh Steelers first round QB Kenny Pickett drops back in 2022 minicamp. (Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers)

"Pickett was the third-string quarterback in OTAs and minicamp, playing behind veterans Mitchell Trubisky and Mason Rudolph. That could be a very temporary placement for the rookie, though. I suspect that Pickett -- the only quarterback selected in the first two rounds of this year’s draft -- will take over the starting job before too long in 2022, leaning on his experience and athleticism to garner all-rookie honors," wrote Reuter.

Mitch Trubisky is expected to be the Week 1 starter, although ESPN's Dan Graziano agreed with Reuter and said last week that Pickett is going to compete for the starting job immediately. Reuter's list is based on what rookies he thinks will be the best of the best at their positions come season's end, so that would mean the 20-year NFL draft-analyst veteran has Pickett taking over the starting spot.

Steelers Second Round Selection George Pickens Is WR1

Pickens was the 11th wide receiver chosen in the 2022 NFL Draft, but that didn't stop Reuter from putting him atop the rookie depth chart at the position.

"In his final draft before retiring as the Steelers’ general manager, Kevin Colbert once again landed a bargain receiver in the second round. Pickens is already impressing showing off his skills during OTAs. Expect whoever lines up at quarterback for Pittsburgh to regularly lean on his speed and strong hands to make big plays downfield."

Pickens has extremely raw ability and was noted as the biggest steal of the entire draft by some. Colbert might have done it again with another stud receiver.

Pickett to Pickens could be something special for along time if these rookie rankings tend to come true by season's end. Reuter's selections implicate the Steelers having the best first two picks in this year's draft. No other team had two players named to the list.

Do you think both Pickett and Pickens will be the best rookies at their positions in 2022? Let us know in the comments below!

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