The Pittsburgh Steelers are winners of three of their last four since the Week 9 bye week. The team enters December with a slim chance of making the postseason, but there are multiple scenarios in which they can sneak into the postseason unexpectedly as they did at the end of the 2021 regular season. It's worth taking a look at what's more important for the organization at this point of the adjustment period after Ben Roethlisberger's retirement. Is it more important to play poorly down the stretch and secure a top-10 draft selection or for the rookie Quarterback, Kenny Pickett to get better each week while winning football games?
MIAMI GARDENS, FL - OCTOBER 23: Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) makes a throw on the run during the game between the Pittsburg Steelers and the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, October 23, 2022, at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL. | Photo Credit: Peter Joneleit / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The two things can be mutually exclusive, of course. Not all losses can or should be pinned on quarterbacks. Pickett may absolutely have a solid final five games to his first year while the defense sputters or play-calling halts the offense's ability to perform. The record over the five-game stretch isn't going to be the only determination on whether the signal-caller has made strides with the hopes of becoming the franchise guy for some time.
Pittsburgh currently has the 14th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. The franchise is in a cluster with several other teams that sit at either 5-7 or 5-8. There are going to be a ton of draft position scenarios that play out over the final month of the season. There are several highly touted prospects that are currently projected to go in the top 10 aside from the big-name quarterbacks. But, do the Steelers need to be in that group?
The answer is no. Fans of the organization may be obsessed with securing a pick extremely early, but Pittsburgh drafts extremely well. Sacrificing a little draft position is worth it if it means that your rookie quarterback was able to win games in December and January, especially three of which come within the division.
Steelers quarterback, Kenny Pickett (#8) makes a pass during a 2022 regular season game against the New Orleans Saints at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA. | Photo Credit: Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Head Coach, Mike Tomlin's job is to produce wins and he said on Tuesday that that is one of the most important factors in a young player's development.
"We’re not grading on a curve, we’re expecting him to produce wins while this development is happening," Tomlin said. "Their development is responsible for producing wins and the wins help promote development."
The Steelers are also on track to have the 34th overall pick. This will be solidified later on, but because General Manager, Omar Khan traded wide receiver, Chase Claypool to the Chicago Bears, the organization is looking at two picks in the top 33 overall (the Miami Dolphins' first-round pick will be forfeited). That pick may even give them the firepower they need to move into the top 10 if a prospect is available that they loved during the draft process is still available.
PITTSBURGH, PA - AUGUST 24: Director of Football & Business Operations Omar Khan of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on from the sideline before a preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Heinz Field on August 24, 2013, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Chiefs defeated the Steelers 26-20. | Photo Credit: George Gojkovich / Getty Images
Pittsburgh is almost always going to have a successful draft. Historically, the front office is one of the league's best when it comes to April's event. Having your 2022 first-round pick finish the year strong and string together several wins during the most crucial month of the season, is much more valuable to the future than moving down a few spots in the draft order. Pickett was drafted to be the guy of the future and no one inside the building or fans looking from the outside should desire losses over the final month or so over a successful ending to his first regular season as a pro.
Do you think Pickett's development or a top-10 draft selection is more important for the Steelers' franchise? Let us know in the comments below!
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