On Tuesday, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback, Kenny Pickett joined defensive captain, Cam Heyward and his co-host, Hayden Walsh, on their podcast hosted by ESPN, Not Just Football With Cam Heyward. The first-year quarterback opened up about his draft day experience, his relationship head coach, Mike Tomlin, his thoughts on the current playoff scenarios, and much more. Of course, he was also asked about the possibility of playing with his college teammate once again, that being wide receiver, Jordan Addison.
Pittsburgh wide receiver, Jordan Addison, right, celebrates with quarterback, Kenny Pickett after scoring a touchdown against Syracuse during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Syracuse, N.Y., Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Pickett and Addison were quite the dynamic duo playing at the University of Pittsburgh. In 2021 alone, Addison was the Biletnikoff Award winner (college football's outstanding receiver), while also being named a consensus All-American. He finished the season with 1,593 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns on a Pitt-record 100 receptions (15.9 avg.) in 14 games. Alongside him that year, in 13 starts, Pickett led the Panthers to an 11-2 record and the program's first ACC Championship. He was a Heisman Trophy finalist and finished the season with the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award (nation’s top senior/fourth-year junior quarterback).
To be reunited again in Pittsburgh is something Pickett told Heyward would be a dream. Pickett mentioned that he and Addison discussed playing together in the pros back in college, and since Addison recently declared for the 2023 NFL Draft, playing together again is definitely a possibility:
"That would be awesome man," Pickett responded when Walsh asked him about possibly reuniting with Addison in Pittsburgh. "We talked about playing in the NFL together while we were at Pitt. That's like the college teammate's dream... especially like a quarterback-receiver, that kind of dynamic. Especially how well we played together."
The Pittsburgh Steelers celebrate an offensive score against the Cleveland Browns during the last game of the regular season in 2022 at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA. | Photo credit: Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation.com (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Pickett spoke very highly of his current pass-catching group, including rising star, George Pickens. But to add a player like Addison to the roster, that could really take this offense to the next level. Pickett continued:
"He's [Jordan Addison] probably going to run low 4.3's, maybe high 4.29, like 4.29-4.28 if he's got a good start. He's got that kind of speed. I think people are kind of underestimating his speed. And the thing about Jordan is, he runs routes at that speed. There's some guys that run 4.3, but they don't play at that speed. That's what's impressive about him, he plays at that speed. He's in and out of cuts at that speed. So he's an elite, elite receiver. So whoever gets him is going to get a special talent."
Pickett goes on to commend how special Addison is off the field as well; his film study, his character, all traits that would be an asset in this Steelers locker room.
With the Steelers having three picks in the top 50 of the upcoming NFL Draft, many fans believe the team should look at other positions to re-up on. Both the offensive and defensive lines could use a jolt of young talent, there are questions at the middle linebacker position, and of course, cornerback has been a concern for quite some time. But if Addison is available at the 17th overall pick, or even at 32, should Tomlin an co. pull the trigger on another familiar Pitt face like they did early in 2022?
Would yinz like to see Addison drafted to the Steelers? Or should the team focus on other areas of need? Make sure to click to comment below!
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