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Pittsburgh's 2022 Draft Picks Facing Pivotal Third Seasons In 2024

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Pittsburgh's 2022 Draft Picks Facing Pivotal Third Seasons In 2024


The Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2022 NFL Draft was an interesting one for several reasons. First, the team was going into its first season without future Hall of Fame QB Ben Roethlisberger who retired that offseason, putting Pittsburgh in position to try and find his successor. Secondly, former GM Kevin Colbert captained the ship for the final time during that offseason, choosing to remain as the team’s GM through the draft where he would then hand over the reins to current GM Omar Khan.

Colbert’s final draft class as Steelers general manager has been subject to scrutiny over the past year based on how the draftees fared thus far in their respective careers. The headliner of the class, QB Kenny Pickett who was drafted 20th overall in the first round, is no longer with the team after getting traded to the Philadelphia Eagles this offseason. QB Chris Oladokun didn’t stick with the team past the rookie’s first training camp, getting released and proceeding to sign with the Kansas City Chiefs practice squad. The rest of the 2022 draftees are currently still with the team, but are each facing a pivotal Year 3 for various reasons.

The current crown jewel of the class is WR George Pickens, who Pittsburgh picked 52nd overall in the second round. Despite poor quarterback play, Pickens has been a productive receiver during his first two seasons in the league, catching 115 passes for 1,941 yards (16.9 YPR) and 9 touchdowns. Pickens’ talent is undeniable, having the height, speed and athleticism to win on the outside and in the red zone.

The main issue with Pickens is his lapses in maturity, as he has had several breakdowns on the sideline since coming to Pittsburgh, making skeptics wonder if the team should lock him in to a long-term deal worth big money. He needs to continue to develop as a route runner to warrant WR1 status, but Pickens looks primed to step into that role in 2024 with the departure of Diontae Johnson this offseason.

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The Steelers drafted DL DeMarvin Leal in the third round with the 84th pick, and to this point heading into his third season, we’re stilling waiting to see if Leal can become a meaningful contributor on the defensive side of the ball. The tweener defensive lineman has played 381 total defensive snaps through two seasons and has bounced around the formation from playing at a traditional 3-4 defensive end in Pittsburgh’s scheme, as well as a 3-4 standup outside linebacker. He has 29 total tackles, 3 tackles for loss, a sack and 4 pass deflections during his first two seasons in Pittsburgh.

He’s entering a make-or-break 2024 season where his roster spot could very well be on the line. Leal has proven that he can be a versatile, athletic defender who can play multiple spots, but Pittsburgh needs him to step up as an interior defender as DL Cameron Heyward continues to age, looking to groom that next wave of productive defensive linemen in Pittsburgh.

Fourth-round pick WR Calvin Austin III missed his entire rookie season in 2022 after breaking his foot in training camp, rehabbing to make his NFL debut last season. He had moments where he flashed his big-play ability that he put on display at Memphis, catching long-bomb touchdowns against the Buccaneers in the preseason and the Raiders, as well as taking a jet sweep for a touchdown against the Bengals.

Still, he proved to be inconsistent as a pass catcher throughout the year and never saw his snaps rise above 29% once Johnson returned to the lineup after suffering a hamstring injury in Week 1. Austin finds himself in a battle with the likes of Van Jefferson, Quez Watkins and rookie Roman Wilson for playing time in 2024, needing to have a strong season to become more of a consistent member of the receiving corps, as well as to secure his roster spot in a muddled wide receiver room.

TE Connor Heyward is a near lock for the roster as the team’s TE3 behind Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington, but still needs to prove that he can be a consistent presence as a blocker, receiver and special teamer to warrant a potential contract extension from Pittsburgh as he enters the final year of his rookie deal in 2025. Heyward has been a serviceable Swiss Army Knife for the Steelers since getting drafted in the sixth round in 2022, contributing in the passing game and on special teams.

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He just needs to show more of an impact going forward to warrant more than the veteran minimum on a potential multi-year contract from Pittsburgh once his rookie deal is up.

Pittsburgh’s final draft pick from the 2022 draft class that is still on the team is LB Mark Robinson, selected 225th overall in the seventh round. As things stand today, Robinson is facing an uphill climb to make the roster out of training camp, having the likes of Patrick Queen, Elandon Roberts, Cole Holcomb and rookie third-round pick Payton Wilson ahead of him on the depth chart. Holcomb is coming off a nasty leg injury suffered last season and may not be a full-go right off the bat, allowing Robinson to stick as the team’s perceived ILB4.

Still, the former seventh round pick hasn’t made much of an impact yet coming out of Ole Miss two years ago, having 39 total tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 sack and 1 forced fumble in 195 defensive snaps. Robinson was a core special teamer last season, which helps his chances at landing a roster spot. However, with Wilson now in the fold as another core special teamer, Robinson needs to show more awareness and development from the neck up during training camp and the preseason to warrant keeping a roster spot in 2024.



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Pittsburg, PA

Steelers Missed on ‘Perfect World’

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Steelers Missed on ‘Perfect World’


PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers landed Mike Williams from the New York Jets just hours before the trade deadline passed. It’s a move they were anticipated to make, but one that didn’t come without plenty of effort to find an alternative route.

The Steelers searched high and low trying to find a wide receiver trade this season, starting with Brandon Aiyuk of the San Francisco 49ers and going down to the wire with check-ins on DK Metcalf and Courtland Sutton. Eventually, they landed Williams, who certainly adds to their roster, but one insider believes a “perfect world” would’ve looked different.

“They’re not asking [Williams] to come in and be a No. 2,” Steelers insider Mark Kaboly said on 93.7 The Fan. “In a perfect world, they would want that. But that perfect world broke his collarbone two weeks ago. The perfect world decided to go play with his buddy in New York. And the other perfect world decided to re-sign with the 49ers.”

The references are to Christian Kirk, who the Steelers were reportedly in agreement to trade for prior to him breaking his collarbone and being placed on Injured Reserve. The others are in reference to Davante Adams, who was traded to the Jets instead of Pittsburgh, and Aiyuk, who chose to stay in San Francisco at the last second.

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While Pittsburgh didn’t land the big-name wideout they wanted, they will hope Williams adds to their offense in a big way. The expectation isn’t that he starts alongside George Pickens immediately, but Williams did say he started working with the first team during his first practice.

As for that “perfect world,” the Steelers are going to have to win without it. After watching the Chiefs land DeAndre Hopkins, the Ravens add Diontae Johnson and the Bills trade for Amari Cooper, Pittsburgh is left with Pickens and Williams, and will do hope that is enough as they fight for a playoff run.

Make sure to bookmark Steelers On SI to get all your daily Pittsburgh Steelers news, interviews, breakdowns and more!



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Community weighs in on future of Parkway East bridge over Four Mile Run

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Community weighs in on future of Parkway East bridge over Four Mile Run


PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — PennDOT is looking at rebuilding or rehabbing a major bridge on the Parkway East in Pittsburgh.

The bridge was built in the 1950s and carries Interstate 376 over the small neighborhood of Four Mile Run. A park and playground sit underneath the bridge, and homes stand just feet away.

PennDOT officials asked members of the public to provide feedback to them at a meeting on Wednesday. They stressed they were early in the planning stages.

They shared that while the bridge is listed in “fair” condition, it has been deteriorating. But for people who live near the bridge, the project could come with a cost. They are concerned about the possibility PennDOT will need to buy some of the homes near the bridge for the construction project.

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“I don’t want to see my neighbors have to go because our neighborhood is so small already,” said Ziggy Edwards. “When you take into consideration the harm that was done to the neighborhood with the initial construction and how it has continued over the years, it should be a real consideration to protect the integrity of the community.”

At the meeting on Wednesday, KDKA-TV asked Doug Seeley, an assistant district executive at PennDOT District 11, which properties could be impacted

“We do not know that now. That would primarily depend on the option that is developed here, whether it is a replacement or rehabilitation, Seeley said.

Another bridge-related issue neighbors say they have faced is falling debris. As mentioned in the PennDOT presentation, debris occasionally falls on the playground below the bridge. Neighbors say it poses a safety issue for kids.

“Everyone in the neighborhood shares that concern,” Edwards said.

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The material falling onto the playground is meant as a temporary measure to protect neighbors by catching debris that flies off the highway. It’s not a perfect system, but PennDOT is planning to replace the temporary protective material this fall.   

“Some of (my neighbors) have suffered damage to their vehicles that are parked across the street because of crashes and things flying off the bridge,” Edwards said.

At Wednesday’s meeting, neighbors also asked PennDOT to consider frequent flooding, noise, and the ability to use the nearby trail and the playground.

“We’re really concerned with the issues that the property owners and the community have with this project. That’s why we’re here today. We want to make sure we are considering those things as we move forward with the design,” Seeley said.

PennDOT’s presentation said it could potentially add additional fencing on both sides to either a rehabbed or rebuilt bridge to keep things from flying off.

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Construction could start in 2028. PennDOT officials say they will do their best to minimize traffic impacts.



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What to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: Nov. 8-10

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What to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: Nov. 8-10


Check out the PGH Vintage Mixer, take a Pittsburgh Potters Tour or enjoy “Cavalleria Rusticana” at the Pittsburgh Opera — here’s what to do in the city this weekend.

Visual Art
In the new show at Silver Eye Center for Photography, two acclaimed artists draw on their families’ photographic archives to explore themes like migration and the complex legacies of maternal lineages. “Passages” features work by Missouri-based Priya Suresh Kambli and Cambridge, Mass.-based Vivian Poey, who use techniques like layering and mark-making to alter existing photos. The opening reception is Thu., Nov. 7.

Dance
Did you know Madonna once studied with dance pioneer Martha Graham? And that the Allegheny City-born Graham (d. 1991) was a fan of the Material Girl? Now Pittsburgh-based choreographer and dancer Jesse Factor asks what if Graham had choreographed the Blond Ambition tour, applying her movement style to Madonna’s hits? Factor’s “The Marthaodyssey” debuts this week at the Kelly Strayhorn Theater, with performances Fri., Nov. 8, and Sat., Nov. 9.

Opera
Ruggero Leoncavallo’s tragic “Pagliacci” is among the world’s best-known operas; with just two acts, it’s often produced alongside another tale of adultery, Pietro Mascagni’s one-act “Cavalleria Rusticana.” So it is this weekend at Pittsburgh Opera, with key roles for soprano Caitlin Gotimer, mezzo-soprano Eve Gigliotti and baritone Sebastian Catana. The double-bill gets four performances at the Benedum Center, Sat., Nov. 9, Tue., Nov. 12, and Nov. 15 and 17.

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Marketplace
The PGH Vintage Mixer returns with its first in-person event since 2021. The marketplace for vintage fashion, vinyl, comics, toys, mid-century-modern stuff and more will set up shop in the David L. Lawrence Convention Center all day Sat., Nov. 9. The ticketed event features some 100 vendors and more nostalgia than you can shake a Herb Albert album at.

Visual Art
The Pittsburgh Potters Tour returns. This installment offers free self-guided tours of 18 local pottery studios, from Sewickley to Homestead, Carnegie to Wilkinsburg, and a dozen points in between, and work by dozens of guest artists as well. It’s organized by the South Side’s venerable Fireborn Studios, it’s a great way to see what local ceramic artists are doing with vases, mugs, teapots, decorative objects and more. The tour runs Sat., Nov. 9, and Sun., Nov. 10.





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