Year Two Goals Via Steelers 2022 Draft Class
Published May 27th, 8:35 EDT
by Bo Marchionte
Pittsburgh – The Steelers selected seven rookies in last year’s NFL Draft and six remain on the roster. In their quest to replace Ben Roethlisberger, a two-time Super Bowl winning quarterback, the team drafted Kenny Pickett in round one. Pickett has earned his place atop the pecking order entering his second season, which bodes well for both he and the team moving forward.
With OTA workouts in full swing, the goal was to grab a quick quote from each of them and find out their personal goals entering year two. The bonus quote is from undrafted running back Jaylen Warren who exceeded all expectations by cementing himself behind lead running back Najee Harris. It makes up for the absence of Chris Oladokum who is no longer with the team.
Below is a quick preview of their progress last year to their personal expectations heading into the 2023 season.
Kenny Pickett
Quarterback
Pittsburgh
First Round – 20th Overall
Rookie Numbers
Appeared in 13 games with 12 starts. Currently 7-5 as a starter with 2,404 passing yards along with seven touchdowns and nine interceptions. Only threw one interception in his last eight games in 2022.
Year Two Goal Quote
Unfortunately, the access to Pickett is as easy as the rest of the guys in the locker room. Bouncing through the locker room trying to capture a few words with the other six rookies from last season led me to strike out on knowing the answer to Pickett’s goals for his second season in the NFL and first off-season as the starter in Pittsburgh.
George Pickens
Wide Receiver
Georgia
Second Round – 52nd Overall
Rookie Numbers
Appeared in all 17 games with 12 starts. Led the team with four touchdown receptions and yards per catch (15.4). Finished 81 yards behind team receiving yardage leader Diontae Johnson who finished with 882 yards and his 52 receptions ranked him third on the team.
Year Two Goal Quote
“Year two goals are Pro Bowl and I feel like last year I feel like I got snubbed. Cause there wasn’t a lot of guys in there at the Pro Bowl that excited me. Then the Super Bowl. The two bowls. A lot of RAC, run after catch. Two bowls for sure.”
DeMarvin Leal
Defensive End
Texas A&M
Third Round – 84th Overall
Rookie Numbers
Appeared in 11 games with two starts. Missed weeks six through 12 with an injury. His two starts came in Week 5 and Week 16. Totaled eight tackles and one tackle for loss.
Year Two Goals
Quote – “Be the best I can be. I did, but I don’t want to share them (laughing).”
Calvin Austin III
Wide Receiver
Memphis
Fourth Round – 138th Overall
Rookie Numbers
Appeared in zero games. Austin III missed most of training camp and all the preseason with a foot injury. A setback with his Lisfranc injury erased his chances of returning last season.
Year Two Goal Quote
“Just blessed to have a helmet and be out there running with the guys. Play in all the games in the season of course and after that 17th game make a run. I was talking with some guys since I’ve been up here working out and stuff and I’m like man I want to make a run. So, after that 17th game I want to be in a position where I contributed and helped the team to put us in a position to make a run at the Super Bowl.”
Connor Heyward
Tight End/Fullback
Michigan State
Sixth Round – 208th Overall
Rookie Numbers
Appeared in all 17 games with zero starts. Carried the football twice for 27 yards with a long of 21. Heyward caught 12 passes for 151 yards and one touchdown. His 45 yard catch against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was the second longest reception for Pittsburgh last season.
Year Two Goal Quote
“Shit, play more. Get more playing time and get the coach’s trust in my ability and play.”
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Mark Robinson
Linebacker
Ole Miss
Seventh Round – 225th Overall
Rookie Numbers
Appeared in four games and started two. Robinson started the last two games of the season last year and totaled nine tackles.
Year Two Goal Quote
“Just playing hard every day. Just being back in here and looking forward to year two man. I’m ready to get it done. Looking to carve out a great role doing whatever it takes. I’m all in.”
Chris Oladokum
Quarterback
South Dakota State
Seventh Round – 241st Overall
Rookie Numbers
Oladokum was released on August 23, 2022, and later signed to the Kansas City Chiefs practice squad on August 31, 2022. He signed a reserve/future contract on February 15, 2023, just three days after the Chiefs defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 38-35 in Super Bowl LVII.
Year Two Goal Quote
Not with the team.
BONUS
Jaylen Warren
Running Back
Oklahoma State
Undrafted
Rookie Numbers
Appeared in 16 games with zero starts. Warren carried the ball 77 times for 379 yards and one touchdown. His 4.9 yards per carry led the Steelers in rushing while adding 28 receptions for 214 yards. Finished with five tackles (four solo) and one fumble recovery on special teams.
Year Two Goal Quote
“I ain’t got no personal goals but I just want to win a Super Bowl.”
Frank Hyatt Photo Credit
