Analyst predicts Kenny Pickett, George Pickens will make 2022 Offensive All-Rookie Team

Those who have been tracking the situation since the 2022 NFL Draft are probably aware that free-agent acquisition Mitchell Trubisky is widely considered the overwhelming favorite to be the starting quarterback of the Pittsburgh Steelers over first-round selection Kenny Pickett and career backup Mason Rudolph in September. 

For a piece published on Monday, Mike Kaye of Pro Football Network said that "Rudolph is the likeliest candidate for the No. 2 job in Week 1." 

Not everybody agrees with that assessment. 

Chad Reuter of the league's website is projecting that Pickett will be named to the NFL Offensive All-Rookie Team for the upcoming season. 

"Pickett was the third-string quarterback in OTAs and minicamp, playing behind veterans Mitchell Trubisky and Mason Rudolph," Reuter explained. "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." 

Reuter also noted he's high on Pittsburgh wide receiver and second-round choice George Pickens.

"In his final draft before retiring as the Steelers’ general manager, Kevin Colbert once again landed a bargain receiver in the second round," Reuter wrote. "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." 

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin has suggested he'll hold a legitimate quarterback competition during training camp and the preseason, and such a battle will go a long way in determining if either Pickett or Pickens will be immediate impact players for a new-look offense following the retirement of future Hall of Famer Ben Roethlisberger.