Apart From Kenny Pickett And George Pickens, Which Member Of The Steelers' 2022 Draft Class Will Make The Biggest Leap In 2023?

The 2022 draft class for the Pittsburgh Steelers will forever be known as the one in which the team found their quarterback of the future in Kenny Pickett after the retirement of Ben Roethlisberger. While Pickett, as well as George Pickens, are more than deserving of the spotlight, the other members of this class have the opportunity to serve a valuable role for the team heading in to next season. Below you will find a breakdown of the remaining players from the 2022 class and what to expect from them heading in to 2023! 

DeMarvin Leal: Defensive End

A third-round pick out of Texas A&M, DeMarvin Leal showed promise during limited action in 2022. He finished the season with 14 total tackles and one tackle for loss. While his stats are far from impressive, it is important to keep in mind that Leal was limited to 175 total snaps this past season and only played in 11 games. In terms of his role next season, Leal may be called upon in a variety of different capacities. His athleticism and quickness off the ball make him a candidate to play both on the defensive line as well as "outside linebacker" next season in certain defensive formations. 

Leal will need to impress in both training camp as well as the preseason in order to receive meaningful playing time heading into 2023. If he is able to stay healthy, do not be surprised if Leal is the primary backup to both Cam Heyward and Larry Ogunjobi next season. He of course will be competing against Isaiahh Loudermilk and newly signed Armon Watts, but may end up having the upper hand due to his versatility and ability to rush the passer. 

Calvin Austin III: Wide Receiver

Calvin Austin III failed to play a snap for the Steelers in 2022 due to a lingering foot injury, but may be primed for a breakout season in 2023. A fourth-round pick out of Memphis, Austin III was expected to serve as the team's starting slot receiver last season in addition to his role as a return specialist. If the season were to start today, assuming he is healthy, Austin III would most likely be the team's third receiver behind Diontae Johnson and Pickens. However, the Steelers have shown interest in numerous 2023 NFL Draft prospects at wide receiver such as Jonathan Mingo, Charlie Jones, and Jayden Reed. 

There is no denying the talent Austin III brings to the table. His electric speed and change of direction make him a serious threat for the Steelers' offense. Unfortunately, until he proves he is durable enough to be consistently relied upon, he will face the question of whether or not he was worthy of the Steelers' fourth round selection in 2022. If healthy, Austin III may be a critical component in opening up the passing game for Kenny Pickett and the Steelers' offense. 

Connor Heyward: Tight End 

There was perhaps no bigger surprise in 2022 than sixth-round pick, Connor Heyward. He quickly demonstrated his ability to be a threat in the passing game and was a willing blocker during his limited playing time for the Steelers this past season. Along with Pat Freiermuth and Zach Gentry, tight end is one position the Steelers should feel content with heading in to 2023. Furthermore, because of the versatility of Heyward, the team may find themselves in a situation where they feel comfortable enough having him serve as the team's fullback. 

With his roster spot on the team fairly secure for next season, Heyward can spend the offseason fully immersing himself in the Steelers' offense and learning a plethora of different positions such as tight end, fullback, as well as slot receiver to improve his chances of getting on the field. If utilized correctly, Heyward can become a Swiss Army knife for the Steelers' offense and help fill in the necessary voids by providing the versatility to serve in a number of different roles. 

Mark Robinson: Inside Linebacker

Mark Robinson is perhaps the biggest unknown out of the players from the 2022 NFL Draft class. As a seventh-round pick, his roster spot this past season was far from locked in, but his physical style of play and ability to perform on special teams made him too valuable to let go of. While he failed to see much of the field in 2022, he may be poised for a much bigger role in 2023 due to the complete overhaul of the inside linebacker position the team has undergone this offseason. Robinson is the only remaining inside linebacker from the 2022 roster. 

With the additions of both Cole Holcomb and Elandon Roberts, Robinson is likely to serve as a backup next season. However, this is not to say that he will not play a significant role in the team's defense. Even with the new additions, Robinson is likely to be a core special teams player who will play sparingly on defense, especially in obvious run situations. While he is far from a finished product, he has a tremendous chance of being the Steelers' third inside linebacker in 2023, perhaps playing a similar role to that of former Steelers' linebacker, Robert Spillane. In terms of production from a seventh-round pick, Robinson may end up being a tremendous bargain for the black and gold. 

Final Thoughts On The Steelers' 2022 Draft Class

The Steelers' 2022 draft class could perhaps be one of the most successful group of players in quite some time. While Pickett and Pickens are the stars of the show, each of the four players who were also selected have the opportunity to make a serious name for themselves in 2023. If all of them are able to make strides in their level of play next season, the Steelers' chances of regaining their title of AFC North champions may rise significantly. 

Alright, Steeler Nation. Which player from the 2022 NFL Draft class are you most excited for next season? Do you think all of them are a safe bet to crack the 53-man roster in August? Let it be known in the comments! 

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