Pittsburgh Steelers select Michigan State tight end Connor Heyward in 2022 NFL Draft
The Pittsburgh Steelers have selected Connor Heyward out of Michigan State with the 208th overall pick (via KC) in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. The brother of current Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward, Connor Heyward now gets a family reunion for his rookie season in the NFL
Connor Heyward spent the past five seasons with the Spartans, including his first four as a running back/fullback. He made the transition to tight end in 2021, setting career highs with 35 catches for 326 yards and two touchdowns.
Pittsburgh selected Memphis receiver Calvin Austin with their first day three draft choice in the fourth round. Coming into day three, the Steelers used their second and third round picks on Georgia receiver George Pickens and Texas A&M defensive lineman DeMarvin Leal, respectively.
In terms of needs coming into the weekend, the Steelers need help at the wide receiver position, having lost 60 percent of their wide receiver production last season following the departures of JuJu Smith-Schuster, James Washington and Ray-Ray McCloud. Chase Claypool needs help next season, and if it can’t come through free agency, it should come from the NFL Draft.
Head coach Mike Tomlin’s quarterback situation is still hazy at best heading into the weekend. Following the tragic death of Dwayne Haskins, the Steelers are left with Mitch Trubisky or Mason Rudolph. Both QBs have been given chances to earn their stripes early in their careers, but neither have been able to sustain prolonged success — which is a situation the Steelers haven’t had to face in nearly two decades.
Behind the starting three on Pittsburgh’s defensive line, the Steelers severely lack depth in the trenches. Last season they were one worst run-stopping teams in the NFL and did little to stack depth at the position so far this offseason. Cornerback is also a position Tomlin needs to address before the start of the 2022-23 season.
Pittsburgh selected quarterback Kenny Pickett with their first round pick Thursday night. The Steelers have had immense success with their past two first-round draft picks. Claypool was drafted in 2020 and is already WR1 for the Steelers. That pick was followed up by Najee Harris last season, who looks to be one of the most promising young running backs in the league after his rookie season. Connor Heyward will look to capture some of that magic as well.
The Steelers will enjoy two more selections on the final day, including two draft picks seventh round before wrapping up their 2022 draft class.