PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Steelers feel good about their rookie class. They feel it can be a core of their team moving forward. Yet none of their first-year players were named on the NFL.com All-Rookie Team.
Not even at quarterback, where NFL.com analyst David Carr selected Brock Purdy instead of Kenny Pickett. The seventh-round pick started only five games compared to a dozen for Pickett.
Brock Purdy
5-0 record, 67% completion, 1374 yards, 13 TD, 4 INT, 65.5 QBR
Kenny Pickett
7-5 record, 63% completion, 2404 yards, 7 TD, 9 INT, 51.6 QBR
Carr acknowledged Pickett ‘taking on a tougher task’ with the Steelers than Purdy dealt with in San Francisco. This is based on the regular season, obviously he’s continued solid play in the postseason. Purdy had the better team around him and definitely played in the better offensive system.
“What Purdy lacks in arm talent, he makes up for in composure and decision-making -- traits any team values in their quarterback, especially in the playoffs,” Carr said in his story.
The 23-year-old Purdy had to deal with being the leader of a team in contention. Pickett knew the margin for error was none for their playoff hopes in the second half of the season.
If you compare Pickett’s last five starts full starts (taking out Baltimore where he left after the second series), the comparison is closer:
Pickett 5-0 record, 71% completion, 978 yards, 4 TD, 1 INT
The NFL.com All-Rookie Team only selected a pair of receivers-Saints Chris Olave and the Jets Garrett Wilson. Hard to argue with those pair given Wilson was 15th in the NFL with 1,103 receiving yards setting a team record. Olave also was in four digits, 1,042 yards on 72 receptions. Had they picked a third receiver, Steelers George Pickens (52 receptions, 801 yards) may still not have made it given Atlanta’s Drake London’s 72 receptions for 866 yards.
Connor Heyward didn’t start coming on at tight end until the end. While Jaylen Warren became a solid number two at running back, Houston’s Dameon Pierce missed the last three games and still rushed for 939 yards. Injury limited DeMarvin Leal’s opportunity to be an All-Rookie Team factor on the defensive line and while seemingly having a bright future, linebacker Mark Robinson only played in a couple of games.
Steelers Najee Harris listed as the number two tailback on the 2021 NFL.com All-Rookie Team.