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Steelers Could Go Back-To-Back Pitt Players With First-Round Pick

The Pittsburgh Steelers could be looking next door again this offseason.

Noah Strackbein

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PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers found the player they believe to be their next franchise quarterback in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. They didn't need to look far, as Kenny Pickett walked next door from the University of Pittsburgh facility to his NFL home. 

This year, they could be looking in their own backyard once again. 

Steelers defensive coordinator Teryl Austin caught some attention for his attendance at Pitt's basketball game against Boston College at the Peterson Event Center. Sitting next to him was current NFL Draft prospect and Pitt All-American Calijah Kancey. 

Kancey is projected as a first-round pick this spring despite being a bit undersized at 6-foot, 280-pounds. But, the Steelers needed defensive line help, and with three of their top contributors hitting the market this free agency, the draft could be the place they turn.

Kancey hasn't been projected to the Steelers just yet, but Pickett wasn't expected to land in Pittsburgh last season, either. Then, after it happened, all they kept talking about was how they saw enough of him from being in the same building. 

Could that be the case with Kancey this year? 

With Larry Ogunjobi, Chris Wormley and Tyson Alualu all off the roster, for now, and Cam Heyward approaching 34 years old, going young seems to be on the Steelers' priority list. They've invested later in the two drafts with DeMarvin Leal and Isaiahh Loudermilk. 

The question now is, will they grab a star early to solidify the group? 

If Kancey is sitting there at pick 17, that answer might be yes. 

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Noah Strackbein
NOAH STRACKBEIN

Noah is the Publisher for All Steelers, Inside the Panthers (InsideThePanthers.com) and Inside the Penguins (InsidethePenguins.com), and is the host of All Steelers Talk (YouTube.com/AllSteelersTalk). A Scranton native, Noah made his way to the Pittsburgh sports scene in 2017. Now, he's pretty much full-yinzer.

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