Pickett tops list of rookies to watch

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett and Detroit Lions defensive wing Aidan Hutchinson headline the rookies to watch in Week 2 of the NFL preseason that begins Thursday.

Pickett, the only quarterback taken in the first round of last April’s 2022 Draft, made his debut Saturday in the Steelers’ 32-25 win over the Seahawks under a standing ovation from his team’s fans and the 24-year-old responded with a remarkable performance.

He passed for 95 yards, connected on 13 of 15 carries and scored two touchdowns, numbers that excite his fans who hope he can be a worthy successor to the legendary Ben Roethlisberger who retired earlier this year after 18 seasons.

In the offseason, Pickett had only second-team reps, and was considered the third passer behind the experienced Mitch Trubisky, one, and Mason Rudolph, two.

That changed in the final part of Tuesday’s practice.

Kenny led the starters for the first time. He outpaced Trubisky, who was 11-for-15, and Rudolph, 10-for-15, in passer rating, giving him a chance to start Saturday’s game against the Jaguars.

With Detroit, the second-worst team in the 2021 season, Aidan Hutchinson, a first-round pick in this year’s draft, shined in his preseason debut in the Lions’ 27-23 loss to the Atlanta Falcons.

Hutchinson was efficient on all 11 plays he ran with his quickness and blocking. Positioned on one side of the guard on the left side, he generated a loss of yardage to the opposition on a couple of plays. Faced with the pressure he generated, he was doubled to avoid his blocks.

Detroit will play the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday, and coach Dan Campbell warned that he will demand Hutchinson again.

“Just because Aidan is a first-round pick doesn’t mean he gets respect. He has to earn it and he gets it; he gets heartbreak, that’s exactly what you want from a rookie,” Campbell said.

Brian Robinson is another rookie to watch. The running back taken in the third round of the draft by the Washington Commanders looked good last weekend with a touchdown on the ground and two receptions in his NFL debut; he was the engine of their offense.

The Commanders will also face the Chiefs on Saturday.

On the Dallas Cowboys, who will play the Los Angeles Chargers the same day, coach Mike McCarthy was confident that his fourth-round pick, 23-year-old tight end Jake Ferguson, will be the complement he needs on offense.

“Jake is everything we thought he was. I love his tenacity, he’s bright and has a clear understanding of the game. He’s a very versatile player,” McCarthy boasted.

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