Steelers Doing Due Diligence On 2022 QB Class

[Steeler Nation]

The Pittsburgh Steelers sent scouts to the highly touted matchup between the Liberty Flames and the Ole Miss Rebels in University, Mississippi this weekend.

This matchup featured two highly rated quarterbacks for the 2022 Draft Class in Malik Willis (Liberty) and Matt Corral (Ole Miss) who both could be first round picks in the 2022 NFL Draft.

The Steelers weren’t the only team interested in this matchup however, as a total of 16 teams sent scouts to the game according to ESPN Draft Analyst Jordan Reid.

16 NFL teams in attendance for today’s matchup between Liberty and Ole Miss, including: ARZ, ATL, BUF, CAR, DAL, DEN, HOU, IND, NE, NO, PHI, PIT, TB, TEN, SEA, and WFT.

— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) November 6, 2021

There is a good chance that the Steelers will be searching for a new starting QB in 2022 as many assume this is the last season for Ben Roethlisberger. While that is not confirmed and head coach Mike Tomlin has been on record saying he prefers a veteran quarterback, the Steelers are still making sure they do their homework on the potential rookie replacements.

Willis didn’t do much to help his draft stock in this game as he completed just 16 of 25 pass attempts and tossed 3 interceptions with 0 passing TDs. He did add 71 yards on the ground and a touchdown however.

Corral had an overall solid performance completing 20 of 27 passes for 324 yards and a touchdown.



Let us know below what you think about the Steelers doing their due diligence on the future QB class and who you think they should be taking a harder look at!

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[Ike Kelly]

Pickett outplayed played both and is looking better overall. Howell for the Heels showed up again to help his stock. The problem with both Corrall and Willis is neither had one real snap under center. Not one. Willis has no line AT ALL, so why the OC didn’t go under center to help is crazy. Pickett and Howell both looked real smooth in their throws.

 

[TDX27]

This is not surprising. Pickett is playing well overall although he blew it last week missing a wide-open Addison to take the lead near the end of the game. It was his 2nd int of the game and his accuracy was off most of the game. Also, many teams will shy away from him because he has childs hands. His hands are 8-1/4". Most teams shy away from QB's with hands in the lower 9" range but below 9 and that far below 9 will be an issue.

 

[SteelerFan448]

I want to not like Pickett because I remember what his first few years starting at Pitt looked like, he's just developed so much and has looked very good this year. He has two years under Mark Whipple, so you know he's getting prepared for the NFL. It feels like Pickett is still a second-round guy based on things like hand size, arm strength, etc., but he will knock out his interviews and is such an easy guy to root for.

 

[Superman]

I watched some of the Ole Miss - Liberty game.

I was wondering what all the buzz was about Willis. His OL sucked bad. Like ... the Liberty OL wouldn't block too many high school teams. So it was hard to determine - if not down right impossible - how good or bad Willis is or isnt. I'd suggest the only way to determine that is at the Senior Bowl, but since he's being hyped as a first round pick, he'd only hurt his stock if he played at the Senior Bowl and played badly.

Corral, IMO, is another Marcus Mariotta. Maybe a little better. But, remember, Mariotta was pretty ******* good in college. If he was there when we pick, it would he hard to NOT take him, though.

I want to like Pickett, but isnt he a 5th year senior? As such he is doing exactly what he should be doing - throwing for a lot of yards, making minimal mistakes and getting TDs. I'd think he is what he is and isnt going to get any better. if my choice were between Pickett and Sam Howell, though, I'd take Pickett twice on Sundays.

I like Bo Nix, but he'll have one good game, a great game, then a disaster. Never really know what you're rolling out onto the field with him. Super mobile, exciting and has a gunslinger mentality.

Will Levis, from what I've seen, is a more mobile Kyle Trask. Some of us were wanting Trask in the first this past draft. Though the ones of us who had seen Najee on Saturdays...


IMO the only QB (right now) worth a 1st is Corral. He's likely not going to last to our pick. I'd much prefer seeing us take Jordan Davis (NT) in the first and a QB later (Nix or Levis in the 3rd?)

 

[bermudasteel]

I watched some of the Ole Miss - Liberty game.

I was wondering what all the buzz was about Willis. His OL sucked bad. Like ... the Liberty OL wouldn't block too many high school teams. So it was hard to determine - if not down right impossible - how good or bad Willis is or isnt. I'd suggest the only way to determine that is at the Senior Bowl, but since he's being hyped as a first round pick, he'd only hurt his stock if he played at the Senior Bowl and played badly.

Corral, IMO, is another Marcus Mariotta. Maybe a little better. But, remember, Mariotta was pretty ******* good in college. If he was there when we pick, it would he hard to NOT take him, though.

I want to like Pickett, but isnt he a 5th year senior? As such he is doing exactly what he should be doing - throwing for a lot of yards, making minimal mistakes and getting TDs. I'd think he is what he is and isnt going to get any better. if my choice were between Pickett and Sam Howell, though, I'd take Pickett twice on Sundays.

I like Bo Nix, but he'll have one good game, a great game, then a disaster. Never really know what you're rolling out onto the field with him. Super mobile, exciting and has a gunslinger mentality.

Will Levis, from what I've seen, is a more mobile Kyle Trask. Some of us were wanting Trask in the first this past draft. Though the ones of us who had seen Najee on Saturdays...


IMO the only QB (right now) worth a 1st is Corral. He's likely not going to last to our pick. I'd much prefer seeing us take Jordan Davis (NT) in the first and a QB later (Nix or Levis in the 3rd?)

Spot on!!!

 

[Ron Burgundy]

I want to not like Pickett because I remember what his first few years starting at Pitt looked like, he's just developed so much and has looked very good this year. He has two years under Mark Whipple, so you know he's getting prepared for the NFL. It feels like Pickett is still a second-round guy based on things like hand size, arm strength, etc., but he will knock out his interviews and is such an easy guy to root for.

Remember what happened the last time the Steelers passed up a good QB from Pitt.

 

[Atlsteelers]

I wouldn’t expect anything else but to do their due diligence in studying QB’s coming out in 2022. Same thing I would have expected them to do in 2021 and probably 2023.

 

[SteelBuckeye]

Remember what happened the last time the Steelers passed up a good QB from Pitt.

Absolutely nothing. Peterman, Palko and Van Pelt all sucked as NFL QBs. Now that Marino guy. There was a biiiiig miss there.

 

[Drink IRON City]

I watched some of the Ole Miss - Liberty game.

I was wondering what all the buzz was about Willis. His OL sucked bad. Like ... the Liberty OL wouldn't block too many high school teams. So it was hard to determine - if not down right impossible - how good or bad Willis is or isnt. I'd suggest the only way to determine that is at the Senior Bowl, but since he's being hyped as a first round pick, he'd only hurt his stock if he played at the Senior Bowl and played badly.

Corral, IMO, is another Marcus Mariotta. Maybe a little better. But, remember, Mariotta was pretty ******* good in college. If he was there when we pick, it would he hard to NOT take him, though.

I want to like Pickett, but isnt he a 5th year senior? As such he is doing exactly what he should be doing - throwing for a lot of yards, making minimal mistakes and getting TDs. I'd think he is what he is and isnt going to get any better. if my choice were between Pickett and Sam Howell, though, I'd take Pickett twice on Sundays.

I like Bo Nix, but he'll have one good game, a great game, then a disaster. Never really know what you're rolling out onto the field with him. Super mobile, exciting and has a gunslinger mentality.

Will Levis, from what I've seen, is a more mobile Kyle Trask. Some of us were wanting Trask in the first this past draft. Though the ones of us who had seen Najee on Saturdays...


IMO the only QB (right now) worth a 1st is Corral. He's likely not going to last to our pick. I'd much prefer seeing us take Jordan Davis (NT) in the first and a QB later (Nix or Levis in the 3rd?)

Great post Supe


Wahts the odds of a high draft pick on the OL ?





Salute the nation

 

[Ike Kelly]

I watched some of the Ole Miss - Liberty game.

I was wondering what all the buzz was about Willis. His OL sucked bad. Like ... the Liberty OL wouldn't block too many high school teams. So it was hard to determine - if not down right impossible - how good or bad Willis is or isnt. I'd suggest the only way to determine that is at the Senior Bowl, but since he's being hyped as a first round pick, he'd only hurt his stock if he played at the Senior Bowl and played badly.

Corral, IMO, is another Marcus Mariotta. Maybe a little better. But, remember, Mariotta was pretty ******* good in college. If he was there when we pick, it would he hard to NOT take him, though.

I want to like Pickett, but isnt he a 5th year senior? As such he is doing exactly what he should be doing - throwing for a lot of yards, making minimal mistakes and getting TDs. I'd think he is what he is and isnt going to get any better. if my choice were between Pickett and Sam Howell, though, I'd take Pickett twice on Sundays.

I like Bo Nix, but he'll have one good game, a great game, then a disaster. Never really know what you're rolling out onto the field with him. Super mobile, exciting and has a gunslinger mentality.

Will Levis, from what I've seen, is a more mobile Kyle Trask. Some of us were wanting Trask in the first this past draft. Though the ones of us who had seen Najee on Saturdays...


IMO the only QB (right now) worth a 1st is Corral. He's likely not going to last to our pick. I'd much prefer seeing us take Jordan Davis (NT) in the first and a QB later (Nix or Levis in the 3rd?)

Good summation Supe. You can’t get a reading on Willis because his OL is so bad. However, when they do play teams closer to their level he does dominate with the RPO, but his accuracy is sub par and has NO TOUCH on his throws. He does have a cannon though. I’ve seen about five Ole Miss games and have yet seen Corrall take a meaningful snap under center. That tells me he probably lacks scheme diversity against defenses. Any QB Lane Kiffin relied on I’ve been wary of being pro ready. His concepts do not help QBs at the next level. Also, Corrall while has a nice throwing range, still has accuracy issues.

Pickett has started three years of the 5 years he’s been there and has improved each year. While they say his age is a downside, you have to believe, waiting on QBs in their 3rd year to produce or even start isn’t the norm now. Coaches and GMs don’t have the time like before, most clubs who don’t have a face of the franchise need a signal caller ready to play very soon. Pickett would fit that model.

 

[TDX27]

I watched some of the Ole Miss - Liberty game.

I was wondering what all the buzz was about Willis. His OL sucked bad. Like ... the Liberty OL wouldn't block too many high school teams. So it was hard to determine - if not down right impossible - how good or bad Willis is or isnt. I'd suggest the only way to determine that is at the Senior Bowl, but since he's being hyped as a first round pick, he'd only hurt his stock if he played at the Senior Bowl and played badly.

Corral, IMO, is another Marcus Mariotta. Maybe a little better. But, remember, Mariotta was pretty ******* good in college. If he was there when we pick, it would he hard to NOT take him, though.

I want to like Pickett, but isnt he a 5th year senior? As such he is doing exactly what he should be doing - throwing for a lot of yards, making minimal mistakes and getting TDs. I'd think he is what he is and isnt going to get any better. if my choice were between Pickett and Sam Howell, though, I'd take Pickett twice on Sundays.

I like Bo Nix, but he'll have one good game, a great game, then a disaster. Never really know what you're rolling out onto the field with him. Super mobile, exciting and has a gunslinger mentality.

Will Levis, from what I've seen, is a more mobile Kyle Trask. Some of us were wanting Trask in the first this past draft. Though the ones of us who had seen Najee on Saturdays...


IMO the only QB (right now) worth a 1st is Corral. He's likely not going to last to our pick. I'd much prefer seeing us take Jordan Davis (NT) in the first and a QB later (Nix or Levis in the 3rd?)

But, but, but, nobody uses NT's anymore.

I would love a big, dominant NT that can eat up space and command double teams. That is the anchor of a 3-4 D. I bang my head on the wall every time I hear our local pundits say we don't need a NT. Imagine what Cam, Watt and others could do with Big Snack in there. ****, we might even get to see what Bush can do.

 

[ZonaBurgh]

Remember what happened the last time the Steelers passed up a good QB from Pitt.

I think he may be gone by the time the Steelers pick, of course that will be based on how the rest of the college season goes.
And even if he is still there, I'd bet they pass.

 

[mightyguru]

Weird list seeing that many of the teams in attendance have stud or brand new shiny QBs already on the roster.

 

[SteelerFan448]

Pickett has started three years of the 5 years he’s been there and has improved each year. While they say his age is a downside, you have to believe, waiting on QBs in their 3rd year to produce or even start isn’t the norm now. Coaches and GMs don’t have the time like before, most clubs who don’t have a face of the franchise need a signal caller ready to play very soon. Pickett would fit that model.

Pickett has actually started four seasons and currently has 36 starts under his belt (39 games played) with a 29-17 record as a starter. He has over 11,000 passing yards, completed 62.3% of his passes (68.7% this year), and has a 2.4:1 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Pickett's biggest area of growth this year is probably processing the entire field. He goes through his progressions and has shown he can make about every throw. You figure Mark Whipple has worked with Roethlisberger is a good offensive mind, so Pickett's had good training the past couple of seasons. I know his hand size will be an issue and he does get happy feet when under pressure, but his growth was huge this year.

Corral and Willis seem to be the top two options and I just don't know enough about either guy. Corral has looked solid in the games I've watched. Willis seems to have enormous potential and yet has struggled against bigger named opponents. Pickett is probably next in line, unless you like Carson Strong, who reportedly doesn't fit the criteria of mobile, which Tomlin has been talking about lately.

 

[Super Dave]

Sam Howell is maybe the 3rd best QB in the ACC. However, he lost a lot of weapons from last year and his OL played like **** early in the season.

Kenny Pickett and Sam Hartman have clearly outplayed him.

Pickett looks like the real deal. Hartman just tied an ACC record held by two other QB's Russel Wilson and Matt Ryan. I believe it was for 300yard/multi touchdown games.

A sleeper QB pick of the draft could be former Richland Ram Phil Jurkovec of BC. A Notre Dame transfer to BC and has had some moments of brilliance at BC. He was injured early this year and has just returned.

 

[Superman]

one guy who seems to have fallen off the face of the earth is Nevada's Carson Strong (6'4", 215).
what's he done this season?

289 completions
410 attempts
3,197 yards
25 TDs
7 INTs

is he mobile?

makes Kent Graham look like Kordell Stewart

33 rushes
-123 yards
0 TDs

 

[steel dino]

Something tells me that the Steelers feel their QB of the future is already on the team.

 

[Ike Kelly]

Pickett has actually started four seasons and currently has 36 starts under his belt (39 games played) with a 29-17 record as a starter. He has over 11,000 passing yards, completed 62.3% of his passes (68.7% this year), and has a 2.4:1 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Pickett's biggest area of growth this year is probably processing the entire field. He goes through his progressions and has shown he can make about every throw. You figure Mark Whipple has worked with Roethlisberger is a good offensive mind, so Pickett's had good training the past couple of seasons. I know his hand size will be an issue and he does get happy feet when under pressure, but his growth was huge this year.

Corral and Willis seem to be the top two options and I just don't know enough about either guy. Corral has looked solid in the games I've watched. Willis seems to have enormous potential and yet has struggled against bigger named opponents. Pickett is probably next in line, unless you like Carson Strong, who reportedly doesn't fit the criteria of mobile, which Tomlin has been talking about lately.

Could’ve sworn DiNucci started 2 years Fan. Then again, until recently Pitt has been hot mess in consistency under Narduzzi.

 

[ZonaBurgh]

Something tells me that the Steelers feel their QB of the future is already on the team.

Recent history shows they're satisfied with a .500 team, so you may be right in your assessment.

 

[slashsteel]

I want to like a QB or two. But not sure there is a franchise in this crop. If we put all their names in a hat...I'd let you Pickett.

 

[SteelerFan448]

Something tells me that the Steelers feel their QB of the future is already on the team.

I don't see it Rudolph or Haskins being a long-term answer. Neither has shown to have the "it" factor that makes me believe they can carry this team on a deep playoff run.

Could’ve sworn DiNucci started 2 years Fan. Then again, until recently Pitt has been hot mess in consistency under Narduzzi.

DiNucci was last with Pitt in 2017.

one guy who seems to have fallen off the face of the earth is Nevada's Carson Strong (6'4", 215).
what's he done this season?

289 completions
410 attempts
3,197 yards
25 TDs
7 INTs

is he mobile?

makes Kent Graham look like Kordell Stewart

33 rushes
-123 yards
0 TDs

With how much Tomlin has spoke about mobile QBs this year, I'm not even sure this guy will be on the team's radar.

 

[Black & Gold Bleeder]

rudolph seems to me to have the talent, but always seems to play a bit nervous,,, sticking to the script if you will. Wondering what time under center would do for him. But im no QB guru. Just my observation.

 

[madinsomniac]

If by mobile they mean a guy like Mahomes or Watson great, im all for it

If they want a Lamar Jackson they are fooling themselves

A qbs first priority is passing… get a guy good at passing who can move around if needed… im slightly worried that they will focus more on the running than the passing

 

[Drink IRON City]

e either

rudolph seems to me to have the talent, but always seems to play a bit nervous,,, sticking to the script if you will. Wondering what time under center would do for him. But im no QB guru. Just my observation.

Me either but I'd bet it would get him more relaxed. Hell we don't even know what they are telling him to do as he wasn't in a very good situation at the tine. Liited play book, crappy Randy Fitchner, and a play not to lose coach ake hard for a back up QB to play freely.

Open things up and with no fear of being jerked out of the game, he might suprise us.




Salute the nation