There is No Denying It; Steelers Highly Interested in Drafting a QB

[SteelerSask2]

I'm starting to think the Steelers draft strategy might be this. If their dream guy falls in the first they will take him. If he doesn't they may either drop out of the first and take their fallback in the second or take a stud in the first and move up in the second. They are just looking at these Q's too closely. One is gonna get picked AT 1.20.OR 2.52. OR moved up or back for.

 

[KStilley]

Fields can actually throw the ball. He's not a run first QB. For that matter, so can Murray.
If you take last year's QBs, Lawrence was supposed to set the world on fire. Sure H.O.F. QB. He struggled. So did Zach whats'isname from the Jets (who was actually more of a running QB in college than Fields iirc). Point being, after one year, it's a little early to throw Fields in with Jackson. And definitely early to throw any of those QBs drafted last year under the bus. Even the ones who are supposed to be non-running, prototypical, NFL QBs we like, like Lawrence - who seems to get a pass for being ****** last year while Fields does not. j/s

Fields definitely is a throw first QB. He runs when he has to and playing with the Bears he's been handicapped. I'm hoping the poor kid gets some weapons. I don't think Lawrence gets a pass, he's in a similar situation and the criticism may be a bit muted because no one watches them. They're not in any prime time games. The only national attention was the last game of the season.

 

[Drink IRON City]

As much attention as these QBs are being given it is easy to assume they are picking one.

They must not be full in on Trubisky but have him set up that if he succeeds they can re-up him.

There currently is room for Rudy to fight it out and get his chance as well.

This year's draft class is weak but should they grab one it is set up for him to "clip-board" for a yesr pending on Mitch. A lot can happen in a year for a near ready player and that is what we will be drafting, a near ready player with the risk of if the player can "finish" out his readiness.

That's the GAMBLE !!!





Salute the nation

 

[KStilley]

DIC, I certainly agree that any quarterback taken is a gamble especially this season. Mahomes and Rodgers sat albeit Rodgers much longer than he should have and Mahomes' first year probably was a better option than Smith but they went the conservative route.

What worries me and all of us of course is taking a guy early who is always going to wear that baseball cap and headphones on the sidelines while the offense is out on the field. I think Willis and Howell is that guy.

I understand game tape is more important but Liberty's competition and his desire to transfer there from Auburn has me concerned. His pro day was not impressive, the media always shows the deep pass and droll over the strength of someone's arm. They didn't comment on his short over the middle routes that were belly high and a few that were on the wrong hip. One seam to the tight end was poorly thrown and the second soft as if he wanted to make sure it was accurate. He's not tall and the majority of his throws over the middle would never get past the line of scrimmage unless he has a ten foot wide alley. Even one of his deep passes was so high I'm surprised it didn't hit the ceiling and took forever. I'm very pessimistic.

 

[ianv2012]

DIC, I certainly agree that any quarterback taken is a gamble especially this season. Mahomes and Rodgers sat albeit Rodgers much longer than he should have and Mahomes' first year probably was a better option than Smith but they went the conservative route.

What worries me and all of us of course is taking a guy early who is always going to wear that baseball cap and headphones on the sidelines while the offense is out on the field. I think Willis and Howell is that guy.

I understand game tape is more important but Liberty's competition and his desire to transfer there from Auburn has me concerned. His pro day was not impressive, the media always shows the deep pass and droll over the strength of someone's arm. They didn't comment on his short over the middle routes that were belly high and a few that were on the wrong hip. One seam to the tight end was poorly thrown and the second soft as if he wanted to make sure it was accurate. He's not tall and the majority of his throws over the middle would never get past the line of scrimmage unless he has a ten foot wide alley. Even one of his deep passes was so high I'm surprised it didn't hit the ceiling and took forever. I'm very pessimistic.

Regardless of the other things you said, that height argument can't be used, he's not a shrimp. Russell Wilson, Drew Brees, even Kyler Murray have showed you can play in this league being around 6'0 tall

 

[slashsteel]

Regardless of the other things you said, that height argument can't be used, he's not a shrimp. Russell Wilson, Drew Brees, even Kyler Murray have showed you can play in this league being around 6'0 tall

Those are the exceptions I would think not necessarily the rule. They have what two SB wins? Those multi win QBs weren't short. And yes height isn't the only factor but it is one of the factors and shouldn't be dismissed.

 

[ZonaBurgh]

Your 1st round pick should not be a gamble, I'll just leave it at that.

 

[KStilley]

Drew Brees was extremely accurate and Russell Wilson is not far behind. Murray's story is still up in the air. I understand Willis is a work in progress but that incompasses everything. Reading defenses, scanning the field under pressure, touch, accuracy let alone when there's a bunch of big bodies in front of you, confidence (transferring to Liberty).

 

[SteelerFan448]

My greatest draft wish outside of my likes for the draft is that he is drafted early by someone else. I was looking at who had what the other day plenty of teams can use a QB. Houston,Gmen,Panthers, Saints, Atlanta, just off the top of my head there is more. Hopefully one of the do the reaching. Please.

1.2: Detroit - Goff isn't the long-term answer and they're taking a QB at some point. This feels at bit steep. Realistically, they'll probably have a shot at one of the top two guys next year.

1.3: Houston - I think they give Mills a chance and take a shot at a QB next year.

1.6: Carolina - They're desperate for a QB and Pickett just feels like the guy they go with.

1.8: Atlanta - If Pickett goes to Carolina, Willis feels like a great fit for Atlanta. They just traded Matt Ryan and don't have a long-term answer. Willis would be playing for an offensive-minded coach. I'm not sure they'd go with Corral.

1.9: Seattle - Lock isn't the answer and is just stopgap until Seattle can find their next guy. If Pickett and Willis are gone, I don't see them going QB. Willis is more in the Wilson mold while Pickett is more in the Hasselbeck mold. I could see Corral going here.

1.11: Washington - Like Carolina and Atlanta, Washington has been sending their top brass to watch the QBs. Another landing spot for one of the top two. With so many QB struggles over the years, Corral may be worth the pick here.

1.13: Houston - Houston isn't taking a QB at the top of the draft, however, at this spot one comes into play.

1.18: New Orleans - The Saints probably want a QB, but with a new head coach and Winston having success prior to his injury last year, I think they try to surround him with talent.

1.20: Pittsburgh - This is so hard to predict. They could easily go quarterback here if any of the top four guys are available (I really hope Howell isn't in consideration). However, wide receiver and defensive line are pretty big needs and there should be at least one top receiver and one top DL available. I don't think they'd go in this direction, but Zion Johnson would be another nice pick to solidify the IOL.

 

[slashsteel]

1.2: Detroit - Goff isn't the long-term answer and they're taking a QB at some point. This feels at bit steep. Realistically, they'll probably have a shot at one of the top two guys next year.

1.3: Houston - I think they give Mills a chance and take a shot at a QB next year.

1.6: Carolina - They're desperate for a QB and Pickett just feels like the guy they go with.

1.8: Atlanta - If Pickett goes to Carolina, Willis feels like a great fit for Atlanta. They just traded Matt Ryan and don't have a long-term answer. Willis would be playing for an offensive-minded coach. I'm not sure they'd go with Corral.

1.9: Seattle - Lock isn't the answer and is just stopgap until Seattle can find their next guy. If Pickett and Willis are gone, I don't see them going QB. Willis is more in the Wilson mold while Pickett is more in the Hasselbeck mold. I could see Corral going here.

1.11: Washington - Like Carolina and Atlanta, Washington has been sending their top brass to watch the QBs. Another landing spot for one of the top two. With so many QB struggles over the years, Corral may be worth the pick here.

1.13: Houston - Houston isn't taking a QB at the top of the draft, however, at this spot one comes into play.

1.18: New Orleans - The Saints probably want a QB, but with a new head coach and Winston having success prior to his injury last year, I think they try to surround him with talent.

1.20: Pittsburgh - This is so hard to predict. They could easily go quarterback here if any of the top four guys are available (I really hope Howell isn't in consideration). However, wide receiver and defensive line are pretty big needs and there should be at least one top receiver and one top DL available. I don't think they'd go in this direction, but Zion Johnson would be another nice pick to solidify the IOL.

From the reports they did a lot of talking to Zion. I would presume they are high on him. I really don't care for Howell either. Hopefully that isn't the pick.

 

[BamaSteeler52]

Traditionally TEs were blockers, ILBs were thumpers .... until they weren't. The game evolves.

But TEs still need to block.
Steelers are single handedly proving the need for a thumper at LB that can standup and shed OL blocks rather than take bad angles around them.

 

[SteelBuckeye]

But TEs still need to block.
Steelers are single handedly proving the need for a thumper at LB that can standup and shed OL blocks rather than take bad angles around them.

My point wasn't that TEs don't need to block, or that you don't need at least one ILB who can thump. Rather it was that the TE position has evolved to the point where your TE1 is being asked to be a better "move" TE while still being able to block. He needs to be above average as both a blocker and receiver in today's game. Similarly, the ILB position has evolved in such a manner that you need at least one of your ILBs, preferably both, to not only be stout against the run, but able to cover TEs and RBs. In the old days, an ILB's coverage ability was a plus, not a necessity.

As the game evolving relates to the QB position, you want your franchise guy to be able to pass from the pocket AND have the mobility to get outside the pocket to pass. Additionally, it's almost becoming necessary that he can add something to the running game. I'm not talking about a Lamar type that runs first, but rather, a QB who has the ability to take what the defense gives and make positive yardage on the run. One who has the mobility and ability that you can also design a few running plays for him. Think about how Mahomes, Herbert and Allen gashed our defense with their legs this past season. The days of the immobile QB standing in the pocket like a statue all game long are coming to an end.

 

[ianv2012]

Your 1st round pick should not be a gamble, I'll just leave it at that.

Every first round pick is projection, there are no guarantees, especially picking at the bottom of the first round. There always guys that are sure fire superstars that flame out or end up being mediocre. The Draft is always a gamble hence why it's not an exact science

 

[BamaSteeler52]

My point wasn't that TEs don't need to block, or that you don't need at least one ILB who can thump. Rather it was that the TE position has evolved to the point where your TE1 is being asked to be a better "move" TE while still being able to block. He needs to be above average as both a blocker and receiver in today's game. Similarly, the ILB position has evolved in such a manner that you need at least one of your ILBs, preferably both, to not only be stout against the run, but able to cover TEs and RBs. In the old days, an ILB's coverage ability was a plus, not a necessity.

As the game evolving relates to the QB position, you want your franchise guy to be able to pass from the pocket AND have the mobility to get outside the pocket to pass. Additionally, it's almost becoming necessary that he can add something to the running game. I'm not talking about a Lamar type that runs first, but rather, a QB who has the ability to take what the defense gives and make positive yardage on the run. One who has the mobility and ability that you can also design a few running plays for him. Think about how Mahomes, Herbert and Allen gashed our defense with their legs this past season. The days of the immobile QB standing in the pocket like a statue all game long are coming to an end.

I don't disagree and I agree about having a QB with pocket awareness and the ability to extend plays with their feet. We had that with Ben for a long time. Arm to make all the throws, accuracy, pocket mobility, eyes down the field looking through progressions. I think most QBs are more athletic today. Guys like Lamar don't win championships...

 

[SteelBuckeye]

I don't disagree and I agree about having a QB with pocket awareness and the ability to extend plays with their feet. We had that with Ben for a long time. Arm to make all the throws, accuracy, pocket mobility, eyes down the field looking through progressions. I think most QBs are more athletic today. Guys like Lamar don't win championships...

I think teams, especially the Steelers, would be wise to stay away from guys on either extreme end of the QB spectrum; pure (and only) pocket passers and the "one read and run" guys. Today's league chews them both up. Along those lines it was interesting to note that only the QB coach was present at Carson Strong's pro day; while Tomlin, Colbert, and damn near the whole building went to see the other four.

 

[stuntmanmike]

Of course they are that’s why we are 9-7 there is no qb in this draft for Pittsburgh Steelers let me repeat there is no qb in this draft for the Pittsburgh Steelers… let’s look at the record of Steeler qb draft picks… spotty at best. Terry was draft by noll and a very top pick Ben just fell into our lap st Dan had to intervene to draft him… all the others qbs like the in qbs in this draft Not Steeler qbs. Put as many pieces in place for Harris and trubisky to be successful leave the next great Steeler qb to the football gods and the Fates.

 

[Stryker]

For mobile QBs, height is not as much of an issue if they can get to the edges.

Also IOL is off of our board with the 2FAs ERFA and 3rd rounder we have that can all play G/C, and that doesn't even count Dotson.

 

[ZonaBurgh]

Every first round pick is projection, there are no guarantees, especially picking at the bottom of the first round. There always guys that are sure fire superstars that flame out or end up being mediocre. The Draft is always a gamble hence why it's not an exact science

Granted, nothing in life is guaranteed, but a NT,OL is more likely to pan out than stretching for a QB at 1.20, or in this years class, any of them with a 1st round pick.

 

[ZonaBurgh]

For mobile QBs, height is not as much of an issue if they can get to the edges.

But what happens when that "mobile" QB looses a step and can't quite get to the edge anymore?
I realize this is all personal opinion for all of us and will have absolutely no effect on who the Steelers pick, I just don't see any of the available QB's being that guy.