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In 2004, the Pittsburgh Steelers would make a franchise-changing decision in the NFL Draft. The Steelers selected Ben Roethlisberger with the 11th overall pick, a young star quarterback out of Miami University (OH). Throughout the next 18 seasons, the Steelers failed to have a single losing season, won eight division titles, three conference championships, and two Super Bowls. During his career with the Steelers, Roethlisberger established himself as a Hall of Fame-caliber quarterback and slowly turned himself into one of, if not the greatest to ever don the Black and Gold.
Nearly two decades later, the Steelers will once again face the issue of finding a new quarterback. With the 20th overall pick in the draft, the Steelers could easily decide to draft a quarterback this April, although there are many reasons that the franchise should not look to the draft just yet.
The first and most obvious reason that the Steelers should avoid drafting a quarterback is the offensive line. Overall, the Steelers’ O-line may be the worst in the NFL — and by a wide margin. With issues to fix all over the offense and defense, Pittsburgh will likely need to go to the draft and look in free agency to restructure their team before taking in a young quarterback.
The 2020 Cincinnati Bengals are a prime example of why the franchise needs to revamp their offensive line. After taking Joe Burrow, a generational talent, with the No. 1 overall pick in 2020, the young star promptly tore his ACL only a few weeks into the season after taking numerous vicious hits. Though Joe Burrow has since blossomed into a star, he still takes a beating, and injuries could plague his future with Cincinnati. The Steelers likely will not be getting their own Joe Burrow at pick 20 anyway, so there is no reason to risk it with a young quarterback just yet.
As previously stated, the Steelers will make their first-round draft selection with the 20th pick. With 19 teams picking before Pittsburgh, there is a good chance that any worthwhile quarterback will be off the table by the time the Steelers are on the clock. Of the 19 teams that will draft before the Steelers, around half of them need a quarterback heading into next season.
One way this could be avoided would be to trade up, though that may not be in the franchise’s best interest. Trading up to a top-10 pick would likely mean giving up more than the Steelers get in return. Draft capital is something that the franchise does not have much of right now, and giving away the team’s future in exchange for an unproven player is too risky to make a deal.
One of, if not the biggest, reason that the Steelers should not draft a quarterback is the limited potential of this draft class. With a shallow ceiling for most quarterbacks entering this year’s draft, taking one of these unproven rookies after giving up draft stock before beefing up the rest of the team could be risky business. Of the available players, the two most likely candidates to be taken by Pittsburgh are Kenny Pickett and Malik Willis.
Pickett, who had a breakout season in 2021 at the University of Pittsburgh, has raised some concerns about his pro-readiness and the size of his hands. In fact, Pickett actually may still be around come time for the Steelers to draft, and it is a possibility that Pickett slips to the second or third rounds. If available, the Steelers could take him later in the draft but should not look to take him with the 20th pick.
Malik Willis, on the other hand, has turned some heads within the Steelers organization, especially with head coach Mike Tomlin. Willis had seemingly continued this trend during the NFL Combine and might find himself at the top of Pittsburgh’s draft board. No one is quite sure how good Willis really is coming out of Liberty University, a school that was just promoted to D1-FBS a few seasons ago. Even though the Steelers’ last small-school quarterback did well for them, there is no guarantee that Willis will fit in the same, and the safest move is to wait for a more-proven player in a future draft.
Unless this draft is projected to have the next Ben Roethlisberger or Joe Burrow, the Steelers should focus on fixing the teams other needs before taking a big swing at an unproven quarterback.
Do you think that the Steelers should draft a quarterback this year? Or should the franchise wait another year or two for a better option to build around? Let us know in the comment section below!
#SteelerNation
Support SteelerNation by clicking here to read the story..
Nearly two decades later, the Steelers will once again face the issue of finding a new quarterback. With the 20th overall pick in the draft, the Steelers could easily decide to draft a quarterback this April, although there are many reasons that the franchise should not look to the draft just yet.
Reason One: The offensive line
The first and most obvious reason that the Steelers should avoid drafting a quarterback is the offensive line. Overall, the Steelers’ O-line may be the worst in the NFL — and by a wide margin. With issues to fix all over the offense and defense, Pittsburgh will likely need to go to the draft and look in free agency to restructure their team before taking in a young quarterback.
The 2020 Cincinnati Bengals are a prime example of why the franchise needs to revamp their offensive line. After taking Joe Burrow, a generational talent, with the No. 1 overall pick in 2020, the young star promptly tore his ACL only a few weeks into the season after taking numerous vicious hits. Though Joe Burrow has since blossomed into a star, he still takes a beating, and injuries could plague his future with Cincinnati. The Steelers likely will not be getting their own Joe Burrow at pick 20 anyway, so there is no reason to risk it with a young quarterback just yet.
Reason Two: Trading up
As previously stated, the Steelers will make their first-round draft selection with the 20th pick. With 19 teams picking before Pittsburgh, there is a good chance that any worthwhile quarterback will be off the table by the time the Steelers are on the clock. Of the 19 teams that will draft before the Steelers, around half of them need a quarterback heading into next season.
One way this could be avoided would be to trade up, though that may not be in the franchise’s best interest. Trading up to a top-10 pick would likely mean giving up more than the Steelers get in return. Draft capital is something that the franchise does not have much of right now, and giving away the team’s future in exchange for an unproven player is too risky to make a deal.
Reason Three: Quarterback value
One of, if not the biggest, reason that the Steelers should not draft a quarterback is the limited potential of this draft class. With a shallow ceiling for most quarterbacks entering this year’s draft, taking one of these unproven rookies after giving up draft stock before beefing up the rest of the team could be risky business. Of the available players, the two most likely candidates to be taken by Pittsburgh are Kenny Pickett and Malik Willis.
Pickett, who had a breakout season in 2021 at the University of Pittsburgh, has raised some concerns about his pro-readiness and the size of his hands. In fact, Pickett actually may still be around come time for the Steelers to draft, and it is a possibility that Pickett slips to the second or third rounds. If available, the Steelers could take him later in the draft but should not look to take him with the 20th pick.
Malik Willis, on the other hand, has turned some heads within the Steelers organization, especially with head coach Mike Tomlin. Willis had seemingly continued this trend during the NFL Combine and might find himself at the top of Pittsburgh’s draft board. No one is quite sure how good Willis really is coming out of Liberty University, a school that was just promoted to D1-FBS a few seasons ago. Even though the Steelers’ last small-school quarterback did well for them, there is no guarantee that Willis will fit in the same, and the safest move is to wait for a more-proven player in a future draft.
Unless this draft is projected to have the next Ben Roethlisberger or Joe Burrow, the Steelers should focus on fixing the teams other needs before taking a big swing at an unproven quarterback.
Do you think that the Steelers should draft a quarterback this year? Or should the franchise wait another year or two for a better option to build around? Let us know in the comment section below!
#SteelerNation
Support SteelerNation by clicking here to read the story..
