The Pittsburgh Steelers are not in the market for a quarterback in the 2023 NFL Draft, but the University of Florida's Anthony Richardson's exceptional showing at the 2023 NFL Combine should be something the organization is happy about. By posting some historic numbers, Richardson has vaulted himself into contention to potentially be the first quarterback selected in April, which is good for the team this year and should reassure them about decisions they made on draft day last year.
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Anthony Richardson impressed scouts with his speed and accuracy at the 2023 NFL Combine.
It's hard to tell if Richardson will be selected before Alabama's Bryce Young, Ohio State's CJ Stroud, or Kentucky's Will Levis in a loaded rookie class at the position, but his combine has put him firmly amongst a group that is likely all going to be off the board by at least pick 10.
From our Combine coverage: #Florida QB Anthony Richardson has helped himself a ton this week. pic.twitter.com/mbLJwj0NWM
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 5, 2023
Recent mock drafts see the quarterbacks by Dane Brugler of The Athletic had all the big four guys off the board by pick seven with the Las Vegas Raiders taking Levis at that spot, while Todd McShay of ESPN had the Kentucky product as the last signal caller taken of the group at nine by the Carolina Panthers.
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University of Kentucky quarterback Will Levis seems to be the consensus to be the last of the big-name quarterbacks to go in the first round.
Why All This Matters To The Steelers
There are two big reasons the organization should care about the rise of the quarterbacks in this draft and they both stem from having drafted Kenny Pickett last offseason. First, due to having Pickett in place as a starter already, the Steelers don't need to be involved with any potential trades this year to try their luck with any of this year's class. They have the guy they want under center for the foreseeable future and he might even be a better option than the rookies in the class of 2023. He's already proven himself to be better so far than most of the quarterbacks he was drafted with in 2022 and there remains a debate between him and Brock Purdy of the San Fransisco 49ers, but the former Pittsburgh Panther showed what it takes to be the starter going forward.
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Steelers Kenny Pickett will be out to prove in year two the organization made the right call getting him in the draft.
The second reason this matters to the organization is that with four quarterback-needy teams grabbing them early, it will allow the Steelers to potentially address some of their multiple needs at cornerback, offensive line, or even linebacker with some of the other risers at the combine they've been watching.
It will be fun to see from an outsider's perspective now how the quarterback drafting goes in April and what it leaves on the board for Pittsburgh at pick 17. If the Las Vegas Raiders and Indianapolis Colts both decide to add a quarterback in round one, that could add two new young fresh faces to the AFC that Pittsburgh would have to potentially worry about.
So, Steeler Nation, do you think the team was smart to get Pickett last year and not be in the market for a quarterback in this draft? Where do you rank him amongst the quarterbacks in the draft this year? What position do you think is the best option to draft in the first round?
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