Draft capital is not necessarily on the side of the Pittsburgh Steelers as the annual event is rapidly approaching. The team is without fifth and sixth round picks and has a long break between the fourth and seventh rounds without making any selections. It helps to have the 32nd overall pick that was acquired when trading wide receiver, Chase Claypool to the Chicago Bears.
Former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver, Chase Claypool practices with his new team, the Chicago Bears for one of the first times after being traded in November of 2022. | MaryKate Drews/Chicago Bears
That doesn't mean the organization is satisfied with the amount of picks they are set to have. There has been a lot of talk about a trade up in the first round, but not too much noise regarding a trade down early on.
The most important position in the NFL today is, without a doubt, the quarterback. It's hard to compete at a high level without a franchise guy leading the way and there are several options early on in the 2023 NFL Draft. One player who is rising quickly on draft boards and could have the potential to be a first round pick is University of Tennessee signal-caller, Hendon Hooker.
The Steelers are not in the market for a quarterback with second-year player, Kenny Pickett expected to be the future, but the franchise could absolutely take advantage of the Hooker sweepstakes. If he continues to climb, a team desperate enough and looking for a quarterback like the Seattle Seahawks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Minnesota Vikings might be enticed to go after him.
All three of those teams pick after Pittsburgh at #17 and if the race for Hooker continues to heat up, the Steelers might find it worthwhile to shop the selection in order to gain capital throughout the draft. Without needing a quarterback, it could be a bigger advantage than previously thought.
Former University of Tennessee quarterback, Hendon Hooker (#5) prepares to make a throw in college. | Photo Credit: Bryan Lynn / USA Today
In Mel Kiper's newest mock draft for ESPN, he has the Seahawks trading back into the first round to select Hooker with the 30th overall selection. With the 32nd overall pick and first selection in the second round, Pittsburgh could have teams calling after the first round ends if Hooker falls into day two.
More draft capital would certainly be nice and there's no reason for general manager, Omar Khan to not swindle a QB-needy team that is desperate to take the top quarterback available. Hooker was originally expected to go in the third round or later, but the next two weeks will likely see his stock continue to creep up on draft boards.
The value of both the 17th and 32nd overall picks, especially if a top signal-caller is still on the board, is going to be worth more than just the fifth and/or sixth round picks that the Steelers currently do not have. An unexpected candidate in Hooker might be the reason that Pittsburgh is able to be more successful in the draft.
University of Tennessee quarterback, Hendon Hooker (#5) stands in the pocket and looks downfield for a receiver. | Photo Credit: Bryan Lynn / USA TODAY Sports
Steelers Need To Take Advantage Of Today's QB-Driven League
Someone is going to be willing to overpay to move up in the draft and select Hooker. It becoming a reality for the Steelers at pick #17 isn't as likely as #32, but the organization should be shopping one of their picks if the sense is that another franchise is looking to give up capital to select Hooker.
Do you think Pittsburgh should shop one of their first two picks so a team can draft Hooker? Let us know in the comments below!
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