The Pittsburgh Steelers are in search of their next franchise quarterback as we have read time and time again since the retirement of future first ballot Hall of Fame quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger. I won’t lie, this Steelers' topic is just monotonous at this point. There has been so much speculation this offseason about who the next quarterback for the black and gold may be. The Steelers signed QB1, as of right now, Mitch Trubisky as soon as free agency began. They have done their homework on prospects coming out of the 2022 NFL Draft like Matt Corral, Desmond Ridder, Sam Howell, Carson Strong, Kenny Pickett and Malik Willis. A week away from the 2022 NFL Draft, we’ve heard from all of the talking heads about who they think the Steelers will choose and we’ve seen all of their mock draft selections that have the Steelers taking a QB. So, what’s wrong with one more?
ESPN’s Todd McShay appeared on the network’s podcast, First Draft, with Mel Kiper and Field Yates earlier this week to break down each AFC teams’ needs and possible draft prospects. Yates brought up the Steelers and immediately prefaced the homework the team has done on the quarterback position during the pre-draft process.
McShay responded by saying:
“Yeah, they have and from all indications, Malik Willis is the guy. We’ve talked about it a lot on this podcast and other shows, Malik Willis brings that running element. You already have a strong run game; you’ve got a really good defense. So, why not bring the quarterback in this class, the one quarterback that legitimately can give you a numbers advantage in the run game. You know, a lot like what we see with Lamar Jackson in Baltimore. That’s the kind of player that I suspect they’re looking to get with Mike Tomlin coming out saying we need more mobility at that position. So, Malik Willis makes sense.”
Liberty QB Malik Willis might be a surprise first-round draft pick in 2022. (Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
All that McShay mentions is complete truth and his explanation on why the Steelers would target Willis make a lot of sense! A lot of people have questions about Willis and whether or not he is worth a first round pick.
McShay continued:
“The big question is, A. Does he go number 6 overall to the Carolina Panthers? Do the Panthers instead go with Kenny Pickett and Willis starts to creep down the board a little bit? Or do the Panthers just go offensive tackle at that 6 spot and both of the quarterbacks fall. Ultimately, I think if Malik Willis starts to creep in the 10, 12, [or] 13 range the Steelers, if they like him as much as I think that they like him and as much as Hugh Freeze told me that Mike Tomlin likes him, they could wind up moving up to make sure another team doesn’t jump up ahead of them to go get Malik Willis with that pick.”
Can the Steelers land QB Malik Willis in next week’s draft? I’ve though all along it’s the perfect marriage. pic.twitter.com/u87g4WCOJz
— Todd McShay (@McShay13) April 21, 2022
McShay makes a valid, yet obvious, remark that it pretty much depends on what other quarterback-needy teams like the Panthers do ahead of the Steelers, before the Steelers make a decision on whether or not to trade up if the price is right. The Panthers are interested enough in Willis to host him on a pre-draft visit. However, the Panthers aren't the only quarterback-needy team the Steelers may have to worry about if Willis is their guy. A team like the New Orleans Saints, with two picks to make before the Steelers make their first at 20 after making a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles a couple weeks ago, may like him just as much.
See the whole episode of ESPN’s First Draft below to see what McShay has to say about other AFC teams’ draft plans, below!
If you were in the Steelers’ war room, would you suggest moving up to take Willis if he fell outside the top 10 like McShay suggests the Steelers may do? Sound off in the comment section below, or on Facebook, Twitter, and/or Instagram!
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