In the NFL there is always a chase for quarterbacks, but Pittsburgh Steelers fans haven't had to pay attention for nearly two decades. Imagine, the last time the Steelers were in the market for a quarterback, social media wasn't a thing. Everyone was worrying about their top friends, and what music they had playing on their MySpace accounts.
The NFL has been a mad house so far this week, from veteran releases, to mammoth new contracts, and of course BIG TIME trades. First it was the decision from Aaron Rodgers that he was staying in Green Bay, and then the trickle down from that resulted in Russell Wilson heading to Denver. The Colts decided to ship Carson Wentz to Washington one season after acquiring him, and the Chargers decided they needed to bulk up their pass rush to defend all of these AFC West quarterbacks so they traded for Khalil Mack.
Now normally this wouldn't affect the Steelers much. Usually as a Steelers fan you'd be pulling for other teams to reach for quarterbacks in the first round so that other talented positions would slip down the board to Pittsburgh. But now as Steelers fans we need to be hoping for teams ahead of the Steelers to get their guys in free agency or via trade.
With none of the quarterbacks being considered can't miss prospects, the likelihood of one going super early isn't good. The first potential spot could be the New York Giants at #7. They also hold the #5 selection, but if they went quarterback it would be with this pick. The Giants have Daniel Jones who they selected in the first round only a few seasons ago, but his seat is getting hotter by the day. Rumors claim that the Giants are more interested in bringing in a veteran like Mitchell Trubisky to compete rather than another rookie.
I should note that the Carolina Panthers are sandwiched between the Giants two picks at #6, and owner David Tepper reportedly loves Kenny Pickett. Tepper was a minority owner for the Steelers for years so the Pittsburgh connection is real. So the wild card could lie in the Panthers, but taking him at #6 would be a big reach. But with such a underwhelming class maybe they do reach at #6.
At #9 is the Seahawks after receiving the pick from Denver in the Wilson trade. At the moment the Seahawks need a quarterback, and Malik Willis could be the guy here. He has a similar skill set to Wilson, and Pete Carroll knows how to use a quarterback that can move with a strong arm. Now this could all change very quickly if they acquire a quarterback like Jimmy Garoppolo, or any one else in the coming weeks.
Washington is at pick #11, and could still be in the market for a rookie quarterback even though they acquired Wentz. Though with the loss of their third round draft pick, selecting a quarterback this early and ignoring other needs doesn't seem likely. Minnesota is behind Washington at #12 and they could be sniffing around the quarterback market with Kirk Cousin's likely gone after 2022. But waiting until next years crop of quarterbacks come out is probably in their best interest.
From there you fall the entire way down to #18 with the Saints, two picks ahead of the Steelers. Now the Saints could make an attempt to re-sign Jameis Winston, who they reportedly have interest in keeping, or they could choose to stick with Taysom Hill. Hill had his struggles down the stretch for the Saints last season, but they gave him a quarterback worthy contract last season. At this point Willis, and Pickett should still be on the board, and even if the Saint's decide to grab one it would leave one still there for the Steelers. By all accounts most experts consider Willis to be the better prospect, so lets say the Saint's grab Willis.
The Eagles are the only team left between the Steelers and their 20th pick, and they have Jalen Hurts. And he needs plenty of weapons because they have none at the wide receiver position.
Now we don't know what the Steelers are going to do ahead of the Draft at this point. Are they really in on Deshaun Watson? We should find out soon after his Grad Jury hearing today. Then there are the Winston rumors, Trubisky rumors, Garoppolo rumors, and it goes on. (You can click any of those to read those rumors).
But if they are sitting there with Pickett on the board at #20, I don't believe the Steelers will pass. He's a hometown kid, and no one knows more about him than the team that shares a facility with him. The Steelers attendance has fallen in recent years, and don't think that's fallen on deaf ears in the Steelers organization. Pickett would put some butts in seats. But can he play? Are his hands too small?
The Steelers path to the hometown kid doesn't seem very far fetched at this point, and it will only get more clear in the next couple of weeks.
