Steelers Draft Day Hypotheticals: A top quarterback falls to pick 20
Steelers Draft Day Hypotheticals takes a look at potential situations that could affect the Pittsburgh Steelers draft strategy and selections.
There are only two quarterbacks that have consensus first-round grades in the 2019 draft class and is unlikely either is available for Pittsburgh to select with the twentieth pick. With former Oklahoma State quarterback Mason Rudolph drafted last season as the potential heir to Ben Roethlisberger, and Roethlisberger still playing well enough for the team to compete at a high level it seems unlikely that the team will be searching for a new quarterback heading into the draft. But if they get the opportunity to select either Dwayne Haskins of Ohio State or Kyler Murray from Oklahoma they may be convinced to take a shot for their potential quarterback of the future.
The Steelers missed the playoffs last season but as long as Roethlisberger is playing good football they will have the potential to compete for a division title. They need to add a few pieces and solve some locker room issues that have arisen over the past season or two, but they are not a rebuilding team.
The twentieth overall pick could become an instant contributor in Pittsburgh and would likely have a lot bigger impact next season than either quarterback would for the Steelers. They also have to consider the locker room implications that would stem from the selection of another quarterback.
There have already been questions about the team’s locker room attitude and Big Ben would likely not be happy to see his replacement every day. It is one thing to have a mid-round pick on the roster but when you select someone in the first round it sends a lot stronger message.
Haskins is likely the first quarterback off the board. He has all the tools teams look for in a franchise quarterback, he is a more prototypical pocket passer than Murray due to his size and big arm. He was a relative unknown heading into the season due to limited playing time at Ohio State but burst onto the scene displaying excellent accuracy and poise in the pocket en route to over 4,500 yards and 50 touchdowns. Teams could be scared by his limited number of starts, but as the season progressed he showed that he is more than just a system quarterback.
If Haskins somehow makes it to the twentieth overall pick the Steelers should not hesitate to pull the trigger.
Murray is a different player than Haskins and has to overcome huge height limitations, but was the most prolific player in college football last season. He is a lot more likely to be available at pick 20 for Pittsburgh largely because of concerns about his dedication to football. He needs to convince teams that he is all in on football and is willing to give up his opportunity to play professional baseball.
As a football player, he is fantastic. I am not too worried about his height because the game is trending away from the tall pocket passers. He is very accurate and has mastered delivering the ball from all angles to negate his height disadvantage. He displays a lot of the same skills that made fellow Sooner, Baker Mayfield, the top pick last season.
The 2018 Heisman trophy recipient is a winner, and that should continue in the NFL. I love what Murray brings to the table, but he is a lot different player than what the Steelers are accustomed too and would likely require a lot of confidence from the organization for them to pull the trigger.
The bottom line is that the Steelers would like to add a player that can contribute immediately with their first-round pick this offseason, but will have to at least consider a quarterback. Ben isn’t going to play forever and franchise quarterbacks are hard to come by. If I worked in the front office I would consider drafting a quarterback at some point every draft until he retires if there is any doubt at all that the future starter is already on the roster.
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When it comes down to it I expect Pittsburgh to select Dwayne Haskins in the unlikely event that he is available when they pick, but as much faith as I have in Kyler Murray to be a franchise quarterback I would bet against the Steelers selecting him if he falls to the twentieth pick.