Steelers take a quarterback in the first-round of latest 2021 NFL mock draft

The Steelers are going to be looking for Ben Roethlisberger’s replacement soon. Here’s why a new 2021 mock draft has them taking Georgia’s, Jamie Newman.

The 2020 NFL season isn’t even close to the beginning, and already NFL analysts are making predictions about next year’s draft. The Pittsburgh Steelers were without their first-round pick this past April, and many still predicted they would look at quarterback early in the process. Though that didn’t happen, there seems to be a very good chance Pittsburgh will take one in next year’s draft.

Ben Roethlisberger is returning from a torn ligament in his elbow that required season-ending surgery. As a result, he’s played just a game-and-a-half of regular-season action since 2018 and is now 38 years old.

Though the arrow seems to be pointed up regarding his recovery process, it remains to be seen how the aging quarterback will bounce back in his 17th NFL season. But despite how Ben may return to the field, there’s no question quarterback is something that will be on the Steelers minds next April.

In the latest 2021 NFL mock draft from CBS Sports, Tom Fornelli has the Steelers going with recent Georgia transfer quarterback, Jamie Newman. In this mock, Fornelli used SportsLine’s projected season win totals to give the steelers the 26th overall pick in the draft where they take the intriguing quarterback prospect.

Newman played his first three seasons for Wake Forest before Transferring to Georgia for the 2020 season. He played just seven games for the Demon Deacons before becoming a full-time starter in 2019. This past year, Newman managed 2,868 passing yards to go with 26 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, as he opened eyes during his first season as a starter.

Listed at 6’4” and 230 pounds, Newman has intriguing size for the position, and his physical tools aren’t lacking. Newman possesses a big arm and enough touch to drop the ball in a bucket down the field. While he may not be an electrifying runner of the football, he has enough mobility to earn him 574 yards on the ground to go with 6 rushing touchdowns last season.

Though Roethlisberger is still under contract for the 2021 season, he is set to become the highest-paid player in the league next year with a cap hit of $41.25 million, according to Over the Cap. The Steelers will likely ride out his contract, and Ben could elect to retire before the 2022 season.

If this is the case, Newman could get a year to sit and learn behind the future Hall of Fame quarterback before being asked to take the reigns in his second sesaon.

If the Steelers really do end up with the 26th pick in next year’s draft, quarterbacks like Trevor Lawrence, Justin Fields, and Trey Lance could be out of the question. Newman has some solid traits. If he can improve at Georgia during his senior season, he could end up being a first-round pick in 2021.