Why the Steelers should draft a quarterback in 2021
Other quarterback options
There are some other quarterbacks out there the Steelers could attempt to draft. The top three are Trevor Lawrence quarterback Clemson and Justin Fields, the quarterback at Ohio State, and Zach Wilson the quarterback at BYU. All three will be eventual starters in the NFL at some point. They all have enough talent to eventually succeed Rothlisberger as the Steelers’ field general when Big Ben finally retires. Unfortunately, the chances of the Steelers being able to draft either one is virtually non-existent. Unless the Steelers orchestrate a trade to get a higher selection in the draft as they did to get Devin Bush, neither will be in a Steelers uniform.
If a worst-case scenario happens and the Steelers lose their last four games, slide into the playoffs, and lose in the first round, they could possibly swing a trade to get one of them. Still, that prospect seems unlikely at best. In that case, there are three other potential quarterbacks they could pick up.
Of the other possibilities, there is Jamie Newman Quarterback from Georgia. Right now, where Newman goes is pure conjecture. Some have him ranked in the top five, others much lower. Part of the fluctuation is he transferred from Wake Forest. So he has not had much playing time in Georgia, then opted for the NFL. Some think had he not opted for the NFL; he could be on par with Kyle Trask. So scouts will have little to go on in his evaluation. He is 6’4” and 225. He’s big and physical. Other than that, there are some open-ended questions of his skill, which may ultimately hurt him. He does have some deep throwing accuracy, though.
So ultimately, he may drop to somewhere between rounds 2-5. Given the questions around his ability, it’s not beyond the pale he could be a diamond in the rough. Even Tom Brady was a 6th round draft choice. Whether Newman could be the heir to Big Ben or another Mason Rudolph is another matter. So if not Newman, the Steelers have two other potential quarterbacks they could consider as a replacement for Roethlisberger. Assuming a low draft choice will do the trick.