3 scenarios for the Steelers 24th pick in the 2021 NFL Draft

The Super Bowl is set to be played this Sunday, February 7th, and while the Steelers lost a heartbreaker a month ago, all eyes are placed on the 2021 NFL Draft.

While this draft will not feature a combine, which is upsetting, this does not stop the Steelers from figuring out their future. There are a few scenarios in which the 24th pick can be used, whether it is staying put, trading up, or perhaps moving back a few spots. Today, I will be breaking down three scenarios that the Steelers can do with the 24th pick to get them back on track after a disappointing year.

Scenario 1- The Steelers draft Mac Jones with the 24th pick

Ben Roethlisberger does not have much left in the tank, and after stating that he is willing to take a pay cut, it is clear that this might be Ben’s last year. Rather than wait another season with the chance the Steelers run the table and win big, the Steelers should start to look for Ben’s successor, and a great player would be Mac Jones.

After winning the National Title with Alabama, Mac Jones had an impressive Senior Bowl showing, which has helped his draft stock. While I believe Jones is still a late first-round pick, the Steelers would be smart to go ahead and select Jones despite other holes to fill. Alex Leatherwood and Liam Eichenberg have been two names linked to the Steelers, but in a loaded offensive line class, the Steelers can take it easy and wait until a later pick. Mac Jones learning under one of the greats in Big Ben would be a massive step in his development as there are still a few questions regarding his play.

Jones has been compared to the likes of Joe Burrow coming out of college, and despite Burrow’s injury, this is an honor to be compared to. We saw Patrick Mahomes, Aaron Rodgers, and now Jordan Love all sit their first season as they learned the system and got to be in the quarterback room with their respective quarterbacks, which has proved to be worth it. I believe the Steelers should go on a similar route and take the risk of selecting Jones so that they are not scrambling to find a new quarterback who does not know the system next year. We will see what the Steelers choose to do, and while Mac Jones will not be an impact player right out of the gate, his future looks bright, and with the right help, this would be a home run pick in years to come.