Steelers go quarterback in first round of recent 2022 NFL mock draft

With Ben Roethlisberger clearly on his last legs, the Pittsburgh Steelers go with a quarterback early in the latest 2022 NFL mock draft. 

For the past two years now, Pittsburgh Steelers fans have started to wonder if they could actually look for a quarterback early in the draft for the first time since taking Ben Roethlisberger back in 2004. When your franchise quarterback is on his last legs, many teams try to take a proactive approach by getting his successor and allowing him to develop under the direction and guidance of their aging veteran.

The Steelers chose not to go this route. At 39 years old in 2021, Roethlisberger is playing the worst football of his professional career, as father time seems to have caught up with him quickly. With a voidable-year contract that would force Ben to re-sign with the team following the season, there is virtually no chance Pittsburgh elects to go that direction at this point barring some major changes.

While the offensive line remains a big issue that the Steelers must address, make no mistake: Kevin Colbert’s team is going to be in the market for a quarterback next April. This should have every Steelers fan thoroughly intrigued, as their decision on who to draft could make or break this team for the next decade.

A recent mock draft from Luke Esterling of Draft Wire has the Steelers going with Nevada quarterback Carson Strong with the 9th overall pick in the draft. This is a lot to digest, and a move that I can’t pretend to be comfortable with.

Steelers need a QB… just not that one

If you’ve watched any Carson Strong tape from this year, there are some traits to get excited about. Strong stands at 6’4” and his name is fitting as he has a big arm to drive the ball into tight windows are launch it down the field.

Unfortunately, Strong has a fatal flaw that I wouldn’t compromise with in today’s NFL: he has a severe lack of functional mobility.

I’ve watched Nevada tape often this season. Strong is typically well-protected, and when throwing the ball in timing, he’s one of the best college football has to offer. However, when forced to try to extend the play or make something happen, Strong doesn’t have the mobility to roll out and keep his eyes down the field. In other words, he’s a bit of a statue in the pocket.

This is reinforced by his projected 4.90 40-yard dash, according to Draft Scout. While the straight-line speed isn’t the deciding factor, Strong’s lateral mobility is arguably even worse and he really struggles to gear down and change directions.

At the very best, Strong could only hope to have a career path somewhat comparable to a player like Matt Ryan. However, the likelihood he reaches this ceiling is very slim.

In this particular mock, the Pittsburgh have their pick of the litter as not a single quarterback is off the board before the 9th overall pick. Though I need to break down these prospects even further, I’m currently conceived that taking Carson Strong this high would be a mistake.

Nobody is denying that the Steelers need a new franchise quarterback very soon, but taking Carson Strong inside the top ten with every other quarterback on the board seems like a stretch. I’m hoping they go in a different direction next April.