4 NFL Draft prospects Steelers can’t pass on in first round in April

Steelers should draft Howell

For those of you that have been following along with me, I have very much been in the camp that the Steelers should sign a quarterback this offseason instead of drafting one early. That said, there is one prospect that makes a lot of sense for the team. Sam Howell had a down year as a passer in 2021, but he has all the traits to be a quality NFL quarterback. If he falls to the team in the first round, he should be the pick.

Howell was one of the hottest quarterbacks in college football for his first two seasons, as he was passing all over the ACC. Ne schemes and teammates led to Howell becoming more of a running quarterback than a pure passer in 2021, and as a result, his stock has fallen this season. That said, he still has the arm strength and accuracy to be a quality starting quarterback. He doesn’t progress through reads well and would need to adjust to an NFL offense, but he has all the tools to be good.

If he lands with the Steelers, the plan should still be to start a veteran at the position. Despite some solid numbers Howell isn’t ready to start in the NFL, but a season of practicing reading through progressions adjusting to NFL defenses would be huge. Long-term, he has everything a team would want in a quarterback. The arm talent is there (even if he does have his inconsistencies) and his mobility is impressive. It would take a season before seeing the true results of the pick, but Howell has to be in play if he falls to the Steelers.

The Steelers will be in a unique position in 2022, as the team will be rebuilding a new roster as the old one should see some serious turnover. Hitting on the top pick will be vital to the long-term success of the team. These four first-round prospects would be hard to pass on if they fell to the Steelers in 2022.