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Steelers 2022 NFL Draft preview: Top-3 quarterbacks

By Ryan Pawloski

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 11: Sam Howell #7 of the North Carolina Tar Heels warms up during their game against the Georgia State Panthers at Kenan Memorial Stadium on September 11, 2021 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 11: Sam Howell #7 of the North Carolina Tar Heels warms up during their game against the Georgia State Panthers at Kenan Memorial Stadium on September 11, 2021 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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CINCINNATI, OHIO – NOVEMBER 06: Desmond Ridder #9 of the Cincinnati Bearcats runs for a touchdown. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OHIO – NOVEMBER 06: Desmond Ridder #9 of the Cincinnati Bearcats runs for a touchdown. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

The Steelers search for a new signal-caller is just about to begin and these top quarterback prospects could be a target in the draft.

The Pittsburgh Steelers will enter next season with a new starting quarterback after Ben Roethlisberger walks away from the game. The veteran got the team to the playoffs but his age is showing with his loss of abilities and efficient play. His time will be done and a new-age at the position will be magnified heading into the offseason.

Rumors have swirled that the black and gold could look for a veteran option in 2022 but the draft is another viable plan. There are some interesting names out there but this class is not the strongest. Most of these prospects coming out of college have their individual question marks.

This will be a major need for Pittsburgh as a quarterback is the most important position in all of football. There are a ton of other needs but they will have all their focus on this position, especially if it is not addressed in the free agency period of the offseason.

Honorable mentions

Desmond Ridder, QB, Cincinnati 

Desmond Ridder is a boom or bust candidate coming out of a small program that had a huge year and made it into the college football playoffs. Ridder was a big reason for this program’s ascension, including playing well against bigger programs like Notre Dame. He is currently projected as a second or third-round prospect.

He did play against lesser competition for the most part so that will affect his draft stock negatively as well. His major problem is his lack of consistency with accurately passing the football. Ridder needs to improve that at the next level, if he can accomplish that then he will be a solid starter in the NFL.

Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina

Sam Howell was expected to be the top prospect in this crop of quarterbacks heading into this season. Unfortunately for him and his program, they had a down year. Howell put up great numbers the two seasons before this one, but this past season, he put his draft stock into question.

The Steelers have been connected to him throughout the college season with the number of scouting hours they have put into him. He had a bunch of issues in 2021 that could scare away teams and many compare him to Baker Mayfield. He is currently projected as a late first to early second-round selection.

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