3 reasons the Steelers will not draft their future quarterback this year

While quarterback is the biggest need for the Steelers and the most important one, the Steelers will opt not to select their next franchise signal-caller in this year’s draft.

It is no secret that the biggest need for the Steelers is the quarterback position, and as such, they have been doing their homework on the potential draft prospects at the position thus far in the offseason. Malik Willis and Kenny Pickett have been the two most oft-linked to Pittsburgh, but others such as Sam Howell, Matt Corral, and Desmond Ridder have also been linked to them.

While the idea of getting a young signal-caller makes a lot of sense for Pittsburgh to start preparing their offense for the future, there are several reasons why the team will likely opt to wait to select their quarterback of the future.

1. The top guys will not be there at pick 20

While Kenny Pickett and Malik Willis are not surefire NFL prospects, they appear to have separated themselves from the pack and established themselves as the top two quarterbacks in this draft class. Pickett entered the offseason as the top dog in the class, and despite concerns about upside and his hand size, his experience starting in college, coupled with his tremendous season this past year have etched him in as a high floor player. His high floor, combined with him being consensus top two at the league’s most important position make it highly unlikely he is available when the Steelers are picking

As for Willis, he is clearly the biggest boom or bust option in the class, and while he is far from a finished product, his raw tools are tantalizing for NFL teams, who have seen projects like Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes work out so well for their respective teams.

While he has already been rising on draft boards, the NFL Scouting Combine was this week, and Willis flashed his elite arm strength on deep balls, while also impressing in interviews. The impressive combine showing further boosted his stock and potentially made him the top quarterback selected in this year’s class.

In recent years players such as Allen and Trey Lance started off as raw prospects, but as the draft process went along, coaches and analysts fell in love with their tools, which saw them skyrocket up draft boards and land inside the top 10. This could be the type of scenario Willis falls into, and for that reason, he is unlikely to be available at pick 20 for the Steelers.

With teams such as the Carolina Panthers, Denver Broncos, Washington Commanders, and New Orleans Saints all needing a quarterback, and all sitting in the top 18, it is likely that these top two quarterbacks are available for Pittsburgh. While there are still three other fringe first-round quarterbacks that could be available, the Steelers should not reach on a position as important as quarterback just because it is a need. They are better off waiting until next year or going the veteran quarterback route in free agency or the trade market.