3 quarterback draft targets for the Steelers after round one

Option 2: Bailey Zappe, Western Kentucky

Another option for the Steelers at quarterback is Bailey Zappe, who is likely to go in the third round but could sneak into the second round if his stock rises after his Pro-Day. Zappe may not have the size or the athleticism that a player like Ridder has, but his production last season is second to none. According to ESPN, Zappe led all of college football in passing yards with 5,967 and passing touchdowns with 62, while only throwing 11 interceptions.

Zappe followed up his impressive senior season with a good combine showing an ability to make an assortment of throws while showing off his arm strength, and accuracy in the end zone. While his 40-yard dash time was only 4.88 according to nfl.com, that is enough to prove he possesses enough mobility to move around in the pocket, but may not be much of a scrambler.

One of the biggest knocks on Zappe is his size, and his official measurements at the Scouting Combine did not erase those question marks. His height came in at 6′ 0 1/2″ at the Combine, while he weighed in at 215 lbs. The weight isn’t much of a question when factored in with his height, but like Sam Howell, who measured in at roughly the same size, will face many questions about his height throughout the remainder of the draft process.

Howell is actually 1/2″ taller than Zappe, and played against a higher level of competition, and yet he is facing many of the same questions, so don’t expect those questions to go unnoticed for Zappe.

However, when selecting a quarterback in round 3, there are no sure things, and when you factor in his solid showing at the combine, as well as his eye-popping stat line this season, it’s easy to see why a team could take a chance on Zappe in the third round.