Option 3: Jack Coan, Notre Dame
The third option for the Steelers is to wait until day three and select Jack Coan from Notre Dame. Coan spent his first three years at Wisconsin before transferring to Notre Dame for his senior season, and he had a strong showing for the Fighting Irish. According to ESPN, Coan threw for 3,150 yards, while throwing 25 touchdowns and only 7 interceptions.
At the NFL Scouting Combine, Coan measured in at 6′ 3″, and 218 lbs., while running a 4.90 40-yard dash. He also had a solid showing throwing the football, and while his statistics this season weren’t quite what Zappe’s were, he played at a more illustrious program and has better measurables.
Lance Zierlein, a draft analyst for NFL.com also views Coan as a potential sleeper this year, saying:
People ask why I see Jack Coan as a potential sleeper and it's because he profiles as one:
— Lance Zierlein (@LanceZierlein) March 3, 2022
* NFL size/arm strength
* Slides & climbs in the pocket
* 43 TDs/12 INTs his last 2 years
* 58% 8 TDs/2 INTs on intermediate throws
* 68% 13TDs/3INTs last 5 games
He is getting better
Coan played for a well-respected program at Notre Dame and showed improvement from his Junior season. He possesses all the physical tools of an NFL quarterback, and should at least be a quality backup for a decade while holding the potential to be a quality starting quarterback at the NFL level.
No late-round selection is a lock, especially at the quarterback position, but Coan has the personality, prototype, and intangibles to make him a solid, NFL quarterback. If the Steelers are going to take a flier on any quarterback on Day three, Coan should be their guy.
Whether the Steelers draft a quarterback this offseason remains to be seen, but it’s absolutely a possibility. While it is less likely that they select one early this year after signing Trubisky, they could look into one in a later round. If they opt to draft one, while waiting until day two or three, these three players should be on their radar.