3 reasons Steelers must avoid QB in first-round of NFL Draft
By Tommy Jaggi
The Pittsburgh Steelers seem destined to select a quarterback with their top pick, but here’s why I would strongly advise against doing so in the 2022 NFL Draft.
There’s nothing we can do to steer the Pittsburgh Steelers away from selecting a quarterback with their first-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft if that is indeed what they have in mind. It would certainly appear that all of the signs are pointing in that direction.
Based on their Pro Day visits and the extensive interest they’ve expressed in the top quarterbacks this year, I would be surprised if they go with any other position at this point. However, in an unspectacular QB class, I’m not an advocate of selecting a quarterback in the first round at all. Here are three reasons why:
No quarterback worth trading up for
A good rule of thumb teams should have when it comes to quarterback prospects is that if you don’t feel “comfortable” trading an additional first-round pick to acquire the QB you love, he’s probably not good enough to be your “franchise” guy.
Needless to say, I don’t feel comfortable trading additional draft capital to move up and get one of these guys… and neither should you. I get that Malik Willis has a lot of tools that could equate to a high ceiling at the next level, but it’s probably unreasonable to expect him to ever become one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL. Likewise, I can’t justify trading up for a one-year-wonder in Kenny Pickett who lacks elite tools in comparison to starting NFL quarterbacks.
In years past, I have been very vocal that I would have been willing to trade up for several quarterbacks like Lamar Jackson, Justin Herbert (if the Steelers still had their 2020 first-round pick), and Justin Fields. Pittsburgh now missed that window, and none of these guys are worth mortgaging the future to move up for in 2022.