Steelers mock draft: New weapons and completing the defense

Round 7, pick 225: Steelers select Kaleb Eleby

The Steelers seem destined to add to the QB position this draft with the amount of time they have invested in the position this offseason. Even with adding presumed starter Mitch Trubisky, Mason Rudolph is a free agent after this season and Josh Dobbs has left for an opportunity with the Cleveland Browns.

Before I discuss Eleby, I also want to mention the tragic loss of Dwayne Haskins on April 9th. The Steelers not only lost a talented player but more importantly a beacon of positivity and kindness that will be missed dearly. My heart goes out to his family, friends, and teammates as they mourn their loss.

Kaleb Eleby lacks some of the traits that you would like to see in a starting NFL QB, but what he does well makes him an ideal backup option. He isn’t physically imposing at 6’1″ and 208 pounds, and his arm strength is average at best by NFL standards. He also lacks the mobility you would like to see a smaller passer have, but he does move well in the pocket and can evade the rush if he has some space to operate.

Where Eleby shines is in the short and intermediate game, where his natural accuracy creates RAC opportunities for his receivers. He shows the willingness to take hits while standing in the pocket, rarely being rattled by pressure.

Eleby needs to clean up his mechanics if he wants to consistently hit his throws at the next level. He won’t get away with sailing passes as he did occasionally in college. Overall, I believe he could be a long-term answer at backup QB going forward that would be on a cheap rookie deal. Well worth a 7th rounder.