Don’t fall for this lazy Steelers QB draft narrative in 2022

It seems clear that the Steelers want a quarterback in this draft class, and while that elicits a variety of responses from fans, it really isn’t the worst-case scenario.

The Steelers have been all over the top quarterbacks in this draft class, and while this class is notably weaker than most, the team drafting a quarterback this year isn’t the end of the world.

The need isn’t the part in question, as the loss of a future Hall of Fame quarterback has yielded a massive hole for a passer. Mitchell Trubisky is a fine transitional player, but this team will need a star quarterback if they ever want to be serious competitors again.

While the team certainly isn’t forced to take a quarterback in this draft class, it seems like some are vastly overrating what the results will be if the team selects a quarterback this season. People act like this class is horrible. Yes, it is weaker than the previous years, but each of the top quarterbacks has some traits to build around.

The Steelers have invested in this class

To say it lightly, the Steelers have spent more hours focused on quarterbacks this offseason than they have in any position in years. They stopped at every top pro day and as a result, missed out on some top pro days like Ohio State. That due diligence would be wasted if they didn’t draft a quarterback this year.

Now, there can be a negative here by the Steelers looking at so many different quarterbacks. Ideally, the team has an idea of who they think can become a franchise thrower and they won’t settle. Sitting at pick 20 and taking the best quarterback no matter who has already been taken is a recipe for a disaster.

Don’t fall for the lazy narrative

One of the most infuriating arguments that can be made is that the Steelers need to just wait until next year to draft their quarterback. While on paper next year’s class of passers looks fine, a lot can change over the course of a season. Quarterbacks are one of the hardest positions to figure out, as so much goes into their long-term success.

Take last year for example. Spencer Rattler from Oklahoma was seen as the top prospect with Sam Howell closely behind. Kenny Pickett, meanwhile, was nothing more than a late-round option for a team.

Now Pickett may be the first quarterback off the board and Howell is usually seen in the lower tier of the top quarterbacks. Rattler, meanwhile, is now playing at South Carolina after being benched this past year.

Even the top two names next year in the class have some questions. Bryce Young has been great, but he could weigh in similarly to Kyler Murray and he doesn’t have the dynamic scrambling ability that Murray possesses. C.J. Stroud possesses the size and arm strength that you want, but he lacks the athleticism most teams want in a quarterback.

The rest of the class is filled with similarly flawed players. That isn’t to say that they are worse than the current group of quarterbacks; that will be determined later on, but nothing is a sure thing. To sit here and say that they have to wait until next year has to be one of the silliest arguments.

There is never a great time to get a QB

What all of this really boils down to is that there never is the best time to draft a quarterback. There will almost always be a better prospect at a different position. Unless you stumble into the top pick with an elite prospect at quarterback there, there will usually be a better option elsewhere.

The Steelers wouldn’t be in that position anyway. Sure, some lean years are ahead, but it would be shocking to see Pittsburgh land the top pick in a draft. Likewise, the cost to trade up and land that elite prospect will be immense.

Should the Steelers feel forced to draft a quarterback in the first round this season? Not if the right prospect isn’t there for them. That said, don’t act like waiting until next season will change anything. Those prospects will also have questions once it’s their turn to be drafted. If the team is confident in a quarterback this year, I trust them to make the right choice.