All star games always bring a closer look at who the Steelers show interest in during the pre-draft process with a quarterback being an option.
All-star games are always a great opportunity for some of the top NFL prospects to show what they got to teams in attendance. The Steelers are no strangers to these events as they continuously watch the practices and speak to players throughout these weeks. There will be plenty of reports that specify which players the black and gold have spoken to.
Mitch Trubisky seems like he will be back next season after what Art Rooney said in a recent interview. Trubisky carries a large cap hit to sit behind Kenny Pickett, and that could make him expendable. Mason Rudolph is out of here, so do not count out Pittsburgh when it comes to investing in another draft pick at the quarterback position.
Steelers met with accomplished UCLA quarterback at East-West Shrine Bowl
Down at the East-West Shrine Bowl, it was self-reported by Dorian Thompson-Robinson that he has spoken with the Steelers. That is not something uncommon to hear this time of year as the scouting department is all over the country trying to find different ways to improve their team. One thing that separates this player from other quarterbacks in this class is his athleticism and experience at the position.
He is competing in the Eat-West Shrine Bowl after playing his college ball at UCLA. His life as a Bruin brought about a ton of playing time throughout his four years at the collegiate level. Thompson-Robinson could have left school last year, but he decided to return. He fits what the Steelers typically look for in a developmental mid to late-round pick at quarterback.
Hendon Hooker could be a buy-low option for the Steelers later on
No one in college football was having a better season this past year than Hendon Hooker was before his injury. Things like devastating injuries happen in the game of football all of the time, but this was hard to see. Many were projecting this quarterback in the top rounds of the draft, but now he will likely slip until day three of the event.
Normally when you accept an invite to the Senior Bowl, you show what you got in practice and in the game itself. Hooker does not have that option since he tore his ACL just months prior. He will go to try and mingle with different front offices and coaching staff as they try to find some diamonds in the rough at the position.
Hooker started off his career at Virginia Tech before transferring to Tennessee to start at quarterback. His transition to the SEC was amazing as he continuously put up amazing numbers as a Volunteer. He only has five interceptions thrown in the past two seasons, which is one of the best ratios out of any quarterback coming out.
Pittsburgh would be taking a gamble on drafting Hooker in the middle rounds of the upcoming draft, but it could pay off. His ACL injury could affect his running ability, and that could totally take away his game. If Hooker slips some and the black and gold can get him later in the draft, this would be a wise gamble to take.
Pittsburgh could target a quarterback that had a lot of success last season
One of the best stories of this past college football season was that of the TCU Horn frogs. Their season crumbled and burned as they got beat down by the Georgia Bulldogs in the National Championship. No matter the outcome, the fact that they got there seemed almost like a surreal story that came to life.
Max Duggan was a big reason why TCU was able to have such a quick turnaround this past year. He played differing amounts during his four seasons with the Horn frogs and this time around something changed. That offense that he helped lead was electric as they continued to fire on all cylinders until the National Championship game.
There were some good pieces that helped that offense go, but Duggan took a big step forward in 2022. This past season got the quarterback a Heisman finalist nomination, which he would go on to lose to Caleb Williams of USC. This TCU product did enough this past year to catch the eye of many NFL scouts and could gain traction with a good pre-draft process.
There are plenty of question marks with Duggan and how his development at the next level could go. The Steelers would be getting a tough guy that plays through injuries and is willing to do whatever it takes to win. Duggan is a leader that took a big step forward in production this past season but will likely have to wait until day three to hear his name called.
Aidan O’Connell could be a solid backup replacement for Mason Rudolph
We know that the black and gold have a presence down at the East-West Shrine Bowl, so they could be meeting with plenty of players there. Most that participate in that All-star game are projected to be selected anywhere from mid to late rounds. There are some interesting players that could be a solid backup quarterback available in this draft.
The Steelers are losing Mason Rudolph, so why not try replacing him with a player that reminds some of Rudolph? Enter Aidan O’Connell as he plays a similar brand of football as Rudolph with both being more pocket friendly. Neither are widely known for their escapability, but they can move their feet when needed.
O’Connell played all four years of college at Purdue, which is not known as a powerhouse in the Big Ten Conference. He had a year of great production in 2021 with the hope of expanding on that this past season. That plan did not pan out perfectly as he saw his numbers decrease as a whole.
Pittsburgh could use their late-round selections on a player like O’Connell and he seems like a backup at the next level. He has a good arm and a ton of starting experience at the college level. He needs to clean up his decision-making in the NFL and the Steelers could have another Rudolph type in the building with a selection like this.
The Steelers could become a desperate team this offseason if they decide to move on from Mason Rudolph and Mitch Trubisky. That could put them in a bind and having one or two quality backups has become a necessity in the NFL.