Many Pittsburgh Steelers fans were puzzled when the team selected Drew Allar near the top of the third round. Taken 76th overall, the pick was widely viewed as a potential reach for a developmental quarterback. While Allar does possess a high ceiling if his development goes as planned, the selection also carries significant risk. Ultimately, he profiles as a boom-or-bust prospect.
Given how far Garrett Nussmeier slid relative to his projected draft stock, Pittsburgh may have acted too quickly in selecting Allar. Unless Nussmeier carried significant injury concerns or long-term health risks, the Steelers could have taken him with one of their seventh-round picks.
That approach would have preserved the early third-round selection, allowing the team to address a more immediate position of need elsewhere on the roster.
When it comes to draft picks, early reactions rarely tell the full story. The true evaluation begins once players put the pads on and face NFL competition. Allar could realize his potential and develop into a franchise quarterback, or he could struggle to stay in the league. Meanwhile, although Nussmeier endured a disappointing draft slide, he could still emerge as a diamond in the rough.
Pittsburgh Steelers could've waited to take Garrett Nussmeier instead of taking Drew Allar early
In Allar’s case, it is clear the Steelers had been interested in him for some time. The team scouted him extensively before he suffered a season-ending injury during Penn State’s most recent campaign. That injury helped push his draft stock down into the third round, but it was not the only concern, as he also struggled to consistently perform in big games.
Unless Allar shows meaningful progression at the professional level, something he failed to demonstrate in college, the pick could ultimately reflect poorly on Mike McCarthy’s coaching.
Nussmeier had a strong week at the Senior Bowl following a disappointing season at LSU. He was once projected as a potential first-round pick, much like Allar, but that expectation failed to match his on-field production. While the Tigers’ quarterback played through injuries for much of the season, doing so may have hurt his stock rather than helped it, ultimately contributing to his slide in the draft.
Given McCarthy’s close ties to Nussmeier’s family, it is surprising the team did not wait to target him later in the draft. That decision also highlights just how strongly the organization feels about Allar. The Steelers are clearly high on the Penn State product and believe he has the potential to develop into a starter. While Allar may offer a higher ceiling, Nussmeier appears to be the safer option.
Sometimes, teams have to take a calculated swing on a quarterback in hopes of landing a franchise cornerstone.
Allar may have been a slight reach at his draft position, but if he reaches his potential, perceptions of the Steelers’ decision will quickly change. Nussmeier’s fall in the draft was surprising and arguably would have represented better value for Pittsburgh at a later stage. Still, quarterback evaluations often require risk, and the Steelers clearly felt this was a gamble worth taking.
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