The Pittsburgh Steelers had plenty of talented prospects still available when their fourth-round pick came on the clock. Plenty of quarterbacks were still available (including now Cleveland Browns QB Shedeur Sanders), and many were expecting them to go that route.
Instead, they added more depth to their defensive line with the addition of Ohio State's Jack Sawyer. Sawyer is a big-bodied edge player who lacks NFL traits, but he is a good edge-setter who should fit in as a rotational player. With T.J. Watt getting older and Pittsburgh lacking a true fourth edge, the pick makes plenty of sense.
Even if edge was a sneaky need, passing on better players at bigger positions of need could end up as a mistake. The pick is even more puzzling with a Day 3 sleeper still sitting on the board at QB.
Pittsburgh Steelers should have added Syracuse QB Kyle McCord instead of Jack Sawyer
Aside from the obvious best QB left on the board at the time in Shedeur Sanders, Syracuse's Kyle McCord has an argument for that title. Ohio State fans would tell you that Will Howard should be considered the best remaining prospect, but their former starter has better NFL traits, in my opinion.
McCord failed to take Ohio State to the College Football Playoffs in his lone season as a starter in 2023, so he had to find a starting spot for 2024 elsewhere. Syracuse gave him an opportunity, and he took advantage of it in a big way.
He led the nation in passing yards, and he piloted the Orange to their first 10-win season since 2018. His aggressiveness as a passer is his trademark, showing unwavering confidence in his ability to push the ball down the field.
That confidence is also what hurts him as a prospect. He had 12 interceptions and many other passes that could have been takeaways. McCord would at least give the Steelers more juice at QB after years of conservative play at the position. Sawyer could end up working out, but even a backup QB would likely be more valuable.