Steelers quarterback poached with top 5 pick in the UFL Draft

No one has to worry about the UFL becoming more popular than the NFL anytime soon. But what the Pittsburgh Steelers may need to worry about is getting some of their young talent poached from their roster by spring league competition.

Every player still wants to make it to the NFL and live out their dreams. Those who can't make it in the NFL and have to reset their football careers now have the UFL to turn to. It gives them another chance at making it into the NFL. With the UFL holding their draft, some players have crossed lines after finding an NFL home following their respective draft in April.

The Steelers saw John Rhys Plumlee go third overall in the UFL draft to the Arlington Renegades.

Just because a player is selected to the UFL does not mean they will report to the team who selected them. A lot of what happens between now and when the spring league starts depends on how things shake out with their NFL season. With Plumlee being an undrafted free agent, it seems like the UFL could be in his future.

Plumlee is a fourth-string quarterback going into training camp with the Steelers, and it seems like he has little to no chance of sticking on the roster. This isn't a devastating blow, but it could still have a ripple effect on the quarterback depth chart.

A QB could be jumping ship from the Steelers to the UFL

It might be in Plumlee's best interest to play in the UFL if he can secure a starting spot on the Renegades.

Again, we will see how his rookie season plays out, but it is most likely that he will land on the Steelers practice squad. If that becomes the scenario, then Plumlee might have a better shot if he can go into the UFL and play lights out. After that, plenty of NFL teams will probably come calling to get a fair shot at their roster come training camp next year.

Mike Tomlin preaches that a player's tape is their walking resume. If you are sitting on the practice squad all year, not many will give someone a fair shake.

Don't expect Plumlee to go missing at Steelers training camp. He will be there and trying to find ways to earn a spot on the roster. The odds are stacked against him, but he could remain with the team throughout the season on their practice squad before deciding to play with Arlington in the UFL or not. There is still plenty of time between now and when that decision needs to be made.

Plumlee is an intriguing player as he has played both quarterback and receiver during his football career. He has proved to be an athletic guy with the Steelers thus far and has shown a willingness to show what he has on special teams. If he can show that he can play effectively on special teams, then maybe Plumlee could have a shot at the roster in Pittsburgh.

If Plumlee winds up in the UFL next year, it will be because he wasn't able to show enough to stick with the Steelers.