I’ve been quite vocal about which directions the Pittsburgh Steelers should take throughout the 2025 NFL Draft, including being strictly anti-quarterback. But since they’ve left themselves in one of the worst QB situations imaginable, I’ve decided to humor the idea.
When listening to those who are over the moon for this approach, the most popular name you’ll hear is still Alabama’s Jalen Milroe—a choice I remain unwilling to endorse—perhaps followed by Mississippi’s Jaxson Dart, who has been linked to the Steelers as of late.
However, what if I told you that upon looking for who is truly Pittsburgh’s best fit possible (in both statistical and competitive regards), we find neither of those gentlemen and instead come across a talent that has been nowhere near the equation?
The talent in question? Six-year college quarterback, Dillon Gabriel.
The Pittsburgh Steelers must consider QB Dillon Gabriel in the 2025 NFL Draft
The first thing I notice when I look at Gabriel is his consistent success through the air, having several seasons of 3,500 yards and 25 touchdowns under his belt. Those numbers show great promise for a guy who would have an arsenal of Pittsburgh’s quality, but they look even better when knowing that he amassed them while also being a threat on the ground.
Especially while at Oklahoma, Gabriel stood out as a promising dual-threat, as his two seasons with the Sooners saw him rack up 688 yards and 18 scores on the ground. If you tie his numbers from UCF and Oregon in with those, he looks like the second coming of Johnny Manziel.
Now, of course, I’m kidding, but Gabriel’s lengthy history of statistical dominance serves as the perfect segue into something many would challenge his draft worth with: his age.
Sure, experience is great, but guys like Milroe and Dart have that without being as old as Gabriel, so him lingering at the collegiate level for as long as he has (and with as many schools as he has) is something many would argue does him more harm than good—but I disagree.
Frankly, if the Pittsburgh Steelers are going to hand their rookie play-caller a quarterback room anywhere near as weak as theirs currently is, I’d feel most comfortable with the guy who is all the more seasoned and has proven himself all the more adaptable. His being 24 years old instead of 22 doesn’t change that for me because, honestly, it’s high time we stop pretending that 24 is the new 37, anyway.
So, congratulations, Pittsburgh; you broke me. I’m all for highlighting quarterbacks in this year’s draft search. The sole thing I’m asking of you in return is to go about it right, and nabbing Dillon Gabriel is indisputably the way to do that.