The Steelers got here into the draft with a necessity at quarterback. Certain, they have been (and nonetheless are) in talks with veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers, however nothing has been signed or selected that entrance. Even when it had been, Rodgers is 41 years outdated and is three full years faraway from taking part in the elite degree of ball we’ve come to affiliate him with. Securing a high passing prospect would nonetheless be a sensible transfer if Rodgers is on the roster as a result of it will give them a pupil to be taught and develop behind him.
Pittsburgh did find yourself taking a quarterback within the draft, however that choice wouldn’t come till late into Day 3, when Will Howard was chosen within the sixth spherical. Following the departures of one-year leases Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, Howard joins a gaggle that incorporates former Steelers backup Mason Rudolph and former Dolphins backup Skylar Thompson. Each have seen time as starters in harm alternative conditions of their careers, and whereas Rudolph has fared higher in his alternatives, neither encourage a lot confidence heading into the 2025 season.
This begs the query: why didn’t Pittsburgh take a swing on a quarterback earlier? Or, in the event that they knew they have been going to attend to pick out one, why, once they noticed Sanders freefalling spherical after spherical, did they not take a flyer on his apparent potential?
I can actually see the place they preferred the worth they have been getting for versatile Oregon defensive deal with Derrick Harmon as a possible eventual alternative for Cameron Heyward or the hole-filling potential of third-round Iowa rusher Kaleb Johnson, who may compete with Jaylen Warren for some severe carries. However as soon as the fourth spherical rolled round and Sanders, a projected first- or second-round choose, was nonetheless round, how vital was it so as to add Jack Sawyer to mix in with a gaggle that already incorporates T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig? Does Sawyer add extra worth to that group that Sanders would’ve to a place that solely contained Rudolph on the time? The Steelers might want to hope so.
Finally, Fowler tells us that the group was “comfy with (Sanders) as a distributing level guard kind,” however they couldn’t all agree that he was “a slam dunk choose.” It’s true {that a} knock on Sanders was his reliance on screens, fast passes, and checkdowns — solely 23.7 % of his completions at Colorado have been on throws over 10 yards.
Regardless, his taking part in model helped him to complete fourth within the nation in yards per recreation whereas throwing 37 touchdowns to 10 interceptions. Even with three additional video games on his schedule, Howard didn’t encroach upon Sanders’ yardage or landing numbers. However the group was undecided on whether or not Sanders was definitely worth the fourth-round flyer, and that led him to his new house in Cleveland.
The group remains to be getting a quarterback who had a fantastic completion proportion (73.0) whereas throwing the ball a bit extra downfield (9.5 yards per try) and having a formidable touchdown-interception ratio. They’ll simply should hope that Howard (and Sawyer) contribute sufficient to erase any doubt of the choice they made.
