Welcome to our annual Pittsburgh Steelers Draft Profiles! Each of these articles will feature all of the positions in the game of football and more importantly, the top-rated players at these positions and those that the Steelers may be interested in! This one features the Quarterbacks.
Caleb Williams – USC, 6’1″ 215lbs
Former Heisman Trophy winner… Comparisons to Patrick Mahomes are fair because he can make all of the throws and can do so from any angle… Really good athlete… Feels pressure in the pocket and knows when to move versus when to scramble… Running ability to pick up first downs is outstanding and frustrating for defenses… Keep an eye on his ball-handling/very good with his fakes… I do have a few concerns about size but they wouldn’t scare me off… Played exclusively from the shotgun so he will need time to adjust to being under center.
vs Washington 2023, vs Oregon 2023, vs Utah 2022
Our Projection: Top 3
Drake Maye – North Carolina, 6’4″ 240lbs
Ideal Quarterback build… Great athlete with really good feet both in the pocket and on the move… Excelled despite playing behind a really average O-Line… Has a big time arm and can make all the throws… Seems to be a great scheme fit for just about any offense… Has tremendous grasp of his offense consistently showing he knows where his receivers are… Can hold the ball too long especially when scrambling… One of my major concerns is decision-making especially when under pressure/that has to get cleaned up.
vs App State 2022, vs Notre Dame 2022, vs NC State 2023
Our Projection: First Round
Jayden Daniels – LSU, 6’4″ 210lbs
2023 Heisman Trophy winner… Game went to a completely different level when he transferred to LSU from Arizona State… Outstanding speed for a guy of his size… Good decision-maker… Seems to be an effective leader both on and off the field… Can easily make all of the throws needed in the NFL… He will be an RPO nightmare for defenses… Will need to clean up some mechanics with his throwing motion/get it a tad quicker… Can he operate as effectively from the pocket as he does on the move?
vs Arkansas 2023, vs Ole Miss 2023
Our Projection: Mid-First Round
Bo Nix – Oregon, 6’2″ 210lbs
Comes to the NFL with tons of experience in the SEC and Pac-12… Arm strength is not elite but it is very good… Extremely mobile… Not a guy who is going to run for a lot of yards but will pick up yards and first downs with his scrambling ability… Can throw from several angles and has fairly quick release… Footwork can sometimes break down when under pressure… Decision-making is above average but he will make some mistakes in terms of where to throw it… Can be late on some deep throws which allows safeties to get over and make plays.
vs USC 2023, vs Stanford 2023,
Our Projection: Second Round
Michael Penix, Jr – Washington, 6’2″ 215lbs
Super strong arm with effortless throwing style… Was a Heisman Finalist in 2023… Really impressive ability to drop balls in on the sideline and on deeper throws… Demonstrates solid command of the offense… Identifies the coverage and seems to know where he’s going with the ball immediately… Really slight movements in the pocket allow him to create throwing lanes and avoid pressure… The injury history is a massive concern… Benefited from one of the best receiving corps in college football… Was he exposed a bit by Michigan’s pressure? Seemed to be really off his game even when guys were open.
vs Oregon 2023, vs USC 2023
Our Projection: Late Second/Early Third
Combine Update: His throwing performance has him likely in the Second Round.
J.J. McCarthy – Michigan, 6’3″ 205lbs
Strong leader with winner’s mentality… 27-1 all-time as a starter… Very strong arm and can fit ball into literally any window… Throws a better deep ball than probably given credit for… Excellent mobility… Type of QB that frustrates defenses with scrambling and pocket presence… Can throw on the move going right or left… Cannot argue his performances in clutch moments… I worry a bit about his accuracy at times… Seems to have streaks where he doesn’t find the target… Will need to develop more touch on the ball in certain situations… Technically he’s really sound but there are some things to clean up especially on those deep sideline throws.
vs Alabama 2024, vs Ohio State 2023
Our Projection: Mid-Second/Early Third (Because he’s a QB he’ll likely go higher)
Combine Update: Despite some accuracy issues on outside throws, McCarthy otherwise was tremendous and has probably moved himself into the first round.
Spencer Rattler – South Carolina, 6’0″ 215lbs
Tons of experience in the Big-12 and SEC… Tough kid who takes a pounding and keeps coming back… Good arm strength and doesn’t lose any velocity when on the move… Can easily scramble for yards and first downs… Really light and quick feet… Has good feel for the types of throws he needs to make… Seems to lock on to receivers a bit too long… His size is a concern in terms of his height… Makes way too many of the dreaded ‘back foot’ throws.
vs UNC 2023,
Our Projection: Fourth Round
Combine Update: Rattle was extremely impressive in all facets and increased his draft stock significantly.
Michael Pratt – Tulane, 6’2″ 210lbs
Tough kid… Throws short and intermediate extremely well… Very skilled at using his eyes to draw defenders away from where he’s going… Fairly proto-typical as a pocket passer but he’s got sneaky mobility… Owns a victory over Heisman winner Caleb Williams in the Cotton Bowl… Smooth and disciplined dropbacks… Just “looks” like a pro caliber QB… Release will need work/needs to get quicker… Arm talent is average and throws outside the numbers are not always accurate… Cannot argue with his toughness and attitude.
Our Projection: Mid Fourth to Early Fifth
Joe Milton – Tennessee, 6’5″ 230lbs
Arm strength is ridiculous… Beyond ideal size and strength… Release is quick for a guy with such a big arm… Not throw he can’t make… Slides well in the pocket and creates lanes for himself… Despite his size he moves pretty well and can gain yards with his legs… Must find touch on some of his throws… Accuracy is his biggest issue in my opinion/Too many missed throws… He’s also older (24 years of age at this writing)… Ability to read the field is a huge question mark… Defensive coaches seemed to know how to rattle him in key situations.
vs Virginia 2023, vs Missouri 2023
Our Projection: Sixth or Seventh Round
Combine Update: The big arm was on display but so too was the inaccuracy.
Other Guys We are Watching
Jordan Travis – Florida State… Coming off ACL injury… Strong leader who may be limited a bit by size and average arm strength.
Carter Bradley – South Alabama… Son of NFL Coach Gus Bradley… More of a pocket passer type with big arm.
Taulia Tagovailoa – Maryland… Brother of Tua, Dolphins’ QB… Under 6 feet tall and can be erratic.
Davius Richard – North Carolina Central… Had 73 passing TDs and 44 rushing TDs in four seasons at the HBCU school.
Potential Steelers’ Targets
Mike Tomlin is already on the record as saying right now Kenny Pickett is QB1. Understand that this means very little in February. I have no doubt that the team will look to bring in another young QB assuming Mason Rudolph returns. Don’t be a bit surprised if the Steelers take a shot at Milton late in the Draft or sign Bradley in free agency after the draft concludes.
