It’s that time of year again. No, not where the Pittsburgh Steelers lose another opening round playoff game… It’s NFL Draft Preview time! We will be going through position-by-position to give you our thoughts and analysis on the top players but also the guys we think could fit in the Steel City. Today it’s the Quarterbacks!
Cam Ward – Miami, Junior
6’2″ 225lbs
What’s to Like: Talk about growth… This guy was a high school QB in a wing-t system, went the FCS route, then to Washington State and finally Miami where he broke records of guys like Bernie Kosar. Big arm with a quick release… Can improvise on the fly well… Commands the huddle and makes adjustments at the line of scrimmage seemlessly… Disciplined scrambler who will look for receivers yet knows when to run.
What’s Concerning: Chose to sit out the second half of bowl game despite a great first half. Does that speak to his competitiveness or lack thereof… Fumbles are a concern as he put it on the ground eight times during the 2024 season… Can sometimes rely a bit much on the arm strength which can get him into trouble…
Where He Goes: I can’t see him getting out of the upper tier of this first round. Would he in other years? That doesn’t matter. This QB class is what it is. I’m not sure he is a guy that you give away a ton to move up and get but with so much emphasis on needing a top QB I can see it.
Post-Combine Buzz: Despite not performing at the Combine, there seems to be some separation happening between him and Sanders. Whether he goes number one to Tennessee or someone who trades up, that sure feels like the scenario.
Shadeur Sanders – Colorado, Senior
6’2″ 215lbs
What’s to Like: College completion rate of 74% is terrific… 121 TDs to just 23 INTs is also impressive… Have to admire his toughness. Took a beating behind a weak O-Line at Colorado… Good speed and escapability but if he can stay in the pocket he will…
What’s Concerning: Are you getting Shadeur or are you getting Deion too? I’d be very concerned about the level of involvement from his father especially early on… Arm talent is not as good as he believes it to be and that gets him into trouble… Can often drop back too far rather than rolling left or right… Must improve overall ability to read and diagnose defenses.
Where He Goes: I prefer Ward but have no issue with those who like Sanders better. He does a lot of things very well and players seem to follow him into battle and respond to him. Like Ward, I’ll be shocked if he gets out of the top ten, but again, his father may try to dictate where he goes so if I’m a GM I’m paying attention.
UPDATE: Is not participating in drills at the Combine.
Post-Combine Buzz: Sanders was engaging and willing to talk about anything in his meeting. The concerns about arm strength are real but he’ll still go rather high in the first.
Jalen Milroe – Alabama, Junior
6’2″ 225lbs
What’s to Like: Elite athlete and highly competitive player… Has experience and success in pro style offenses… Has a very big arm that allows him to make all of the throws necessary in the NFL… Dual threat ability constantly keeps defenses on edge… Does not immediately pull it down and run, he’ll look for open receivers while scrambling… Showed an excellent deep ball at times.
What’s Concerning: His accuracy was brutal at the Senior Bowl… Over-throws, under-throws you name it, he struggled on shorter throws… Hand-size (under 9″), which is always an issue for Steelers’ fans, is well below standards… Must have an offensive coordinator willing to build things around his skills.
Where He Goes: Probably in the late third or early fourth. His ceiling is too enticing for some teams and they’ll pull the trigger earlier than expected.
Post-Combine Buzz: Amazingly, his hands grew bigger since the Senior Bowl… There are still questions about his accuracy and decision-making.
Jaxson Dart – Ole Miss, Senior
6’2″ 225lbs
What’s to Like: Record-Setting QB for the Rebels has all the tools to be a mobile pocket passer… Tough kid who will not back down from contact and can play through pain… One of the rare college QBs who can anticipate and throw a receiver open… A true leader who can inspire and get the most out of his teammates… Excellent RPO awareness…
What’s Concerning: The running ability gets him into trouble because he will often take off even in a clean pocket… Deep throw ability is not ideal… Seems to lose his mechanics especially when cranking up for those deeper shots… Playing under Lane Kiffin… Does that mean he’s too much of a system QB… It’s no secret that he struggled against higher end defenses.
Where He Goes: In a normal draft with a good crop of QBs I’d say he’s a third rounder but I won’t be surprised if he goes in the second. I like his toughness and competitive nature but he will need to be in the right system for success.
Post-Combine Buzz: Dart has likely positioned himself as ‘QB3’ in this Draft after a solid Combine both on and off the Lucas Oil Field turf. Coaches already liked his competitive nature but came away impressed with his arm and accuracy.
Will Howard – Ohio State, Senior
6’4″ 235lbs
What’s to Like: Excellent athlete who scored over 1,000 points in high school basketball… Terrific size and has tons of experience having won the Big 12 with Kansas State and a National Title this year with Ohio State… Don’t be fooled by the size as he can make plays with his feet… Is “pro ready” in terms of his dropbacks from under center… Not a cannon by any means but a big arm…
What’s Concerning: Will be 24 years old as a rookie… Has to get through his progressions quicker… He can look a bit mechanical at times… Not a guy that can throw from different arm angles… Struggles when under pressure or when he faces creative pass rushes… When he’s forced to scramble, some of the play-making ability diminishes.
Where He Goes: I think he’s a definite fourth rounder and I can actually see him in Pittsburgh under Arthur Smith’s offense. He’s very good with play-action and has learned to use his eyes to keep safeties at bay.
Post-Combine Buzz: Howard struggled in Indianapolis. His accuracy was all over the place especially on medium and longer throws.
Riley Leonard -Notre Dame, Senior
6’4″ 215lbs
What’s to Like: Was actually a better basketball player in high school so it’s not surprising he went to Duke… They wanted him for football however and that’s where his career took off… Appears to be a real leader who other players gravitate towards… Hoops background is evident in his agile footwork… Better deep thrower than he gets credit for…
What’s Concerning: Decision-making can be a real issue… Can be a bit too loose with the ball which will lead to more turnovers at the pro level… Needs to progress quicker on his reads post-snap… Has some injury history that will require watching due to it regarding his feet.
Where He Goes: I think he’s a solid fourth rounder. I wouldn’t move up to get him but I’d consider him. He has the mobility that Mike Tomlin likes and he’d presumably be behind a veteran anyway. If my other choices are gone I’d take a chance especially if they can clean up the turnovers.
Kyle McCord – Syracuse, Senior
6’3″ 220lbs
What’s to Like: The release is super quick and efficient… Love a guy who can throw with anticipation… Appears to be a pretty smart QB who understands the playbook and coverages… Led two major programs in Ohio State and Syracuse… Can make all of the NFL throws and short ti mid-level accuracy is top notch
What’s Concerning: Won’t scare anyone with his legs… Average athlete… Functional breakdowns occur with his mechanics when the pressure is on… Can definitely lock on to receivers too long allowing DBs to make plays… Can be too aggressive at times leading to turnovers.
Where He Goes: I view him as another solid fourth round selection. If he were more mobile I would suggest the Steelers would be interested but I’ll be surprised if they look his way.
Quinn Ewers – Texas, Junior
6’2″ 210lbs
What’s to Like: He transfers from Ohio State only to have to fight off one of the most heralded QB prospects ever in Arch Manning… How can you not like his ability to compete and remain focused… Proved he could win big games on the road in tough places… Very good placement on those short and intermediate throws… Can make throws from a variety of angles.
What’s Concerning: He has a nice arm but nothing special… His feet can get caught in concrete at times making him an easy target for pass rushers… Checks the ball down way too much for my liking… How well does he read defenses is a fair question given struggles against Georgia especially in the first matchup.
Where He Goes: I think Ewers is a solid third round prospect. He strikes me as a guy who could have a nice career as a backup and spot starter but we need a perfect situation in order to be a long-term starter.
Post-Combine Buzz: Personally, I wasn’t overly impressed with what I saw at the Combine, but overall, most scouts came away encouraged. They felt better about his mechanics and arm strength.
Dillon Gabriel – Oregon, Senior
6’0″ 200lbs
What’s to Like: Tremendous leader… More experience than nearly any other player who has entered the Draft in recent memory… Can throw from different angles… Very good mobility despite wanting to throw from the pocket… Short to medium throws are excellent… Throws with anticipation… Experience has given him skills to make good pre-snap and post-snap reads.
What’s Concerning: Height is a concern… Hand size, arm length and arm strength also are major concerns… Difficulty throwing over the middle… Can he consistently make throws outside the numbers?
Where He Goes: My gut feeling is that he goes in the late fourth round. His numbers at the Combine are not expected to be all that great so he really needs to bring it. Lack of size reminds me of Russell Wilson with over the middle throws.
Post-Combine Buzz: Gabriel struggled with consistency. He’s already behind the 8-ball because of his small stature and he didn’t help himself with some erratic moments in passing drills.
Other Guys to Watch: Kurtis Rourke, Indiana… Tyler Shough, Louisville… Seth Henigan, Memphis… K.J. Jefferson, Central Florida… Brady Cook, Missouri
