Welcome to our Steelers Draft Profiles. What we’ve done is create lists of top prospects with our take on their abilities based on what we’ve seen of them. Once published, we will continue to update these very articles on a regular basis as new information comes in about the players. In addition, you check out FanDuel Sportsbook Ohio to follow up the draft odds of these prospects. In today’s article, we feature Quarterbacks
C.J. Stroud – SO. – Ohio State – 6’3″ 220lbs
Ho-Hum another outstanding Ohio State QB… Stroud has all the tools you look for in an NFL QB… I don’t view his arm strength as “upper level” but it’s very good… Anticipates well above average and is willing to go for the bigger throws… Generally takes good care of the ball and has really good pocket awareness… His best performances were in arguably his two biggest stages in last year’s Rose Bowl and then in the National Semi-Final against Georgia… I see some tendencies to hesitate and make late throws on occasion… His mobility is better than many thought but he isn’t a natural runner either… There’s no question that consistent pressure can affect him…
Key Combine Numbers
40-yard Dash: N/A
Hand Size: 10
Bryce Young – JR. – Alabama – 5’11” 190lbs
This guy is a winner… Had more talent around him than most other QBs but he has a tremendous will to win… Big-time student of the game… Tough and willing to play hurt… Highly accurate passer who throws guys open as well as any at the college level… Doesn’t gamble with throws/Takes what is given… Really nice mechanics… Snap-throwing motion on those shorter routes and can wind it up for deep balls… Pocket presence is excellent… Escapability is almost ridiculous… Keeps his eyes down-field and knows where to go with the ball… Played in an NFL style offense… 100% NFL-ready in my book… Size and weight are the biggest concerns by far…
Key Combine Numbers
40-yard Dash: N/A
Hand Size: 9 3/4
Will Levis – SR. – Kentucky – 6’3″ 230lbs
The former Penn State transfer is another prototypical looking QB… His arm strength is outstanding… Had much better numbers in 2021 when the talent around him was better… Very minimal movement in his throwing motion… Quick release and loses nothing in terms of power… Can literally fit it into any window… Very acceptable mobility for today’s QB position… As with many ‘big-arm’ QBs he can trust his arm too much and force throws… Has experience running NFL style offenses… I’m not overly confident in his processing speed/Is he seeing things quickly enough… His ceiling is what will attract teams… Very ‘boom or bust’ in my opinion…
Key Combine Numbers
40-yard Dash: N/A
Hand Size: 10 5/8
Anthony Richardson – SO. – Florida – 6’4″ 230lbs
Looking for an absolute wild-card in this Draft then here he is… Ideal QB size… Cannon for an arm… Tremendous running ability… A threat to take it to the house whenever he runs… Can literally make every throw… Throws the ball well on the move… Willing to plow over a defender while on the move… Appears to get through his progressions well… Decision-making is a major question mark for me… Accuracy must also see significant improvement… Can he improve his overall technique throwing the ball…
Key Combine Numbers
40-yard Dash: 4.43
Hand Size: 10 1/2
Hendon Hooker – SR. – Tennessee – 6’4″ 220lbs
Started 37 games at QB during his stints at Virginia Tech and Tennessee… He has a big, classic frame with strong hands… Very good arm strength… Capable of completing all of the throws… Simple throwing motion that displays a real “ease” about him… Really strong foundation… Accurate to all areas of the field… Better running ability than some think… How well can he “throw guys open” at the NFL level is a question I have… He’s already 25 years old… Coming off an ACL injury…
Key Combine Numbers
40-yard Dash: N/A
Hand Size: 10 1/2
Tanner McKee – JR. – Stanford – 6’6″ 225lbs
More of a classic, pocket passer… Spent two years on his Mormon mission so he’s older than his peers… Most effective on mid and short throws… Moves decently on roll-outs… Excellent overall ball skills… He’s not going to make plays with his feet/Doesn’t posses that type of athleticism… Really smart, intellectual player… Must learn how to ‘hang in there’ versus pressure… Big arm but he struggles with putting touch on it when needed…
Key Combine Numbers
40-yard Dash: N/A
Hand Size: 9 3/8
Max Duggan – SR. – TCU – 6’2″ 214lbs
Became starter in week 2 of 2022 and never looked back in leading the Horned Frogs to the National Championship Game… Tough, physical runner… Hard-nosed leader who you want in your bunker so to speak… Good with ball fakes and reads RPOs well… Accuracy must be improved… Footwork and overall technique need help… Arm strength is above average and he’s always willing to chuck it deep… He will burn you with his legs/smart, physical runner who is faster than you think… I’m not convinced he reads defenses all that well… I can see him being a Taysom Hill type of player should someone choose.
Key Combine Numbers
40-yard Dash: 4.52
Hand Size: 9 7/8
Aiden O’Connell – GR. – Purdue – 6’3″ 215lbs
Former walk-on reminds me of those 1980’s ‘gunslinger’ QBs… Need him to throw it 30 times? 40 times? 50 times? He’ll do it with pleasure… Throws the ball down-field consistently… Tough, gritty and competitive… Very basic overall skills… No threat to run the ball on you… I view him as a backup who can be a nice spot starter for you and not much more…
Key Combine Numbers
40-yard Dash: N/A
Hand Size: 9 3/4
Clayton Tune – SR. – Houston – 6’3″ 220lbs
Three-time captain for the Cougars… Competitive, confident player… Has some mobility skills but I would not call him a “run threat” per se… Arm strength will be an issue in the NFL… Short to intermediate throws are solid but deeper than that leaves much to be desired… Accuracy is so-so… Processes things quickly and overall makes good decisions… Has potential if put into the right offense…
Key Combine Numbers
40-yard Dash: 4.64
Hand Size: 9 3/8
Stetson Bennett – SR. – Georgia – 5’11” 185lbs
The definition of the word “winner”… Highly competitive… Great leadership qualities… Small frame is a huge concern… Arm strength is not NFL-caliber… Will often stare down receivers which is a big flaw in the NFL… Has the ability to make plays with this feet… Age is a significant factor as he’ll turn 26 years old during his rookie season… Good ball skills in the play-action game… He’s a free agent signing in my book and I’d consider him because I like winners.
Key Combine Numbers
40-yard Dash: 4.67
Hand Size: 10
Dorian Thompson-Robinson – SR. – UCLA – 6’1″ 200lbs
A rare ‘five-year starter’ for the Bruins… Highly athletic… Can beat defenses with his arm and his legs… Has NFL arm strength… High character individual… His build is a little concerning… Accuracy just never seemed to improve during his career… Balls to the wide side are really erratic… Too many poor decisions to be relied upon consistently… Doesn’t ‘hang in there’ when the pressure comes like you would prefer to see… I really think this young man can be utilized by the right coach… He’s such a good runner and that can’t be wasted.
Key Combine Numbers
40-yard Dash: 4.56
Hand Size: 9 7/8
Others We are Watching… Jake Haener Fresno State, Tyson Bagnet Shepard, Sean Clifford Penn State, Tanner McGee Minnesota
