OT: The Pittsburgher Thread: Off Season We dont need a QB Edition

[bigdaddyk88]

Kozora: Pittsburgh Steelers 2025 Mock Draft (Final Version)

My final Pittsburgh Steelers 2025 mock draft. Last best-guesses of what the team will do starting Thursday night. A reminder that this, as always, is a predictive mock draft and not what I would do if I were the team’s general manager (trust me, no one should want me in that chair). Using all of...

steelersdepot.com

Kozora’s final mock draft:

#21: Harmon, DL
#83: Sampson, RB
#123: Thornton, WR
#156: Ewers, QB
#185: Bruener, ILB
#229: McMillon, SS

This looks like a super believable mock draft as well. I’m not wild about Thornton as the WR draft pick, he does have crazy athleticism (6’5” and 4.30 40 time) but he’s basically a purely deep ball guy. I think they really need a route runner type, not another Bryant type of deep ball WR.

Outside of bloodlines I don’t understand why Bruener is mocked to us they are deep at Milb. Would prefer a cb or olb
Smith offense doesn’t use route runners at wr

 

[Buddy Bizarre]

This team has already shown to be willing to move on quickly from a 1st round QB in Pickett, so I wouldn’t worry about them holding on to Sanders for too long if he’s not performing.

I don't totally agree with this take.

They moved on from KP bc he did something to piss off his teammates or Tomlin. It wasn't performance based as they were likely to give him another shot the following year.

That is my fear with them taking a QB in R1- that puts them out of the market for the next 3 years or so

 

[Empoleon8771]

I don't totally agree with this take.

They moved on from KP bc he did something to piss off his teammates or Tomlin. It wasn't performance based as they were likely to give him another shot the following year.

That is my fear with them taking a QB in R1- that puts them out of the market for the next 3 years or so

They brought in Wilson to be the starting QB and then traded Pickett because he demanded a trade. I don't think this team will do anything differently with Sanders if he plays like Pickett did in his first 2 years.

 

[Buddy Bizarre]

They brought in Wilson to be the starting QB and then traded Pickett because he demanded a trade. I don't think this team will do anything differently with Sanders if he plays like Pickett did in his first 2 years.

But that is my point: this team moved on due to KP asking out. Not bc he was sucking (and he did).
If KP doesn't ask for the trade, we see him on the Steelers sidelines last year.

That's my fear: opportunity cost.
You take a QB R1 this year, it's almost a certainty you aren't taking one in rounds 1-3 over the next 1 to 4 years.

So you better hit on it. And I don't trust this coaching staff to develop a QB. Said QB needs to be a generational talent that transcends coaching

 

[Andy99]

This is a good article about why the Steelers shouldn’t take a QB in round one (minus Ward) lol…

2025 NFL Draft: This Year’s QB Class ‘A Lot Like 2022’

Albert Breer examines this year’s group with the help of nine QB-adjacent offensive coaches from nine different teams, and it’s not good news.

www.si.com

And here’s a mock draft that has them taking Milroe in Round one lol…please lord don’t let Tomlin be this stupid…if they can’t trade down, don’t a QB in round one…

2025 NFL Mock Draft 9.0: Steelers Take Unexpected QB at No. 21

Conor Orr predicts the Raiders will make two trades, the Saints grab Ashton Jeanty and Pittsburgh takes a big swing. Plus, projecting for the whole first round.

www.si.com

 

[Empoleon8771]

But that is my point: this team moved on due to KP asking out. Not bc he was sucking (and he did).
If KP doesn't ask for the trade, we see him on the Steelers sidelines last year.

That's my fear: opportunity cost.
You take a QB R1 this year, it's almost a certainty you aren't taking one in rounds 1-3 over the next 1 to 4 years.

So you better hit on it. And I don't trust this coaching staff to develop a QB. Said QB needs to be a generational talent that transcends coaching

The team moved on from Pickett when they signed Wilson to be the starting QB. Who cares if Pickett would have been on the sidelines? They replaced Pickett as the starting QB after only 2 years, whether they traded Pickett or kept Pickett doesn't change that they took away his starting QB role after 2 years.

 

[nsvoyageurs]

But that is my point: this team moved on due to KP asking out. Not bc he was sucking (and he did).
If KP doesn't ask for the trade, we see him on the Steelers sidelines last year.

That's my fear: opportunity cost.
You take a QB R1 this year, it's almost a certainty you aren't taking one in rounds 1-3 over the next 1 to 4 years.

So you better hit on it. And I don't trust this coaching staff to develop a QB. Said QB needs to be a generational talent that transcends coaching

This. I don't want any QB from this draft until the 6th or 7th round developmental guy; they need a 3rd and 4th (likely a UDFA) QB anyway for minicamps/training camp/preseason games. Just let Rudolph play out the season, sign a cheap veteran backup and whatever happens happens. Put yourself into a position to get one of the top QBs next year.

I have zero confidence this coaching staff can develop any QB that isn't a "can't miss"/not even they can bleep him up. There aren't any of those in this year's draft.

 

[Empoleon8771]

This. I don't want any QB from this draft until the 6th or 7th round developmental guy; they need a 3rd and 4th (likely a UDFA) QB anyway for minicamps/training camp/preseason games. Just let Rudolph play out the season, sign a cheap veteran backup and whatever happens happens. Put yourself into a position to get one of the top QBs next year.

I have zero confidence this coaching staff can develop any QB that isn't a "can't miss"/not even they can bleep him up. There aren't any of those in this year's draft.

What if this team goes 9-8 again next year and are picking #20 again? Do you just say "let's wait until 2027"?

That's why I don't like the idea of passing on Sanders for an unnamed better option. There's no guarantee you're ever in a position to get a better guy and there's no guarantee you can trade up to get that guy.

 

[xlm34]

I just kind of hope the Giants or Browns trade up and take away the choice. Without that, he’s gonna be there at 21 and I don’t think the Steelers can resist.

And like…I’d get the pick, but I think it’ll put this team in a different type of QB purgatory.

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

I’m not very confident in my football scouting takes but boy do I see what people are talking about with the Ole Miss offense not having many NFL concepts when I watch Dart highlights.

I feel like that is the type of thing where

a) he busts and everyone is like “Ole Miss scheme kept him from making NFL throws so no one knew how bad he actually was”

b) he’s a beast and the story is “Ole Miss scheme kept him from making NFL throws so no one knew how good he actually was”

 

[Buddy Bizarre]

The team moved on from Pickett when they signed Wilson to be the starting QB. Who cares if Pickett would have been on the sidelines? They replaced Pickett as the starting QB after only 2 years, whether they traded Pickett or kept Pickett doesn't change that they took away his starting QB role after 2 years.

Because...(and this is the crux of my argument), if KP was still on the team, it's highly unlikely we're talking about taking any high QB this offseason. They'd let KP have another kick at the can.

As long as that recent R1 QB is around, it's poor optics for them to take another one so soon. I don't agree with it, but that's their philosophy.

Milroe/Dart/Sanders...if that's the selection we're out of the QB draft market for at least 2028. That's frightening to me. Especially since whoever the pick is, they'll make him a glorified handoff monkey anyway.

 

[Empoleon8771]

Because...(and this is the crux of my argument), if KP was still on the team, it's highly unlikely we're talking about taking any high QB this offseason. They'd let KP have another kick at the can.

As long as that recent R1 QB is around, it's poor optics for them to take another one so soon. I don't agree with it, but that's their philosophy.

Milroe/Dart/Sanders...if that's the selection we're out of the QB draft market for at least 2028. That's frightening to me. Especially since whoever the pick is, they'll make him a glorified handoff monkey anyway.

Again, I don't see any reason to think this. Nothing with how they handled Pickett makes me think this is the case.

They would likely be giving Dart or Sanders the 2025-2027 window to see if they can be anything, especially because I would imagine their 2025 season would ideally be a redshirt year. But if they suck, the Pickett situation showed they will not hesitate to move on from him as a starter. They may not fully trade them like Pickett, but they will bring in better options for QB if Sanders sucks.

They'll only give Sanders until 2028 if he actually shows to be starting caliber.

 

[Andy99]

Steelers should really being doing their due diligence on the 2026 QB class and marshaling their draft capital there to trade up if need be for their preferred candidate, who likely will be loads better than anyone at #21 this year…I don’t have any issue with them taking a project QB like Milroe to develop as well, but it shouldn’t be with their #1 pick…trade down or take some options available in the 3rd or 4th round…

 

[MrBrightside]

What if this team goes 9-8 again next year and are picking #20 again? Do you just say "let's wait until 2027"?

That's why I don't like the idea of passing on Sanders for an unnamed better option. There's no guarantee you're ever in a position to get a better guy and there's no guarantee you can trade up to get that guy.

I'm not a fan of drafting Sanders but yes, this is correct. The assumption everyone seems to have that they'll get a franchise QB next year in the draft is bizarre given that they almost certainly won't be picking top 10-15 and who knows how many of these QB's will both come out and be star quality. You get a QB when you can - you don't wait and let perfect be the enemy of good.

That said, I really just don't think Sanders is a good fit. He's a less athletic 2015 Russell Wilson in many ways - he'll make us all crazy with how he holds the ball and how many sacks he takes.

 

[WickedWrister]

I’m not very confident in my football scouting takes but boy do I see what people are talking about with the Ole Miss offense not having many NFL concepts when I watch Dart highlights.

I feel like that is the type of thing where

a) he busts and everyone is like “Ole Miss scheme kept him from making NFL throws so no one knew how bad he actually was”

b) he’s a beast and the story is “Ole Miss scheme kept him from making NFL throws so no one knew how good he actually was”

Ole Miss offense is fun as hell to watch… problem is that it is not very “Sunday friendly”. So many RPO hitches and designed reads, the QB in that offense is truly a point guard. It’s the same concerns I had with Matt Corral, didn’t have to learn how to read a defense in college.

 

[xlm34]

I’m listening to their pre draft press conference and I don’t get the sense we’ll see a trade back in round one. It’s hard to take anything at face value, but they say like in previous years there are gonna be guys they won’t move off of if they’re on the board.

I’m guessing Harmon and Sanders are two of them.

 

[xlm34]

Ole Miss offense is fun as hell to watch… problem is that it is not very “Sunday friendly”. So many RPO hitches and designed reads, the QB in that offense is truly a point guard. It’s the same concerns I had with Matt Corral, didn’t have to learn how to read a defense in college.

Trading back from two or three would be wild in this draft. There are like 2 actually elite players at premium positions and then a bunch of who knows.

 

[Empoleon8771]

I'm not a fan of drafting Sanders but yes, this is correct. The assumption everyone seems to have that they'll get a franchise QB next year in the draft is bizarre given that they almost certainly won't be picking top 10-15 and who knows how many of these QB's will both come out and be star quality. You get a QB when you can - you don't wait and let perfect be the enemy of good.

That said, I really just don't think Sanders is a good fit. He's a less athletic 2015 Russell Wilson in many ways - he'll make us all crazy with how he holds the ball and how many sacks he takes.

Yeah I'm certainly not sold on Sanders, but I'm just concerned with this "we'll wait until next year to get our perfect QB" idea. What if that "perfect QB" never comes? Do you just kick the can down the road indefinitely until you're actually in a position to get that "perfect QB"? Just because you have a desire to trade up to get that guy doesn't mean you'd actually be able to trade up to do that.

I also think people aren't properly assessing the risk that comes with QBs and how trading up for the "perfect QB" doesn't mean that guy will actually pan out. The Bears traded a 2022 1st and some day 3 picks to move up from #20 to #11 to draft Fields, who didn't end up panning out. Even if the Steelers do the exact same thing to draft say Sellers, it's entirely possible it doesn't pan out the same exact way that Fields didn't pan out. But doing that also means you're out of a 2027 1st and some more picks too.

If you want to trade into the top-5 to get a QB, it's going to be even more expensive. San Francisco traded 2 1sts and a 3rd to move up from #12 to #3 in that same draft. And they got Trey Lance out of the pick, who ended up a complete bust.

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

Ole Miss offense is fun as hell to watch… problem is that it is not very “Sunday friendly”. So many RPO hitches and designed reads, the QB in that offense is truly a point guard. It’s the same concerns I had with Matt Corral, didn’t have to learn how to read a defense in college.

100%

Throwing ole miss on vs NFL tape is pretty stark.

I find it hard to hate any QB as the pick or anywhere in the draft. I don’t really want Sanders. But that’s bc I don’t wanna root for Shedeur because he seems like he plays for Sanders Inc, and not Colorado or Pittsburgh.

Like do I agree the most optimal thing is we wait and somehow draft top 3 next year? But is that realistic? Ive said this before but I feel like QB drafting is so random that if we take one, whatever. Wouldn’t be what I do but I kinda don’t care. We’re drafting at 21. Obv you can get good players there or lower but it’s not like it is likely we’re passing on Miles Garrett or Aaron Donald. Just do what you want because it seems like luck > talent eval. And by drafting a QB at every chance you get to do so you’re at least giving yourself the opportunity to be lucky.

 

[Empoleon8771]

100%

Throwing ole miss on vs NFL tape is pretty stark.

I find it hard to hate any QB as the pick or anywhere in the draft. I don’t really want Sanders. But that’s bc I don’t wanna root for Shedeur because he seems like he plays for Sanders Inc, and not Colorado or Pittsburgh.

Like do I agree the most optimal thing is we wait and somehow draft top 3 next year? But is that realistic? Ive said this before but I feel like QB drafting is so random that if we take one, whatever. Wouldn’t be what I do but I kinda don’t care. We’re drafting at 21. Just do what you want because it seems like luck > talent eval. And by drafting a QB at every chance you get to do so you’re at least giving yourself the opportunity to be lucky.

I think this argument is the argument people should be making to justify taking Milroe with a day 2 pick. Don't like using a round 1 pick on Sanders due to his flaws as a QB? I get that entirely, but you need to be making swings at QBs or you won't solve the QB position.

 

[MrBrightside]

Yeah I'm certainly not sold on Sanders, but I'm just concerned with this "we'll wait until next year to get our perfect QB" idea. What if that "perfect QB" never comes? Do you just kick the can down the road indefinitely until you're actually in a position to get that "perfect QB"? Just because you have a desire to trade up to get that guy doesn't mean you'd actually be able to trade up to do that.

I also think people aren't properly assessing the risk that comes with QBs and how trading up for the "perfect QB" doesn't mean that guy will actually pan out. The Bears traded a 2022 1st and some day 3 picks to move up from #20 to #11 to draft Fields, who didn't end up panning out. Even if the Steelers do the exact same thing to draft say Sellers, it's entirely possible it doesn't pan out the same exact way that Fields didn't pan out. But doing that also means you're out of a 2027 1st and some more picks too.

If you want to trade into the top-5 to get a QB, it's going to be even more expensive. San Francisco traded 2 1sts and a 3rd to move up from #12 to #3 in that same draft. And they got Trey Lance out of the pick, who ended up a complete bust.

All of this. Then add in that in the NIL era, not as many guys come out early - would it shock anyone if Arch Manning, who doesn't really need money, decides to spend another year at Texas making millions on NIL/endorsements and banging UT chicks rather than go 3-14 in Cleveland? Anyone who watches Penn State really think Drew Allar is a year away from being a top draft choice? Who knows about Sellers or Nussmeier...hell, it wouldn't shock me at all if the highest picked QB is someone no one is thinking about right now. You just can't plan the way so many seem to think they should be or are.

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

I think this argument is the argument people should be making to justify taking Milroe with a day 2 pick. Don't like using a round 1 pick on Sanders due to his flaws as a QB? I get that entirely, but you need to be making swings at QBs or you won't solve the QB position.

It’s not really about individual names for me. Personally I would continue to build the roster out and completely avoid this QB class on its surface.

just saying I find it hard to get worked up about them going QB.

We don’t have one. We’re not a particularly good where it’s super pressing to compete for a SB next year. Like whatever. Oh well. Maybe we get lucky.

For instance- go back before the Josh Allen draft. Watch the tape and read the internet scout opinion, or the comment section on articles. Pretty wild Josh Allen is an MVP candidate who’s gonna make a billion dollars playing football.

Similarly, Rosen looked great on tape. Way better than anyone in this class. Crazy he’s gonna be on Wall Street here soon.

So I guess I’m saying- even if it’s not what I want them to do.. if everyone agrees drafting QBs is a crapshoot how can I be mad at Pittsburgh for throwing crap at the wall?

 

[Andy99]

I think this argument is the argument people should be making to justify taking Milroe with a day 2 pick. Don't like using a round 1 pick on Sanders due to his flaws as a QB? I get that entirely, but you need to be making swings at QBs or you won't solve the QB position.

Yeah, as I said, they should take a QB…the question is whether this class is worth taking a QB at #21…you don’t take a QB high just because you need a QB, if you don’t really think he can be a good starter in this league or he has significant flaws…take a flier on someone like Milroe on day 2 who fits that description…

 

[Empoleon8771]

Yeah, as I said, they should take a QB…the question is whether this class is worth taking a QB at #21…you don’t take a QB high just because you need a QB, if you don’t really think he can be a good starter in this league or he has significant flaws…take a flier on someone like Milroe on day 2 who fits that description…

Yeah and assuming Milroe falls to late round 2 or early round 3, you can make him work pretty easily by just trading up a bit with #83 or trading down a bit with #21 to gain an extra late 2nd/early 3rd.

Kipper's draft actually had the Steelers taking Harmon at #21 and trading up with a 2026 3rd to move up from #83 to #68 to take Milroe. To me, that's a pretty ideal outcome if you don't want to use a 1st rounder on Sanders.

 

[Empoleon8771]

For the record, Nick Underhill (New Orleans writer) pretty adamantly said that the Saints are not taking a QB at #9 and will take someone in round 2. Schefter also said that the Saints love Dart but would be looking to take him at #40 or with a trade-up from #40, not at #9.

Seems to basically be a guarantee that Sanders slides outside of the top-10, just a question if anyone trades up to get him before the Steelers pick.