There's a blockbuster trade the Pittsburgh Steelers should strongly consider making
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin was one of only two head coaches who attended Liberty quarterback Malik Willis' Pro Day on Tuesday. Tomlin and the Steelers likely loved what they saw from Willis on Tuesday. The talented quarterback put on quite a show, displaying his powerful arm and calm demeanor in front of a […]
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin was one of only two head coaches who attended Liberty quarterback Malik Willis' Pro Day on Tuesday.
Tomlin and the Steelers likely loved what they saw from Willis on Tuesday. The talented quarterback put on quite a show, displaying his powerful arm and calm demeanor in front of a litany of scouts and front office personnel.
I don't think it's a stretch to say that Willis is the Steelers' top target in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Drafting Willis would be a dream scenario for Pittsburgh. He wouldn't be rushed into a starting role, thanks to the Stellers' offseason signing of Mitch Trubisky. That would give him a year to develop and then possibly take over as the starter in 2023.
The only problem is that the other head coach in attendance for Willis' Pro Day was Carolina Panthers head coach Matt Rhule.
The Panthers have the No. 6 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft and they badly need a quarterback.
Early in the offseason, I felt like Willis would certainly be available to the Steelers at No. 20. But after his impressive Pro Day, I don't think the Panthers will pass on him. And if Carolina does decide to pass on him, then there are still other quarterback-needy teams that pick in front of the Steelers (Atlanta Falcons, Seattle Seahawks, New Orleans Saints).
That's why I think Pittsburgh should strongly consider making a blockbuster trade with the Detroit Lions.
The Lions have the No. 2 overall pick (the Jacksonville Jaguars have the No. 1 overall pick and don't need a quarterback after selecting Trevor Lawrence last year).
Pittsburgh could offer their first-round pick this year, a fourth-round pick this year (the Steelers have two fourth-round picks this year, with one of those pickings being a compensatory pick, while the Lions don't have a fourth-round pick), and a first-round pick next year. I don't know if that offer gets it done, but that's where I'd start. And I'd start making an offer soon before the Panthers decide they want to move up (getting the No. 6 overall pick would be a lot more attractive to Detroit).
A month ago, I would've called this idea insane. But now, I think it's the best way for the Steelers to proceed this offseason.
I don't know if Willis will turn out to be a Pro-Bowl caliber quarterback. Predicting a quarterback's success in the NFL before they're drafted is one of the hardest things in sports to do. But Willis has all the tools to be successful. And I've always believed that gambling on a rookie quarterback is worth it — you never know when you might end up selecting the next generational talent.
Willis is a great fit for the Steelers. And he already has a great relationship with Tomlin. There's some risk in this trade, but I think Willis is more than worth that risk.
Featured image via Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports
