Todd McShay's post-Russell Wilson trade mock draft has Steelers taking a QB in round 1
Two of the Pittsburgh Steelers' potential quarterback options in 2022 officially came off the market on Tuesday. Aaron Rodgers announced he's returning to the Green Bay Packers and Russell Wilson was traded from the Seattle Seahawks to the Denver Broncos (the AFC West is loaded with quarterback talent, by the way). Both of those options […]
Two of the Pittsburgh Steelers' potential quarterback options in 2022 officially came off the market on Tuesday.
Aaron Rodgers announced he's returning to the Green Bay Packers and Russell Wilson was traded from the Seattle Seahawks to the Denver Broncos (the AFC West is loaded with quarterback talent, by the way).
Both of those options were longshots for the Steelers. But we can now officially rule out Pittsburgh making a trade for either.
The most likely quarterback scenario for the Steelers in 2022 still feels like a veteran quarterback paired with a rookie quarterback. Pittsburgh could trade for someone like Kirk Cousins, or sign a veteran like Mitch Trubisky, and then draft a quarterback in the 2022 NFL Draft.
That's actually the path ESPN draft expert Todd McShay has the Steelers taking.
McShay released his latest mock draft on Wednesday morning and he has Pittsburgh taking Liberty quarterback Malik Willis with the No. 20 overall pick.
We saw the arm strength in Indianapolis. We know he's terrific on second-reaction throws. And it's pretty clear he has the most upside of the class' quarterbacks. Is he ready to take over right away? That's another discussion, and the Steelers might want to sign a Mitchell Trubisky or Teddy Bridgewater to avoid the necessity of throwing Willis out there in Week 1. But Pittsburgh needs a franchise quarterback, and Willis has arm talent, great mobility and outstanding field vision. If developed effectively, he can keep the Steelers — who already have a good defense and some offensive playmakers — relevant in the QB-loaded AFC North.
Willis has been connected to the Steelers a lot since the Senior Bowl last month when Mike Tomlin spent a significant amount of time watching the former Liberty quarterback.
I think most people agree that this would be a great pick for Pittsburgh. The only problem is whether or not Willis will fall this far. He had a great combine and showed off impressive arm strength. There's a real possibility that Willis doesn't make it past the Carolina Panthers at No. 6.
If Willis is there, I think Pittsburgh takes him. But if they go in the draft set on taking him, they might want to look at ways they can trade up. Otherwise, there's no guarantee that he'll be a Steeler.
Featured image via Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
