The Steelers should pay close attention to the 2022 NCAA QB class

The Steelers haven’t drafted a QB in the first round since 2004 but that could change in 2022

The 2021 NFL season is right around the corner, but, despite being so far removed from actual game action, the Steelers need to start readying themselves for the 2022 NFL Draft. Of course, scouting departments do nothing but prep for each and every draft class 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year, but this year will be a little different. The Steelers should be looking at any move necessary to land a quarterback in the first round of the draft.

The quarterback position is the most important spot in all of sports. Especially in today’s NFL where everything runs through the position. You’re not a contender if you have a bad quarterback, but you will always be in the mix if you have a great one. Steelers fans already know the growing pains it took for the team to find their second ever franchise quarterback after Terry Bradshaw retired in 1983. With today’s style of play, waiting 21 years to find the next great one isn’t an acceptable answer.

Regardless of Ben Roethlisberger returning for another season in 2022, I believe the Steelers need to address this position. The 2022 quarterback class is filled with guys with first round potential, but a good majority of them could use a redshirt year of sorts, much like Patrick Mahomes did sitting behind Alex Smith for a year. No fewer than 12 quarterbacks have a shot at being a first round pick next year. Of course those numbers will shrink and an unknown or two will join the mix, and it will be up to the Steelers to determine which of them has that elite trait.

Even if Mason Rudolph and/or Dwayne Haskins take another step and have a shot at starting for the Steelers, adding someone to the mix boosts competition and even allows the Steelers to regain draft picks by trading one of them away. Regardless of anyone currently on the Steelers roster today making it to next season, I would strongly consider the quarterback position to sit atop the Steelers’ draft board in 2022.

But what do you think? Should the Steelers put any extra work in watching draft eligible quarterbacks this year? Let us know why or why not in the comments below.