Mel Kiper explains what quarterbacks could be available in Round 1 for Steelers
An end of an era is upon the Pittsburgh Steelers, with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger likely retiring soon. For 17 years, he has been the starter for the black and gold but Sunday’s playoff loss to the Kansas City Chiefs was likely the last dance.
If/when Roethlisberger officially hangs up the cleats, Pittsburgh will be without a franchise quarterback. The trade market could be open but most likely, somebody will have to be found through the NFL draft.
ESPN’s Mel Kiper explained where the Steelers could go, having them select Ole Miss’ Matt Corral in the first round this April.
“[Corral is a] gritty competitor,” Kiper said Wednesday morning on ESPN’s Get Up. “He’s not as big as Ben [Roethlisberger], he doesn’t have that frame, and that’s the concern. But I think you look at the way he played through injury, he’s tremendously mobile and athletic. He has the arm, he can sling it at any point on the field. I think when you look at Kenny Pickett from Pitt, he would be in the mix [for the Steelers], I just had him going a couple of picks earlier to the New Orleans Saints. Where the Steelers are selecting, if they want their guy, say it’s Pickett, they may have to move up a little bit to get them.
“Corral could still be there [at No. 20], Sam Howell of North Carolina will still be there, I have him going to the Detroit Lions late in Round 1 with their second first-round pick for the Lions. So, I think there’s going to be a quarterback that’s there [at No. 20], I don’t know if it’ll be the quarterback that they want. If the quarterback that they identify as the quarterback they have to get, they may have to move up in the draft from where they’re [currently] selecting to get that quarterback.”
Corral would be just the latest SEC quarterback making the jump to a potential starting role in the NFL. Learning under head coach Lane Kiffin at Oxford, Corral broke out in the Rebels’ offense this season with 3,349 yards, 20 touchdowns, and five interceptions.
Pickett could be an interesting choice for the Steelers as well — if he’s still available at No. 20 — keeping the quarterback in the city of Pittsburgh. He was a Heisman finalist for his performance this season, throwing for 4,319 yards, 41 touchdowns, and seven interceptions while completing 67.2% of his throws.
Quarterback options should be available for the Pittsburgh Steelers if they want it in the first round.