Steelers set up private workout with Texas Tech QB Patrick Mahomes

Earlier this week when Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin spoke with media at the annual NFL owners’ meeting, he spoke about how they are doing their homework on the quarterback class heading into the 2017 NFL Draft.

This didn’t shock anyone, and was probably more expected than anything. After Ben Roethlisberger mentioned the possibility of retirement, the team saw the time is sooner, rather than later, to find a quarterback with potential who could learn behind No. 7 for a year or two, maybe three, before getting a shot to take the reigns.

The team has scouted almost every quarterback about to enter the draft, but reports have stated the team is planning a private workout with Texas Tech quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

Mahomes is a tough prospect to gauge, considering he operated out of the traditional Texas Tech “air raid” offense, and would need time to adapt to the NFL’s pro style of offense. Nonetheless, Mahomes’ talent is undeniable when watching film of his final year in college.

The question many people are asking is whether the Steelers will even get a chance at drafting him, even in the first round. With Pittsburgh selecting 30th, some are projecting there is no way Mahomes makes it past the Houston Texans, but the New Orleans Saints have also showed a tremendous amount of interest in the strong-arm quarterback.

Would the Steelers draft a quarterback in the first round? Would they trade up to make that pick?

Those are questions that will only be answered with time, but the majority of Steelers fans will probably argue there isn’t a quarterback worthy of a first round selection in this year’s draft, and the team has more pressing needs heading into 2017.