Steelers 2017 NFL Draft Scenario 1.0: Sought after QB falls to Pittsburgh in Round 1

The future is now for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and with the 2017 NFL Draft just over a week away it is time we go through specific scenarios and discuss just what could go right, and wrong, with the Steelers in the first round of the draft.

We will be doing almost one scenario a day leading up to the draft, which will always provide a different result, as well as the explanation behind the selection.

Time for the Steelers 2017 NFL Draft scenario 1.0.

Scenario: Drafting 30th, the majority of their prime candidates at both EDGE/LB and CB are off the board. Takkarist McKinley, Taco Charlton, Zach Cunningham, Haason Reddick, Derek Barnett and T.J. Watt are all off the board. Along with those big name linebackers off the board, Gareon Conley, Tre’Davisous White and Marshon Lattimore have also been selected.

What might be the biggest surprise is the order which the quarterbacks were selected. Mitch Trubisky was the first quarterback taken, and Deshaun Watson and Deshone Kizer were next off the board. This let Patrick Mahomes, Nate Peterman, Jerod Evans and even Davis Webb available for the taking.

With versatile playmakers like Jabrill Peppers and Obi Melifonwu still on the board, the Steelers have options at several different positions.

Steelers Pick: If the Steelers are serious about replacing Ben Roethlisberger in the near future, taking a quarterback in Round 1 isn’t out of the picture. It was tempting to go with Obi Melifonwu in the first round, but there is value at the safety and cornerback position in the later rounds. While some might think Lawson in the pick here, or Charles Harris who is also still on the board, the belief is the Steelers are still capable of getting a pass rusher on Day 2.

With that said, the Steelers shock a lot of draft analysts by ignoring those other positions and take Patrick Mahomes with the 30th pick in the draft, putting the replacement plan for Roethlisberger in place.

Analysis: For the first time in a long time, the Steelers are entertaining several positions with their first round pick. It all depends how things shake down. There is a strong chance Mahomes will be off the board, which will move another player to ‘available’ status. In this specific scenario, addressing the need at quarterback, and the future of the organization, trumped the need for a pass rusher or cornerback who, in my opinion, isn’t worth a first round draft pick.