Is Kyle Trask the perfect fit for the Steelers as a mid-round option?

The Pittsburgh Steelers are one of many NFL organizations who could be looking at a quarterback in the upcoming 2021 NFL Draft. However, unlike the other franchises who are looking to add to their current quarterback depth chart, the Steelers possess the 24th overall pick.

Not really conducive to getting a top tier prospect at the most important position in the game.

The Steelers have a tremendous list of needs, mainly along the offensive line, which has many thinking they might skip the quarterback position in Round 1, and possibly taking a quarterback in Rounds 2-3.

This practice is mostly frowned upon, considering quarterbacks who aren’t taken in the early portions of the first round typically don’t pan out. Nonetheless, some are putting Kyle Trask, University of Florida, as a player who could take time to develop, but eventually be a starter in the league.

Would someone like Trask be an answer for the Steelers’ quarterback conundrum? Everyone’s favorite draft guru, Mel Kiper Jr., even said he can see Trask going to the Steelers in Round 2.

I did some digging on Trask, and put together a brief synopsis of the kind of player he is, and will be when becoming a professional. Below you’ll see draft profile breakdowns, film room breakdowns and game film for you to enjoy.

Don’t listen to me, or anyone else, form your own opinion on Trask. I plan on doing this for other prospects as the draft approaches. If there is a specific player you’d like to see covered, simply let me know and I’ll be glad to put it together!

Let us know your thoughts on Trask in the comment section below, and be sure to stay tuned to BTSC for the latest news and notes surrounding the Steelers as they prepare for the new league year, NFL Free Agency and the 2021 NFL Draft.

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Draft Profiles

The Draft Network

Trask is a stoutly-built QB prospect that’s a prime example of perseverance and patience. Not becoming a full-time starter until his redshirt junior season, he had to show maximum amounts of patience prior to getting his chance under center. Going on to have a prolific career, he became a supreme leader for the Gators. A decisive and quick operator, he’s a highly intelligent thrower that often attacks with a plan. He has thorough knowledge and smarts to attack all three levels of the field, as he’s experienced reads in many different manners. A “grip it and rip it” thrower of quick game concepts on the perimeter, he’s at his best when on schedule and able to take advantage of leverage throws. Trask’s biggest challenges come the further down the field and when forced to play outside of the normal structure of the offense. A slew-footed operator, he doesn’t have the athleticism necessary to consistently make off-script plays. An often-used option on designed QB runs, his big frame is an asset on runs during short conversion situations. Trask’s lower half may need to be reconstructed as it is the root of why most of his passes die in the deeper portions of the field. Similar to his surroundings in college, in order to reach/see his full potential, he will need to have an adequate play-caller, protection, and playmakers around him.

Ideal Role: Developmental QB that could lead to being an eventual lower-tier starter.

Scheme Fit: West Coast or Erhardt-Perkins offensive system—quick rhythm-based throws with periodic deep shots down the field.

Walter Football

Strengths:

• Exceptional pocket presence
• Deadly pocket-passing ability
• Accurate passer
• Good ball placement
• Can beat good coverage with pass placement
• Throws a very catchable ball
• Quality arm
• Good field vision
• Works off his first read
• Sees the field well
• Intelligent
• Pocket composure
• Good decision maker
• Good timing
• Flashes anticipation
• Able to loft in touch passes
• Leads receivers for more yardage after the catch
• Good internal clock
• Hangs tough in the pocket
• Toughness
• Willing to take hits while delivering throws
• Mastered his offense
• Intangibles
• Hard worker
• Good character
• Good fit for a west coast offense
• Success against good competition

Weaknesses:

• Statue in the pocket
• Not a running threat
• Needs to improve pocket manipulation
• Struggles to avoid the rush
• Can’t bail out his offensive line
• Enough arm, but not an overwhelming cannon
• Might be more of a game manager in the NFL

Pro Football Network

Kyle Trask NFL Draft Profile

• Height: 6’5″
• Weight: 240 pounds
• Position: Quarterback
• School: Florida
• Year: Redshirt Senior

Kyle Trask is not your average college football quarterback. Unlike fellow 2021 NFL Draft prospects Trevor Lawrence and Justin Fields, Trask wasn’t a highly-ranked, heavily-recruited high school quarterback. His meteoric rise to college football fame is more corresponding to Joe Burrow following his transfer from Ohio State. Yet, despite the over-used comparison to the last quarterback who set the Southeastern Conference on fire, Trask is different from Burrow in many ways.

Trask’s journey is far more unlikely, and his 2021 NFL Draft projection is far more complicated

Kyle Trask has traveled his path to the NFL draft in the shadows rather than the spotlight. He spent his high school career as the backup to D’Eriq King. Although he started as a freshman for the Manvel High Mavericks, Trask spent more time riding the pine than putting up points.

That’s not to say he wasn’t successful when the opportunity arose. During his junior and senior season at Manvel, he threw sixteen touchdowns to zero interceptions. Despite not starting a single game, he put up 1,545 passing yards. Trask provided a glimpse into his most valuable trait — accuracy, with a completion percentage over 70% in his final two years at Manvel.

Fan Nation

Overview:

Coming into the 2019 season, Trask was a little-used backup who hadn’t started a game since his freshman year of high school. He took every advantage of opportunity, representing the best quarterback play we’ve seen for the Gators for some time. Boasting a big frame with above average arm strength, Trask displays velocity, driving the football outside the numbers with relative ease. He is a tough dude inside of the pocket, staying cool and calm under pressure. The bargain bin Carson Wentz model has shown a ton of growth in his limited opportunity as a Gator.

The arrow is clearly pointing up, with some notable upside moving forward. Despite having a good head on his shoulders, Trask can be victim to some puzzling decision-making due to his lack of experience. He struggles at times to work off his first read, forcing the ball into adverse situations. As an athlete, Trask is never going to threaten much outside of structure. It is all about live reps now for Trask, with the ability to remain patient. With a big frame, arm strength and pocket toughness, Trask is the perfect developmental prospect who may have some starter upside down the road in the right situation.

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Breakdowns

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Game Film

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Other Breakdowns