Steelers' 2024 NFL Draft: A Deep Dive Into Quarterback Needs

Chloe Fitzgerald

5 min read

Post on May 22, 2025

4.1

Share

Evaluating the Current Quarterback Roster

The Steelers' current quarterback room presents a mixed bag. Kenny Pickett, the team's 2022 first-round pick, showed flashes of potential but also inconsistency throughout his rookie season. Mason Rudolph remains as a veteran backup, offering experience but lacking the upside to be a long-term solution. Evaluating their strengths and weaknesses is crucial to determining the team's draft strategy.

• Kenny Pickett's statistical performance and areas for growth: Pickett displayed moments of brilliance, but his completion percentage and turnover rate need improvement. His pocket presence and decision-making under pressure are areas that require significant development. Improving his deep ball accuracy is also key to unlocking his full potential as a Steelers QB.
• Mason Rudolph's experience and potential role as a backup: Rudolph's experience provides valuable depth, but his ceiling as a starting quarterback is limited. He serves as a capable backup, but not a long-term answer for the Steelers’ quarterback depth chart.
• Discussion on the team's confidence in the current roster: While the Steelers likely believe in Pickett's potential, his inconsistent performance and the lack of a clear alternative beyond Rudolph strongly suggest the team will actively seek to upgrade the position in the upcoming draft.

Projecting the 2024 NFL Draft's Top Quarterback Prospects

The 2024 NFL Draft is projected to feature a solid, albeit not spectacular, class of quarterbacks. Several players could potentially be available to the Steelers, depending on their final draft position. Analyzing these prospects' college careers and projected draft positions is critical to understanding the potential options available to Pittsburgh.

• Analysis of potential first-round quarterbacks: Several college quarterbacks are expected to be in contention for first-round selections. Their strengths and weaknesses will be carefully scrutinized by the Steelers' scouting department. Factors like arm strength, accuracy, pocket mobility, and leadership qualities will play a critical role in the evaluation process.
• Discussion of potential later-round steals: The later rounds of the draft often present opportunities to find hidden gems. Players who may have slipped due to injury or other factors could represent excellent value for the Steelers, even if they are not considered top-tier 2024 NFL Draft QBs.
• Comparison of QB prospects' strengths and weaknesses: A comprehensive comparison of the available quarterbacks will consider their overall skill sets, their fit within the Steelers’ offensive scheme, and their potential for growth at the NFL level. Draft rankings quarterbacks will likely fluctuate significantly throughout the pre-draft process.

The Steelers' Draft Position and Potential Picks

The Steelers' draft position will significantly impact their options. Their 2023-24 season performance will determine whether they pick high enough to select one of the top quarterback prospects. A strong season could push them further down the draft order, limiting their choices to later-round options or necessitating a trade-up.

• Analysis of Steelers' potential draft capital: The number of draft picks the Steelers possess and their overall draft capital will play a key role in their draft strategy. Multiple picks could allow for more flexibility in trading up or acquiring additional players.
• Discussion of the value of early vs. late-round QB selections: Drafting a quarterback early provides the best opportunity to secure a franchise player, but it also carries a greater risk. Late-round selections offer better value but come with less certainty regarding their potential.
• Potential trade-up or trade-down scenarios: Depending on the available quarterbacks and the Steelers’ draft position, trading up to secure a desired prospect or trading down to accumulate more picks is a viable strategy. The Steelers’ draft picks are essential to their long-term success.

Alternative Strategies for Addressing Quarterback Needs

The Steelers are not solely reliant on the draft. Free agency offers another avenue to address their quarterback needs, although with its own set of risks and rewards.

• Analysis of available free agent quarterbacks: The free agent market may offer veteran quarterbacks with proven experience. However, the quality of available free agents varies greatly from year to year.
• Evaluation of the costs and risks associated with free agency: Signing a free agent quarterback often involves a significant financial commitment, and there is no guarantee that the player will perform as expected. The Steelers’ free agency strategy must be carefully calculated.
• Comparison of drafting vs. signing a free agent quarterback: Each approach presents distinct advantages and disadvantages. The Steelers must carefully weigh the long-term implications of each strategy. The Steelers QB strategy will need to be adaptive based on market conditions.

Steelers' 2024 NFL Draft Quarterback Needs – A Final Assessment

The Steelers' need for a reliable, long-term quarterback solution is undeniable. Their 2024 NFL Draft strategy will hinge on their final draft position, the quality of available quarterback prospects, and the performance of their current roster. Successfully navigating these factors will be crucial to the team's future success. What are your thoughts on the Steelers' 2024 NFL Draft quarterback needs? Share your predictions in the comments below! [Link to Steelers forum, if available]