The Pittsburgh Steelers have had some very good drafts over the last two seasons, but prior to that, Pittsburgh struggled to perform well in the event. From 2017 through 2022 only one first-round pick is still on the roster, and that is star outside linebacker TJ Watt. The organization struggled to cash in on its first selections of drafts, which is a big reason the Steelers are in this current state of mediocrity, and it is a big reason why Pittsburgh has not won a playoff game since the 2016 season.
Pittsburgh's first picks from 2018 through 2020 were completely abysmal. The organization traded up for Devin Bush in 2019, and that pick wound up being a bad decision by the front office. In 2020, the franchise did not have a first-round selection due to the Minkah Fitzpatrick trade with the Miami Dolphins, but the organization chose Chase Claypool with its second-round pick. Claypool was picked 49th overall, while the Philadelphia Eagles were able to pick Jalen Hurts with the 53rd overall pick.
It was clear Ben Roethlisberger's career was coming to an end, yet the Steelers passed up on Hurts despite players like Fitzpatrick lobbying for him. The Steelers may have a chance to re-write that mistake, as analyst Dan Analyst sees a lot of Hurts in a prospect like Jaxson Dart, which he shared on the Ross Tucker Football Podcast.
"I went into it with, I guess, average expectations and I watch his tape, and I go 'I really like his tape, there's a lot of Jalen Hurts in his game.'" Orlovsky said. "Every game I studied, I liked him more and more and more."
Claypool played decently for Pittsburgh for about two years, but the quarterback position is the most important in all of sports. It should always be prioritized over any other positions, and had the Steelers had that foresight the current quarterback issues would be non-existent.
Hurt has excelled in Philadelphia. Hurts has been the starting quarterback for the Eagles ever since the start of the 2021 season, and he has led Philadelphia to the playoffs in every season as a starter. He led Philadelphia to Super Bowl LVII where they lost to the Kansas City Chiefs, but he got his revenge during the 2024 season as the Eagles dominated the Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX.
The Steelers probably regret their decision, but the organization may have the opportunity to select Dart with the 21st overall pick if he falls to them. Dart is an intriguing prospect who some believe could go in the top 10, while there are some analysts who don't have a first-round grade on the quarterback.
Dart has a good mix of athleticism for the quarterback position, and he would be an interesting quarterback to have throwing to DK Metcalf and George Pickens. Pittsburgh would likely want to be able to sit Dart for a season so he can develop, but that might not be a possibility with the current quarterback situation in Pittsburgh.
Steelers May Be Scared To Take A Quarterback
The Steelers most recently spent a premium pick on a quarterback in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft when the franchise picked Kenny Pickett. Pickett spent some time as the starter in 2022 before entering the 2023 season as the number one quarterback, but his play was inconsistent and the organization traded him during the 2024 offseason. He won a Super Bowl as Hurts' backup, and was traded again during the 2024 offseason to the Cleveland Browns.
Pickett not working out in Pittsburgh could make the organization a bit cautious when it comes to picking another quarterback, especially one that falls down the draft board.
Do you see any similarities between Dart and Hurts?
