NFL Draft: 3 dark horse quarterbacks Steelers should take to succeed Ben Roethlisberger

If a sixth quarterback does go in the first round this year, this is the guy

For the first time since 1983, there could be six quarterbacks taken in the first round. Five are locks with Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence, BYU’s Zach Wilson, Ohio State’s Justin Fields, North Dakota State’s Trey Lance and Alabama’s Mac Jones. For there to be a sixth, that would require somebody taking Kyle Trask out of Florida somewhere in the 20s or the very early 30s. It might be Pittsburgh.

Taking Trask with the No. 24 overall pick would be a reach, but if the Steelers were to move back a few spots it might be worthwhile. Think of Pittsburgh treating a potential Trask selection like the arch-rival Baltimore Ravens did with Lamar Jackson back in 2018. Getting that fifth-year option would be a very sound move for a team that could be in on Trask. He could thrive in Pittsburgh.

Trask had no issues holding a clipboard in high school or college, backing up D’Eriq King and Feleipe Franks before really getting his opportunity to shine. He is about a year or two from being pro-ready, which falls right in line with the Steelers’ overall competitive life cycle. The borderline first-round talent could be ready to take over for Roethlisberger as early as 2022, but likely 2023.

In his redshirt senior season at Florida, Trask completed 68.9 percent of his passes for 4,283 yards, 43 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Florida won the SEC East for the first time since 2016. Trask would be a finalist for the Heisman Trophy, putting together the best season by a Florida quarterback since Tim Tebow starred in Gainesville. Trask projects as a future NFL starter.

Overall, the Steelers will have many opportunities to take a quarterback, should they feel so inclined. It would serve them to add one this offseason because the 2022 NFL Draft does not project to be a great one for the quarterback position. Pittsburgh does not need to put itself in a desperate situation heading into next spring. This is why the Steelers need to draft one in 2021.

While the Steelers should take a quarterback, they do not have to take one in the first round.