In the first of our annual series of pre-NFL draft podcasts, Steelers Nation Radio host and TribLIVE Steelers film analyst Matt Williamson joined us to break down the quarterbacks in this year’s draft.
Since Ben Roethlisberger retired, you may have seen — or heard — their names a few (thousand) times in connection with the Steelers and their 20th first-round pick Thursday.
Right off the bat, I asked Williamson, a former pro and college scout, how he viewed this year’s class in the NFL.
“I think you asked me the hardest question you could have asked me to start the podcast,” Williamson said. “Of all the things we’re going to talk about, I’ll bet I’m more confident in my answers (to all of them) than this one. I don’t have a good sense of what the league thinks of this class of quarterback. And more specifically, I don’t know what the Steelers think of them. I have mixed feelings.”
However, Williamson believes there are starting caliber signal callers in the class and thinks these QBs have been scrutinized a bit unfairly. Since this draft isn’t considered particularly strong at the top of the board, the idea of swinging big for a quarterback appeals to him.
“This draft is so weak up front why not shoot at a QB. A franchise quarterback makes so much sense economically (on a five-year first-round contract),” Williamson continued.
Regarding the Steelers, Williamson was willing to make that prediction regarding Liberty’s Malik Willis.
“I don’t think he’ll get past the Steelers. I think if he’s there when he’s 20, they’ll definitely take him,” Williamson said. “I don’t think they will trade. But if they go from 20 to 17, I think that’s a possibility too.”
However, there have been some rumors lately that Willis could be going to the Detroit Lions as the No. 2, given that the Lions also own partial final draft picks in Round 1. The thought is that the Lions could bet Willis high early Thursday night and address another position later in the evening.
Williamson doesn’t buy that. In fact, he could see the opposite scenario unfolding.
“I used to think that was a strong possibility,” Williamson said. “But I think the Lions are more likely to take either of the two pass rushers — Travon Walker (Georgia) or Aidan Hutchinson (Michigan) — whichever falls to them. And then maybe Desmond Ridder (Cincinnati) or Matt Corral (Mississippi) at 32. I’m not saying the Lions won’t get their quarterback. You might catch him late rather than early.”
One team that could be a wild card when it comes to picking Willis or Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett is the 6th-ranked Carolina Panthers. Williamson sees them as a definite opportunity to pick a quarterback, regardless of Detroit taking one early or not.
Other options include the New Orleans Saints (Nos. 16 and 19), Atlanta Falcons (8) and Seattle Seahawks (9). But Williamson is less convinced they’re going in that direction.
In my opinion, if the Steelers honestly and honestly drool at the prospect of making one of these QBs their franchise player in that position, then they should call him up. Trade to get him when needed. If you are 100% convinced that Willis, Pickett, Corral, Ridder or Sam Howell (North Carolina) is the worthy successor to Roethlisberger, then forget what everyone else is thinking and go get him.
I don’t see it in any of these guys myself. But if they do, they shouldn’t wait until next year because the quarterback position is so unique. That was the thought when they drafted Roethlisberger in 2004. They should now think about the position again.
So I presented Williamson with this unlikely – but very juicy – scenario: What if Willis and Pickett are both still available at #20? Would you pick one of them before picking any of the receivers, defensemen, or linebackers that were thrown around as options for the Steelers in the first round?
“Willi, yes. Pickett, no,” Williamson said. “There are a few guys I could maybe take before him. Jameson Williams (WR/Alabama) is one of them. But if I could trade the 20th pick for Willis right now, I would. I think they would. I wouldn’t do it for any other QB.”
no Not even Pickett. Williamson explained why.
“I just want quarterback home runs,” Williamson said. “If the Steelers call up Willis at 20 and he’s just goddamn it doesn’t hurt you that much. Get back in the well in a year or two. Or get the next (Mitch) Trubisky. But if (Willis) scores? Wow! But I don’t want to be in Kirk Cousins country. And I think Pickett is in Kirk Cousins country.”
In other words, good enough to have long NFL durability as a starter and put up some decent stats and a few winning seasons. Not good enough to win Super Bowls.
Also on the podcast, Williamson and I discuss whether the Steelers might have an interest in Ridder, Corral or Sam Howell in the second round. We’re talking about a couple of surprise teams that could take a QB late in Round 1. And Matt named a QB he likes more than Pickett but not as much as Willis.
Listen: Tim Benz and Matt Williamson discuss the NFL Draft and the Steelers
Tim Benz is a contributor to the Tribune Review. You can contact Tim at [email protected] or via Twitter. All tweets could be reposted. All emails are subject to publication unless otherwise noted.