SI Mock Draft Has Steelers Taking Alabama QB Mac Jones in First Round

Sports Illustrated NFL insider Albert Breer has the Steelers addressing the future of their quarterback position in the first round of his mock NFL Draft.

Breer has the Steelers selecting Alabama quarterback Mac Jones in his first mock draft, released on Thursday, and thinks that will be the case because of connections between Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert and the Crimson Tide program.

“Colbert’s connections in Tuscaloosa may have influenced my decision on this one, because I know how the Bama staff feels about Jones,” Breer wrote. “So Colbert gets his Ben Roethlisberger heir here.”

Colbert and head coach Mike Tomlin were at Alabama’s pro day, where they watched Jones and offensive lineman Alex Leatherwood while other Pittsburgh targets center Landon Dickerson, running back Najee Harris and linebacker Dylan Moses did not participate with injuries.

Jones passed for 4,500 yards in 2020 for Alabama and threw for 41 touchdowns compared to four interceptions while leading the Tide to a College Football Playoff national championship.

Roethlisberger will be expected to be the team’s starting quarterback in 2021, but both he and backup Mason Rudolph are entering the final seasons of their contracts.