Steelers Select Day 2 QB in First Round of Latest Mock Draft
Jordan Plocher of Pro Football Focus believes the Pittsburgh Steelers will reach for a quarterback in the 2025 NFL Draft.
There is growing belief that the Pittsburgh Steelers will use their first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft on a quarterback whether or not Aaron Rodgers signs with the team. Jordan Plocher of Pro Football Focus takes that to another level in his latest mock draft.
Plocher has the Steelers selecting Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe at pick No. 21.
“Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith is drooling over the thought of having a rushing threat at quarterback. In 2024, Milroe earned an 81.8 PFF rushing grade and forced 32 missed tackles on the ground,” Plocher writes. “Milroe ran a reported 4.40-second 40-yard dash at Alabama’s pro day, so he brings rare speed to the quarterback position. Smith’s run-first offensive approach will ease his NFL development, as he won’t be asked to drop back and throw the ball 40 times per game.”
Milroe, 22, is an intriguing prospect. Over the past two seasons, he threw for 5,678 yards, 39 touchdowns and 17 interceptions. He also rushed for 1,257 yards and 32 touchdowns.
However, he is projected to be a Day 2 pick as he ranks as the consensus No. 41 overall player and fourth best quarterback on the NFL Mock Draft Database big board.
That does align with Pocher’s mock draft. Quarterbacks Cam Ward of Miami (No. 1 to Tennessee Titans), Shedeur Sanders of Colorado (No. 3 to New York Giants) and Jaxson Dart of Ole Miss (No. 9 to New Orleans Saints) were all off the board by the time Pittsburgh was on the clock.
That doesn’t mean the Steelers should risk using first-round draft capital on Milroe, though. He is a bit of a project as he has struggled with accuracy and decision-making in the pocket. If he can find a way to put it all together, his ceiling may be the highest of the class, but that’s a big if.
There’s no doubt Pittsburgh is interested in Milroe. General manager Omar Khan, head coach Mike Tomlin and quarterbacks coach Tom Arth wined and dined the Alabama product ahead of his pro day. But the team has several other needs it could address in the first round.
Many around the league think there’s a chance Milroe could sneak into the first round after he accepted an invitation to attend the 2025 NFL Draft in Green Bay. Could the Steelers be the team to make that happen?